Educational Endorsements & Graduate Certificates

Overview

East Tennessee State University's Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers several add-on endorsement or graduate certificates 100% online for students who have obtained their bachelor's degree. Teachers can complete the entire program during the summer, fall, or spring as the classes are typically all online.

Interested individuals should be teachers who want a new path, such as teaching in an elementary classroom and seeking to move to middle grades. Additionally, they may have ESL students who they aren’t reaching and this would help them gain a stronger understanding of how to meet the needs of these students. The ESL endorsement also allows them to be an ESL teacher who specifically work with English Language Learners.

Graduate Certificate Program

• English as a Second Language (ESL) PreK-12 Graduate Certificate

  This 18-credit hour program provides advanced coursework directed at instructional practices for individuals who want to teach English learners (ELs) in PreK-12 settings. For current teachers, this certificate program can lead to an additional teacher licensure in PreK-12 English as a Second Language.

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
  

  The courses offered as part of this certificate may also be applied towards the Masters in Reading Education ESL Concentration or Masters in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.).

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should student pursue this certificate at ETSU? What makes it unique? 

    The graduate certificate in ESL and standalone coursework towards the ESL add-on at ETSU are completely asynchronous online and can be accomplished by working professionals at their own pace. There is a growing population of English Learners (ELs), and this add-on makes you more marketable. If there is only one ESL teacher in a school, the administrator must establish a pull-out program where the ELs are pulled from their classes to receive English as a Second Language Instruction. Often, this means that ELs miss related arts or experience a disruption to their regular academic schedule. If teachers are certified as a PreK-12 ESL teacher, students can stay in their regular classroom, experience no disruption to their regular academics, attend related arts classes with their peers; and administrators have fewer scheduling issues. This makes the administrator’s schedule more flexible while also meeting the needs of the ELs. 
  • What is an aspect of this program?

    The content of the certificate and add-on is geared towards practical knowledge needed by English as a Second Language professionals. Assignments are designed with real world applications in mind. Every reading and course content item are recent and selected to demonstrate best practices in teaching English learners. 
  • What accreditations apply to this certificate program? 

    Teachers with initial teaching license can add the English as a Second Language license as a result of this program. Successful completion of the ESL Praxis is also required. 
  • What are the job prospects with this certificate?

    Those who complete the program will be eligible to teach English as a Second Language at PreK-12 grade levels. The growing population of English Learners makes this a certificate that is highly needed. The need for ESL teachers is recognized as a high need endorsement within the state of TN and the nation. 
  • Is a master’s degree required for admission? If not, does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field?

    No, a master's degree is not required for admission to this program. However, a student's undergraduate degree must be in the field of education. This certificate best fits those who already have an initial teaching license. 

  • What are the prerequisites?

    Anyone can take the courses, but they will be qualified for the add-on ESL license only if they already have initial license and if they pass the ESL Praxis required by the Tennessee Department of Education. 

     

  • Does this program require the GRE (and/or GMAT)?

    Neither the GRE nor the GMAT are required for this program.
  • Are the courses for this certificate asynchronous or synchronous?

    All courses are asynchronous and 100% online.

  • What percentage of synchronous courses should a student expect to take?

    All courses for this program are offered asynchronously, but there are options for face-to-face courses if preferred. 
    
    
    

  • Does this certificate require a dissertation, field work, internship, and/or thesis?

    The ESL graduate certificate and add-on coursework require an ESL practicum (~50 hours in the field). The practicum can be arranged at their local schools or through fully virtual opportunities. 

  • Is this certificate designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?

    Due to the fully-online asynchronous course design, this program is ideal for those with professional and/or familial obligations.

  • What is the time to completion for full-time students?

    1 summer or 1 full year (fall & spring or spring & fall).

  • What is the time to completion for part-time students/

    More than 1 year, but the part-time completion timeline varies between students as it depends on their course load, semester preferences, transfer coursework (if applicable), and other factors.

     

  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?

    20+ for each starting term.
    
    

  • Does the college/department offer scholarships? 

    The department does not offer any scholarships for this certificate. However, students are encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.

Educational Endorsements Programs

• Middle Grades Endorsement

  Become certified to teach grades 6-8 with course work in this program specifically directed at teaching subjects in middles schools such as Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found on the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Departmental website.

• English as a Second Language Endorsement

  Help solve a critical educational need as you enhance your satisfaction and career credentials with an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. At home or abroad, ESL training is your passport to a world of opportunity, and this endorsement is just the ticket for career enhancement and greater personal satisfaction.

  An ESL endorsement from ETSU's Department of Curriculum and Instruction provides a solid foundation in ESL fundamentals, encompassing subjects including linguistics of reading; history, practice and assessment; grammar and usage; and electives such as sound systems and dialectology.

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found on the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Departmental website.

Cost

Credits to complete this program: 11-18 credit hours

Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid.