Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete application for admission
2. $40 non-refundable application fee
3. Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work (all transcripts not in English must be certified by an official agency as authentic and translated verbatim into English)
4. Submit a 500-word essay outlining your rationale for pursuing this certificate
5. Check for Scholarships

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Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution*
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale

*See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.

International Students – Additional Notes/Requirements

The Teaching English as an International Language graduate certificate program is open to international students.

International students whose primary language is not English must show English language proficiency.

These applicants must either submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score, or hold a baccalaureate degree from a English language institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

1. All transcripts not in English must be certified as authentic and translated verbatim in English by an approved official agency.
2. Students whose primary language is not English must show English language proficiency by attaining one of the following:
   • Total score of 80 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or 500 or higher on the paper-based test.
   • English proficiency can also be met by submitting an official IELTS score of 6.5 or higher for the academic module.
   • Duolingo English test score of 105 or higher

Note: International students will not be issued a U.S. visa if admitted to an online program, since there are no campus attendance requirements.

Mail all materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
2211 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY 40292

For additional questions regarding your graduate application, please contact gradadm@louisville.edu. Please do not send application materials to this email.

For additional information on the TEIL graduate program or application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.

The online graduate certificate in Teaching English as an International Language is a 12 credit hour program. The program of study must be completed with a 3.00 overall GPA with no grade lower than a “B-” for all graduate courses that are required for the TEIL certificate.

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Course Descriptions

Full-Time Faculty

• Is this program open to international students?

  Yes, this program is available for international students.

• Will I be able to teach in a traditional P-12 classroom in the U.S.?

  No, completing this graduate certificate will not give you the credentials you need to teach in a P-12 classroom.

• Does my bachelor’s degree need to be in a related field?

  No, all backgrounds are welcome in this program.

• Is there a GPA requirement?

  Yes, you must have a minimum of GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

• Is the GRE required?

  No, the GRE is not required for admission to this program.

• Are there any foreign language prerequisites?

  No, you do not need to have completed a foreign language prior to starting this program.

• I don’t have a 3.0 GPA, could I be accepted provisionally?

  Possibly. The Admissions Committee will assess applications on a case-by-case basis.

• Are there any additional fees outside of tuition?

  No, you will need to purchase your textbooks, but there are no additional fees.

• Can I transfer in credits?

  No, this program does not accept transfer credits.

• Can I complete this graduate certificate in tandem with another graduate program at UofL?

  Yes. Please check with your advisor to make certain these courses will count toward that program’s requirements.

• How long are the courses?

  Courses are 16 weeks (one semester) long.

• Can I take summer classes?

  Classes are available in the summer term, but they are only offered as a hybrid courses, which include face to face meetings (EDAP 518 in May is an exception; it is offered completely online).

• I have noticed that programs in this field often have different names such as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Are these programs one in the same?

  Yes, these programs have slightly different names, but they all have the same goal, to educate people on how to effectively teach English Language Learners.