TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certificate

Sharpen Your Skills in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

In our increasingly diverse and interconnected world, the ability to teach English to speakers of foreign language is a vitally important, in-demand skill.

Offered online through the University of San Diego’s (USD) Division of Professional and Continuing Education, our Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate Program gives participants the specialized skills and training needed for a successful career teaching or preparing to teach English as a second language to non-native speakers.

The University of San Diego faculty provides a theoretical foundation for second or foreign language teaching, as well as innovative insights, activities

Certificate Requirements

To complete the program and earn your TESOL certificate, you will need to complete the five core courses (10 units, 125 hours) with a grade of a “C” or better and an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Learn more about the University of San Diego’s Professional and Continuing Education Certificate Benefits and Policies.

Learning Method Information

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
• Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

Curriculum

USD’s five-course TESOL Certificate Program offers:

• Graduate-level extension credit (10 units) and a certificate from USD
• Highly qualified professional faculty with advanced degrees and years of teaching experience
• Scheduling flexibility through a robust online learning format that is ideal for working professionals
• An affordable cost (see details under Course Schedule & Fees below)

TESOL Certificate Program Benefits

For language teachers interested in professional development, the reasons for taking courses or earning the TESOL certificate are many and varied. They include:

• Learning new skills and techniques that will help you in the classroom or an online educational environment
• The opportunity to engage in valuable professional development training through a highly regarded academic institution
• Instruction from faculty experts with deep experience in the field
• Earning credits that in some cases can be used to meet district requirements for salary advancement
• The opportunity to explore new areas of language instruction (example: longtime K-12 teachers who may be seeking a new challenge)
• Positioning yourself to advance your career in a field that you love

Third-Party Funding

This program is approved by the following third-party funding source(s):

• Department of Veterans Affairs – Post 9-11, Yellow Ribbon, etc. (VA)

For students using third-party funding, please contact Enrollment and Student Services at pce-bus@sandiego.edu to begin the registration process. Please have your funding source details readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions