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Online Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as an International Language

The online graduate certificate in Teaching English as an International Language (TEIL) is designed for bachelor’s degree holders who do not have a background in education but want to teach English language learners abroad and in other scenarios where a teaching license is not required.

Offered by the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville, the TEIL graduate certificate will prepare you to effectively teach English in a wide variety of professional or global settings that do not require a teaching license or certification (Note: This does not include teaching in a U.S. P-12 public school classroom. In this program, you will learn strategies and methods to equip English Language Learners with the skills they need to strengthen their English language proficiency.

How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

Highlights

  • Gain essential skills for teaching and/or tutoring non-native English speakers—no previous experience in education required!
  • Learn strategies to work with English language learners in a variety of settings both in the U.S. and abroad including humanitarian outreach organizations, private/parochial schools, tutoring opportunities with non-native students, missions work or international work with multi-national companies.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes in the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Earn the TEIL certificate as a standalone graduate certificate or as part of a UofL master's degree (must be approved by an advisor).

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100% ONLINE COURSES

Complete this program on your own time through fully online classes.

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12 CREDIT HOURS

Earn this specialized certificate in just 4 courses (12 credit hours).

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1 YEAR TO COMPLETE

Complete this certificate in as little as 1 academic year.

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Online learning video - Online Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as an International Language

"The demand for skilled professionals who can effectively teach English Language Learners in international settings is only increasing. With this graduate certificate, our students will have an exceptional skill set that will meet that growing need."


ELIZABETH PATTON, PH.D.
TEIL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF LINGUISTICS

Outcome

The field of teaching English to speakers of other languages - ESL/TEIL/EFL - is one of the fastest growing areas among all teaching areas and specializations. A graduate certificate in TEIL earned from an R-1 research university like UofL can add great value to your credentials, open many windows of professional opportunities, and enhance your ability to travel and work abroad.


Preferred Application Deadline Term Start Date
August 1 Fall August
December 1 Spring January

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.


Courses List Hours
EDAP 518 Survey of Linguistics for Educators (must be taken in the first semester) 3
EDAP 525 World Englishes 3
EDAP 530 Language, Society and Power 3
EDAP 535 Teaching English as an International Language 3
Total Required Credit Hours 12

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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.