Online TEFL Certificates, Diplomas, Masters, and PhDs

Updated 6 April 2016

Why Study Online?
The US Department of Education has recently released a study that shows that students who study online perform better. If you're considering online education, do your research since some places will not accept distance degrees.

For example, the Ministry of Education in the UAE doesn't accept them but the Ministry of Higher Education does. This means that you can't teach K-12 with a distance degree but you can teach at university. While the Saudi government doesn't accept online degree, the SACM  often does. The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) requires a letter in a sealed envelope stating the method of instruction. In addition to Saudi, Kuwait, and Qatar also do not accept degrees that include coursework that was done online. Here's some info about teaching with an online degree in Saudi and Qatar as well as ways around the new laws.

If you need to get your foreign degree verified to work in the USA, Foreign Credits has an affordable service and it's the one I'll be using once we got back.  

Certificates and Diplomas

You can find information about TEFL Certificates, short courses, TEFL Diplomas, management diplomas, teacher training certificates, and qualified teaching status (QTS) / teaching licenses, check out this post. Below you will find a number of masters degrees. You can also find more at distance learning schools, affordable online schools, affordable colleges foundation, affordable online degrees, and education degree.

Master Programme Basics
Many people feel that 1 year programmes are inferior than 2 year programmes. However, you have to remember that it's quality, not quantity that matters. "If you factor in skills, such as project and time management, that are required to complete a British Masters within its tight timescale, judgements on quality based on a course's length appear shaky. (Masters of Europe, 2005)".

Be sure to consider how much time you will be expected to devote each week. It’s also worth asking about the graduates. If many people start a programme but few finish you might want to look at another school. There are a many programmes out there: online, on-campus, and blended learning (those that are a mix of the two).

Make sure that you select an accredited programme and ask about online support. There’s nothing like writing a paper and not being able to submit it because there’s a problem with the system. Your professors should be accomplished in the area they teach, have substantial teaching and training experience, as well as publications. Having an adviser who can answer questions is also good. Here is a google doc with info about some popular schools to get an online MA with.

Don’t go for the cheapest programme out there since you usually get what you pay for. If you’re a US citizen look at IEFC. Scholarships (such as those listed at GoodCall) and paying in installments might also be an option. Some universities (such as those in Asia) have been known to offer discounts simply because you're a foreigner. You can often transfer credits from another university, a certification course, or a diploma course (Cambridge ESOL has good info.) Other universities offer credits for proven work experience.

Master Degrees from Australia

• You can find universities in The Good Guides, Markogilvie, andGradschool.com.
• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• Deakin University - MA of TESOL, or MA in Professional Education and Training, or MA in Teaching, or MA in Education, or MEd in Educational Leadership and Administration, or MA in Special Needs
• Macquire University - MA in Applied Linguistics
• Monash University - MA in Education
• University of New England - MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Southern Queensland - MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Tasmania - MA in Education with specialisations in: Professional Learning and School Improvement, Science / Mathematics, Online / ICT, Adult Learning, Global Education, Educational Leadership, Health / Well-being, Literacy, TESOL, and Education Research.
• University of Technology, Sydney - MA in TESOL / Applied Linguistics
• University of Wollongong - Master of Adult Education, Master of Educational Leadership, Master of Higher Education, Master of Information Technology in Education and Training, Master of Literacy Education, Master of TESOL, Master of Vocational Education and Training

Master Degrees from Canada

• You can find universities in Petersons and Grad School Finder
• Athabascau Univeristy - MA in Integrated Studies
• Trinity Western University - MA in TESOL
• University of Calgary - MA in Education Specialisations in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Educational Contexts, Educational Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Technology, Second Language Teaching. TESL, and Workplace and Adult Learning.
• University of Toronto - MEd in Second Language Education. They also have a TEFL cert.

Master Degrees from China

• Oregon-Hanyang - MA TESOL
• Lancaster University in China- Double degree with Lancaster and Shanghai Jiao Tong University - MA in Applied Linguistics.

Masters Degrees from Costa Rica

• Empresarial University of Costa Rica- MA in Education.

