Online M.S. in Education, TESOL (PreK-12)
Build a Career Championing Diverse Learners
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– U.S. News 2026
Become a Skilled and Compassionate TESOL Leader
St. John’s Online M.S. in Education, TESOL is designed to help you grow your career and professional opportunities while keeping students at the center of your work. Here, you can gain the skills to teach English and ensure students have access to the academic content they need.
Throughout the eleven-course sequence, you’ll join a supportive cohort of online peers and learn from educators who bring current research and years of experience into every course. You’ll also receive dedicated academic advising and opportunities to apply what you learn through international study and teaching experiences, preparing you to serve diverse learners with greater knowledge, cultural awareness, and confidence.
As little as 18 months
Rolling Admission
Priority Deadline (Fall): April 1
Priority Deadline (Spring): October 1
33
$1,000
Excel as a Multicultural Educator
The 33-credit online TESOL Masters degree is built for growing educators who want a rigorous, hands-on graduate education to prepare them for real-world teaching situations. Graduates will be prepared for certification and receive a range of TESOL instructional strategies they can leverage to meet the needs of their future students.
With fully online coursework and no set class times, you can learn and build professional knowledge in a flexible format, without having to step away from your day-to-day responsibilities. Your curriculum will cover the foundations of psychology and sociology of second language acquisition, literacy development, English Language learner assessment, and more. You can complete the program in as little as 18 months and stay supported through accessible faculty mentorship and online student resources, such as career counseling and personalized advising.
"The Way St. John’s prepared me to reach all these students is by learning different approaches to make connections with the students. To understand where they come from, and to also capitalize on where they come from. Every kid comes from a different country, and you can incorporate that into the lesson in the classroom.”
– Matthew Morales, ‘17
Grow Professionally as a Teacher and Educator
The M.S. in education, TESOL can help you continue your career as an educator with the focus that matters most to you. Graduates are prepared to teach English as a New Language (ENL) in New York State classrooms, including integrated ENL/ and Stand-Alone ENL settings. The program is also designed to prepare students for the English to Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) and Students with Disabilities (SWD) New York State Certifications.
When paired with an additional education certification, graduates may also work in dual-language education to help students develop proficiency in two languages while strengthening academic and cultural connections. Program completers may also pursue opportunities teaching ENL or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in schools and college programs in the United States or abroad. After graduation, TESOL expertise can open opportunities not only in classroom teaching, but also curriculum development, program coordination, and other leadership roles.
Potential Career Paths Include:*
- English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher – Help multilingual students gain the language skills and confidence to thrive in the classroom
- Integrated ENL and/or Stand-alone ENL Teacher – Provide focused language support that helps students succeed across subjects and classroom settings
- English Language Learner (ELL) Coordinator – Lead and support school systems and programming to ensure students are receiving their ENL instructional services
- ELL Professional Learning Facilitator – Provide professional development workshops to educators on the practices and research that support ELLs in classrooms
- International TESOL Teacher – Teach TESOL courses to English Learners around the world by leveraging the pedagogical skills developed in the Masters in TESOL program
*Additional certification required.
Admissions & Aid
St. John’s Online works to make earning your M.S. in Education, TESOL both accessible and manageable. The graduate admissions process uses a holistic review of your academic background and interests, with an online application portal that keeps requirements organized from application through decision. Most St. John’s graduate programs use rolling admission. For programs without a specific deadline, the University recommends applying by April 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.
Students seeking federal financial aid, including federal student loans, are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). St. John’s University’s Federal School Code is 002823.
For the 2026–27 academic year, St. John’s Online graduate programs are offered at a tuition rate of $1,000 per credit. Students may also explore funding options such as:
- Federal aid programs
- External scholarships
- Employer tuition assistance
To learn more about available resources and eligibility requirements, visit St. John’s Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are evaluated holistically based on:
- A baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree
- Preferred GPA of 3.0
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Initial Teaching Certification
- Statement of professional goals
- Two letters of recommendation
- For international applicants: TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo/PTE scores and a NACES course-by-course evaluation
To review all admission requirements in detail, visit our Admission and Aid page.
Prospective students may submit their application here.
Your Next Steps:
- Explore financial aid options for graduate students
- Review per-credit tuition
- Understand graduate application requirements
- Connect with our admissions team
Make a Difference in the Lives of Your Students
Connect with us, or if you’re ready, begin your application.
Hear From Your St. John’s Online Faculty
"As a faculty member, I am proud to be part of a TESOL program that prepares compassionate, knowledgeable, and highly effective educators. Students learn current, research-based classroom strategies that help them meet the diverse needs of English learners. They also develop a deeper understanding of their students’ languages, cultures, identities, and learning experiences. Our graduates are prepared to work in a variety of teaching contexts, from Pre-K through Grade 12, and may even have opportunities to study and teach abroad. If you are passionate about transforming lives through language and education, our TESOL program is the perfect place to begin your journey!"
– YVONNE PRATT-JOHNSON, Ph.D
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the M.S.Ed. in TESOL (PreK–12) fully online?
Yes. The program is offered entirely online, giving educators the flexibility to complete their graduate coursework remotely.
How many credits are required?
The program requires 33 credits across an 11-course sequence, including foundations, core TESOL coursework, a special education component, and a technology course.
What will I study in the program?
Coursework covers bilingual and second-language education, language and literacy development, linguistics, assessment, content-area instruction for linguistically and culturally diverse learners, special education, digital literacy, and a TESOL practicum and seminar.
Does the program prepare me for New York State certification?
The program prepares students for licensure/certification in New York State. Students must also meet applicable TESOL certification requirements, including passing the New York State Content Specialty Test (CST) in TESOL and possessing 12 credits in a world language (which can be earned while in the program).
Do I need to already hold New York teacher certification?
Applicants seeking admission to this program are required to hold New York State initial teacher certification. Candidates who do not hold initial certification and want to pursue New York State certification should apply to the joint M.S.Ed. program in Childhood Education or Adolescent Education and TESOL.
Become the Teacher Students Remember
Move into the next stage of your educational career.