If you already hold a master’s degree and want to be better prepared to teach English learners, consider pursuing the EdS in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This degree is designed for full-time teachers to improve your teaching practice and help you prepare for leadership opportunities. Our EdS TESOL degree has the following tracks:

Certification Track One (30–36 hours)

This track is for Alabama teachers who hold Class A certification in a teaching field and wish to earn an EdS and ESOL Class AA certification. It helps prepare experienced teachers for effectively teaching multilingual learners.

Certification Track Two (30 hours)

This track is for Alabama teachers who hold ESOL Class A certification and wish to earn an EdS with Class AA certification in ESOL. It provides advanced training to ESOL-certified teachers in the teaching and learning of English.

Professional Track (30–36 hours)

This track is for professionals in Alabama and other states who hold a master's degree in education, ESL, or a related area. It enhances the ability of professionals to teach ESL in PK–12 schools or post-secondary settings such as college-based English institutes, workplace English classes, community programs, and English for specific purposes. NOTE: Completers of this track are NOT eligible for teacher certification from the ALSDE.

Traditional Track: This is for Alabama teachers who hold Class B certification and wish to earn Class A certification in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any major from a regionally accredited college and with a GPA of at least 2.5.

You may select from among these options:

ESOL Certification (30 hours)

To apply, you must hold Class B certification in a teaching field (e.g., elementary, secondary, music). After completing this track, you must pass ESOL Praxis #5362 and apply to the ALSDE for Class A Certification in ESOL.

Dual Certification in ESOL and Spanish (42 hours)

To apply, you must hold Class B certification in Spanish. After completing this track, you must pass ESOL Praxis #5362 and apply to the ALSDE for Class A Certification in ESOL and Spanish.

Dual Certification in ESOL and French (42 hours)

To apply, you must hold Class B certification in French. After completing this track, you must pass ESOL Praxis #5362 and apply to the ALSDE for Class A Certification in ESOL and French.

Alternative Track: This track, which is also called the Alternative Master’s Program (AMP), is for Alabama applicants who wish to enter the teaching profession by earning Class Alt A certification in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 in their bachelor’s degree (any major) from a regionally accredited college.

You may select from among three options:

ESOL Certification (37–40 hours)

To apply, you must have a passing score on the ESOL Praxis #5362. After completing this program, you will apply to the ALSDE for Class A certification in ESOL.

Dual Certification in ESOL and Spanish (52–55 credit hours)

To apply, you must have a passing score on the ESOL Praxis #5362 and Spanish Praxis #5195. After completing this program, you will apply to the ALSDE for Class A certification in ESOL and Spanish.

Dual Certification in ESOL and French (52–55 credit hours)

To apply, you must have a passing score on the ESOL Praxis #5362 and the French Praxis #5174. After completing this program, you will apply to the ALSDE for Class A certification in ESOL and French.

We offer two graduate certificates: Teaching Multilingual Learners (TML) and Teaching English as an Additional Language (TEAL). These certificates provide professional development in teaching ESL and are designed for students pursuing a promotion, job search, or admission to graduate school.

You can pursue the TML or TEAL concurrently with an undergraduate or graduate degree at UAB (or separate from any degree). Although certificate completers are not certified to teach in PK–12 schools, they can use the TML courses toward one of the ESOL certification degrees listed above.

Teaching Multilingual Learners (12 credit hours)

The purpose of this online TML certificate is for effectively serving multilingual PK–12 students and their families. You will learn theory and pedagogy to meet the diverse needs of multilingual learners in your classroom. This 12-hour certificate consists of one required course and three advisor-approved electives. The TML can be viewed as a micro-credential.  It is part of the MS in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies opens a new website program, allowing it to be combined with another participating certificate to earn a master’s degree. 

Teaching English as an Additional Language (15 credit hours)

The purpose of this online TEAL certificate is for teaching English to adults in diverse settings such as language institutes, cultural centers, community programs, and workplace English. Through the TEAL certificate, you will develop theory and pedagogy for meeting the linguistic and sociocultural needs of adults who wish to improve their English for personal reasons, work needs, and/or academic purposes. TEAL has been designated as an Alabama Advanced, Specialized Skills, Education Training certificate and, as such, meets the Governor’s mandate to prepare today’s workforce.