Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Certificate

Vision Statement

In the United States, the need for well-prepared language teachers is constant. Teachers are more likely than ever to have the opportunity to teach students who come from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The Department of English offers students the opportunity to obtain a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). This is a rigorous 12-hour/4-course graduate certificate. Normally, students are able to complete the certificate requirements within three semesters.

The graduate TESOL certificate is a rigorous academic credential that includes a focus on the structure of the English language, theories of second language learning, and approaches to classroom pedagogy. All teachers will eventually work with nonnative speakers, so all teaching concentrations--like math, history, science, and social studies--are welcome. 

A TESOL certificate does not certify a graduate to teach in Nebraska public schools. Instead, it is an academic credential meant for teachers already certified in other areas, for people who plan to teach in venues other than public schools, and for anyone who works in some capacity with non-native speakers of English.

Students in teacher education or in speech/language pathology should contact the TESOL director prior to applying to this program.

Program Contact Information

Sarah Osborn, PhD, TESOL Director
402.554.2955
srfosborn@unomaha.edu

Ramon Guerra, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC) 
402.554.3636
unoenglishgradschool@unomaha.edu

Program Website

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025)

Applications for this program are accepted on a rolling basis. All materials must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student has elected to begin coursework.

Other Requirements

• An Introduction to Linguistics course is required. Equivalent course(s) from other institutions will be considered.
• Students in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences should meet with the TESOL director to plan a program of study. 

• English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.

  • Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110
  • If interested in a graduate assistantship ship minimum scores are as follows. Internet-based TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.5, PTE: 68, Duolingo: 130

Degree Requirements

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With a TESOL focus

Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of required courses and may not repeat any courses already taken at the undergraduate level.  The linguistics faculty strongly recommends that all TESOL certificate students achieve an oral and written proficiency in a language other than English.