Masters Degrees from England

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• You can find universities in Education UK, GTTR, Prospects, and Gradschool.com.
• Aston - MSc in TESOL, or Teaching English for Specific Purposes, or Teaching English to Young Learners, or Educational Management or MSc in Applied Linguistics
• Charles Darwin University - MA in Education, MA in Applied Linguistics
• Lancaster University - MA in English Language or MA in TESOL or MA in Language Testing.
• Lancaster University in China. Double degree with Lancaster and Shanghai Jiao Tong University - MA in Applied Linguistics.
• Lancaster University in Hong Kong - MA in TESOL.
• IH London - Educational Management.
• Notting Hill College - MA in TEFL
• Open University - MA in Education
• Oxford Brookes University - MA in TESOL
• Sheffield Hallam University - MA in TESOL
• University of Birmingham - MA in TEFL or MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Exeter - MEd, MSc in Educational Research, MA in Leadership
• University of Leicester - MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics
• University of Liverpool, in Israel (TASP: Teaching and Studying Programmes)- MA in English Language Teaching (There has been some controversy about this degree so do your research carefully.)
• University of London - MA in TESOL.
• University of London - MA in TESOL
• University of Manchester - MA in TESOL
• University of Nottingham - MA in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching
• University of Portsmouth - MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL
• University of Reading - MA in Applied Linguistics, or MA (Res) in Applied Linguistics, or MA in English Language Teaching.
• University of Sunderland - MA in TESOL, MA in International Education, MA in Education.
• University of York - MA in Teaching English to Young Learners

Masters Degrees from Hong Kong

• Lancaster University - MA in TESOL.

Masters Degrees from Ireland

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• You can find universities in HEA, Postgrad, or CAO

Master Degrees from Israel

• Tel Aviv University - MA TESOL
• University of Haifa - MA TEFL
• University of Liverpool, in Israel (TASP: Teaching and Studying Programmes)- MA in English Language Teaching (There has been some controversy about this degree so do your research carefully.)

Masters Degree from Japan

• Colombia University - MA in TESOL
• Temple University - MSEd in TESOL

Masters Degrees from Korea

• The ebooks Coming to Korea and Living in Korea have lots of good info.
• Catholic University of Daegu - MA in TESOL. They have agreements with the University of Pennslyvania, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, State University of New York, Potsdam.
• Daegu Haany University - MA in TESOL
• Dankook University - MA in TEFL
• Dongduk University - MA in TESOL
• Korea University Graduate School of International Studies -  MA in International Studies
• Hanyang-Oregon - MA TESOL
• Seoul National University of Education - MA in TESOL.
• Sookmyung University - MA in TEFL
• Sungkyunkwan University with Georgetown - MA TESOL
• Woosong University - MA in TESOL-MALL. They have a dual degree option with St. Cloud State in Minnesota.

Masters Degrees from Mexico

• Universidad de las Americas Puebla - MA in Teaching

Masters Degrees from New Zealand

• You can find universities in Kiwi Careers
• Massey University - MA in Literacy Education, MEd, MEd in Educational Leadership
• University of Auckland - MEd in TESOL
• Victoria University - MA in TESOL or MA in Applied Linguisitics

Masters Degrees from Peru

• FUNIBER - MA in TEFL. FUNIBER has a consortium with the University of Piura, Peru and the University of Jaen, Spain.

Masters Degrees from Saudi Arabia

• School for International Training - teaching fellowship with Saudi INTERLINK Language Center at Al Yamamah University (YU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It consists of two summers of full-time study in Vermont and two academic years of full-time teaching at YU. You get a salary, housing, and discounted tuition. More details can be found at "teaching fellowships"at Interlink.

Masters Degrees from Scotland

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• You can find universities in Scotland Gov't
• University of Dundee - MA in Education
• University of Edinburgh - Med in TESOL
• University of St Andrews - MLitt

Masters Degrees from South Africa

• Stellenbosch University - MA in Linguistics
• UNISA - Tehy offer many courses. Here are just a few. MEd. in Education Management, MA in Education Management with dissertation, MA in Linguistics, MA in Linguistics and Translation Studies, MA in Applied Linguistics, MA in Sociolinguistics, MA in TESOL, MA in Curriculum Studies, MA in Comparative and International Education, MA in Early Childhood Development.

Masters Degree from Spain

• FUNIBER - MA in TEFL. FUNIBER has a consortium with the University of Piura, Peru and the University of Jaen, Spain.

Masters Degrees from Thailand

• Papay University - MA in TESOL or MA in Linguistics. This degree is only offered on-campus.

Masters Degrees from Turkey

• Bilkent University - They have 4 MAs: MA in Curriculum and Instruction with Teaching Cert, MA in Curriculum and Instruction, MA in Educational Management, MA in TEFL

