Undergraduate TESL Certificate Online Program Share Your Love of Language
18
Credit Hours
100% online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the certificate total
Pursue Your Passion for Travel and Teaching with Liberty’s Teaching English as a Second Language Online Certificate
English is quickly becoming the world’s dominant language in business, education, and society as a whole. More and more people find themselves needing to learn English to thrive in their jobs and everyday lives.
Do you want to help meet the growing need for English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors? If so, Liberty’s online undergraduate Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Certificate can help! Our program is designed to equip you with a theoretical and practical understanding of second language acquisition. You can learn how to help non-native English speakers strengthen their written and oral communication skills.
Prepare to face the challenges of working in cross-cultural and cross-linguistic settings. With this certificate program, you can build on your previous education or work experience and prepare to make a difference in the lives of others.
Working as an ESL teacher can be a rewarding experience. We’re excited to partner with you as you take this important step in your academic journey!
Please note: This is a non-licensure program.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Why Choose Liberty’s ESL Certificate Online?
Our English teaching certificate is available 100% online. You can complete your coursework from the comfort of your home while still gaining access to the same rigorous training offered in our residential classes. If you are currently living overseas or working full time, then we offer the flexibility you need to achieve your academic goals!
At only 18 credit hours, you can complete Liberty’s online certificate in English as a Second Language in less than 1 year! And, if you later decide to further your education, credits from this certificate can transfer into our online BS in Teaching English as a Second Language degree.
At Liberty, we seek to Train Champions for Christ. To fulfill this mission, we offer online courses taught from a biblical perspective. We don’t just train educators — we equip qualified professionals who want to use their skills in service to God and others. It’s about who you are and who you aspire to become. If you want to learn how to integrate ethical principles with industry best practices, Liberty can help!
What Will You Study with Our Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate Online?
In this online TESL certificate program, you will explore core topics in applied grammar, linguistics, and second language acquisition. You’ll also learn how to design various activities and class exercises that can help make language learning fun for your students.
To work as an ESL educator, it’s vital that you understand not only English but also the syntax and phonology of other major languages. That way, you can develop lesson plans that take into account your students’ cultural background and primary language. Liberty can help you get training in these essential skills so you can pursue teaching jobs around the globe.
Before graduating, you will complete an internship under faculty supervision so you can gain practical, hands-on experience. Partner with us and prepare to help English-language learners gain the skills they need to thrive!
Potential Career Opportunities
Our Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate can help you prepare for several career paths. Depending on your current knowledge, education level, and experience, there are many different positions that could benefit from our accredited certificate:
- Community college ESL teacher
- English as a second language instructor (overseas)
- High school ESL teacher
- International missions worker
- Second language curriculum developer
The language and teaching skills that you gain from our TESL certificate can be an asset as a teacher both in the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, the credits you gain in this certificate may transfer directly into the BS in Teaching English as a Second Language degree. Take the next step towards your personal and professional goals with a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate from Liberty University.
Additional education or training may be required for some jobs or occupations. Conferral of a certificate does not guarantee job placement.
Required Courses
Certificate Information
- This certificate falls under the College of Arts and Sciences.
- View the Undergraduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
Certificate Completion Plan
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
Undergraduate Full Time | $390/Credit |
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Undergraduate Part Time | $455/Credit |
Military Undergraduate | $250/Credit |
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Undergraduate TESL Certificate Online Program
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9595.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores.*
- Students may be allowed to enroll in up to 12 credit hours with Liberty with the submission of our High School Self-Certification Form (login required – you will first need to claim your Liberty Account).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system).
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.
Note: A 1.5 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Transcript Policies
High School Transcript Policy
Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.
- Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.
Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.
The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.
Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Military Transfers
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
International Applicants
If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
- Potential college credit for military training
*Not applicable to certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TESL?
As an ESL educator, you can help teach English to those who cannot speak, read, or write the language. A TESL career provides valuable opportunities for you to learn about other cultures while serving those who are looking to learn the English language.
As a TESL instructor, you could work in countries where English is the primary language, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia. Liberty also provides training that can help you work abroad in non-English-speaking countries!
What can you do with a TESL certificate?
By earning an online TESL certificate, you can train to help speakers of other languages increase their mastery of English. TESL educators can work for a variety of organizations, including public and private schools, language institutes, tutor support services, universities, charities, and government-sponsored programs.
What’s the difference between a TESL certificate and an online TESOL certificate?
There are a few different types of second language acquisition programs. Following are the main purposes of each:
- TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) — TESL programs typically help students teach English to non-native speakers living in English-speaking countries.
- TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) — TEFL programs are primarily designed to help you teach English overseas.
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) — TESL and TEFL both fall under the TESOL category. TESOL programs are designed to equip you to teach either domestically or abroad.
At Liberty, you can learn how to teach English at home and abroad! With our TESL certificate, you will take courses that cover topics in both TESL and TEFL.
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