Masters Degrees from the United States

• There are many, many universities in the USA; below are just a couple programmes. MA TESOL, 50 States, Graduate Guide, ELearners, My College Guide, Petersons, and Gradschool.com also have good info. Make sure the school isn't blacklisted.
• American College of Education - MA in Education
• American Intercontinental University (AIU) - MEd in Education
• American Military University - MEd Teaching.
• American Public University - MEd in TESOL, MEd in Education Administration and Supervision, MEd in Guidance and Counseling, MEd in Elementary Education, MEd in Gifted Education, MEd in Instructional Leadership, MEd in Reading and Literacy, MEd in Secondary Social Studies, MEd in Special Education,
• American University - MA in TESOL.
• Anaheim - MA in TESOL
• Arizona State University - MA in Bilingual Education, MA in ESL, MEd in Early Childhood Education, MEd in Educational Administration and Supervision, MEd in Board Certification for Behavioral Analyst Focus, MEd-Educational Administration (Principal, PreK-12), MEd in Secondary Education, MEd in Teaching and Learning, Autism Spectrum Focus, MEd in Elementary Education.
• Ashford University - MA in Teaching and Learning with Technology and MA in Education
• Azusa Pacific University - MA in TESOL, MA in TESOL while in Thailand
• Buffalo State - MS in Adult Education
• Columbia International University - MA in TEFL/Intercultural Studies or MEd in Curriculum/Instruction or MEd in Educational Administration
• Concordia University Irvine - MEd Curriculum and Instruction
• Concordia University Portland - MEd in Educational Leadership, MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (concentrations in Environmental Education, Science K-8, Career and Technical Education, elearning/Technology Education, Mathematics K-8, Reading, The Inclusive Classroom, Methods and Curriculum, and ESOL).
• Dominican University - Master of Arts in Education in English as a Second Language
• Drexel University - MSc in Math, MSc in Human Resources, MSc in Learning Technologies, MSc in Teaching / Learning / Curriculum, MSc in Educational Administration, MSc in Global and International Education, Higher Education, MA in Science of Instruction, MSc in Special Education.
• Emporia State University - MA in TESOL
• Fort Hays State University - MA of Liberal Arts with a concentration in ESOL, MSc in Education with a concentration in ESOL
• Framingham State College - MA in TESL or MA in Special Education or MA in International Teaching. Here's the website for the MA in TESL for those living in Korea
• Georgetown with Sungkyunkwan University - MA TESOL
• George Washington University - MEd
• Grand Canyon University - MEd in TESOL
• Harvard University - ALM, Master of Liberal Arts
• Hamline University - MA in Education and MA in ESL.
• Indiana University - MA in English Education, Foreign or Second Language Education, or Literacy / Reading Education
• Kaplan University - MS in Educational Psychology, MS in Education, MA in Teaching - Nationwide, MS in Education in Instructional Technology, MS in Higher Education, MA in Teaching - Iowa Certification 
• Lincoln Christian - MA in TESOL
• Mercy College - MS in TESOL
• Montana State - MEd in Curriculum and Instruction and MEd in Educational Leadership
• Northern Arizona University - MEd in Bilingual / Multicultural Education
• Northwestern University State Louisiana - MA in Education, MA in English
• New School - MA in TESOL
• Oregon - Hanyang Universities - MA TESOL
• Penn State - MEd in Curriculum and Instruction Children's Literature, MEd in Instructional Systems, MEd in Adult Education, MEd in Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Leadership, MEd in Earth Sciences
• Post University - MEd in TESOL, MEd Higher Educational Administration, MEd in Instructional Design and Technology, MED in Online Teaching, MEd in Teaching and Learning 
• Saint Leo University - MEd Reading, MEd Educational Leadership, MEd Exceptional Student Education, MEd Instructional Leadership
• School for International Training - MA in International Education, MA in Teaching, MA in TESL, MA in TESL in Public Schools. SIT also has a teaching fellowship arrangement Al Yamamah University (YU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Scranton University School of Education – MS in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Administration
• Shenadoah University - MA in TESOL
• St. Cloud State University - MA in TESL, licensure in TESL (scroll down)
• SUNY at Albany - MS in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology and MS in Childhood Education.
• Troy University- Master in Postsecondary Education, Counseling and Psychology, Adult Education.
• St. Cloud State in Minnesota. has a dual degree programme with Woosong University - MA in TESOL-MALL.
• University of Cincinnati - MA in TESOL, MEd in Educational Leadership, MEd in Special Education
• University of Georgia - MEd.
• University of Maryland University College (UMUC) - MA in Teaching, MA of Distance Education and E-learning, MA in Instructional Technology
• University of Massachusetts Boston - MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Missouri - MA in TESOL, MA in Early Childhood Education.
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln - MA and MEd in Early Childhood Special Education, MA in Educational Administration, MAT Mathematics, MA and MEd in Special Education, MEd in Educational Administration, MAS Science.
• University of Southern California - MA in Teaching.
• Valdosta State University (VSU) - MEd in Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching, MAT in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education, MEd in Early Childhood Education, MA in English Studies for Language Arts Teachers, MEd in Health and Physical Education, MEd Middle Grades Education Math and Science, MAT Special Education General Curriculum, MAT Special Education Adapted Curriculum.
• Webster - They have agreements with universities all over the world. So you might be able to find a programme.
• Western Governs University (WGU) - They have a number of MA and MEd programmes.
• Western New Mexico University - MA in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Wheaton College - MA in TESOL.

Masters Degrees from Wales

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• Bangor University - MA in Linguistics
• Swansea University - MA TEFL

Distance PhD / EdD Programmes can be found at this post.

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