Certificate of Advanced Study in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Please note: as Clarkson University focuses on its industry relevant education, innovation and research, we have partnered with Siena College to offer these programs later in 2024. Please visit Siena's website for more information.
Advance Your Career With a TESOL Graduate Certificate
Learn new tools for teaching multilingual learners, gain in-demand skills and expand your portfolio with Clarkson's Certificate of Advanced Study in TESOL. If you are an educator with NYS professional certification, the program has been designed so that you can qualify for an additional NYS certification in ESOL upon completion.
Why Earn a Graduate Certificate in TESOL From Clarkson?
With the completely online and asynchronous format, you can benefit from a Clarkson education from any location in the U.S. and in accordance with your schedule. Through full-time study, the certificate can be completed in a year.
We are considered a Clinically Rich program by New York State. This designation is given, in part, because the program requires students to complete fieldwork or an internship. We can work with you to help you secure an assignment in your local district. This is an excellent way to apply your newfound skills in a real classroom setting.
Our faculty bring a combination of pedagogical expertise and K-12 experience. We foster an encouraging and nurturing learning environment to help you reach the next step in your career.
Curriculum
The TESOL certificate program consists of 16 credit hours distributed across six courses. There is an intensive three-course summer term with a clinical practicum, two courses in the fall and one in the spring. A mentored internship is built into fall and spring coursework around your schedule.
The courses are as follows:
CAS Internship (20 days of student teaching with an ENL mentor teacher) (1 credit)
Curriculum and Methods of Teaching ESOL (3 credits)
English Grammar for the ENL Teacher (3 credits)
English Linguistics (3 credits)
Instruction & Assessment (3 credits)
TESOL Literacy for Content Area Instruction (includes 25 fieldwork hours) (3 credits)
TESOL Curriculum
Every member of the Education Department faculty has secondary teaching experience. Students are successful, in part, because they receive extensive mentorship and support from teachers who bring advanced teaching skills and extensive classroom experience to the program.
MAT ESOL Curriculum
Prerequisites (No Credits):
ED500: Field Experience — four days of structured observation in secondary schools. Can be organized by the CRC Department of Education coordinator Nicki Foley; please call 518-631-9870.
A bachelor’s degree and 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English.
An undergraduate liberal arts core, including courses in humanities/the arts, writing/communication, social sciences and STEM.
Educational psychology — undergraduate course or Clarkson’s CRC Department of Education exam.
Courses (39 Credits):
TE501 Teaching Practicum (2 credits)
ED502 NY State Teacher Requirements (1 credit)
TE513 Curriculum and Methods of Teaching ESOL (3 credits)
TE517 TESOL Teaching Methods (includes 20 hours of field experience) (3 credits)
TE542 TESOL Literacy (includes 20 hours of field experience) (3 credits)
ED550 Effective Teaching for All Learners (3 credits)
ED560 The Modern Teacher (3 credits)
TE530 English Grammar for the ENL Teacher (3 credits)
*TE 553 and TE 554 are summer residency options for NYS teachers obtaining their MAT-ESOL.
The Clarkson Teaching Residency
MAT ESOL graduate candidates complete a half-day, year-long residency, taking full responsibility for at least two classes. One semester of the residency will be in grades K-6, and the other in grades 7-12, providing a well-rounded experience. Students will be interviewed at the site(s) where they expect to complete their residency. Entrance into the teaching residency portion of the program is contingent upon completing TE513 and TE540 with minimum grades of B, as well as permission from the chair.
Certificate of Advanced Study in TESOL Curriculum
Prerequisites (No Credits):
Current New York State initial certification in another discipline.
A bachelor’s degree and 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English.
Courses (16 Credits):
TE501 TESOL CAS Internship (includes 35-50 hours of field experience) (1 credit)
TE513 Curriculum and Methods of Teaching ESOL (3 credits)
TE517 TESOL Teaching Methods (includes 60 hours or 10 days of practicum) (3 credits)
TE530 English Grammar for the ENL Teacher (3 credits)
TE531 TESOL English Linguistics (3 credits)
TE542 TESOL Literacy (includes 60 hours or 10 days of practicum) (3 credits)
To apply to the certificate program, you must meet the following criteria:
A current New York State professional certification in another discipline.
Bachelor’s and master's degrees and 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English.
Get assistance paying for school with a wide array of grants and scholarships, including program-specific opportunities. Our TESOL programs are also supported by the New York State Department of Education's Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute Grant. Early and on-time applicants receive preferential review for scholarship opportunities. Late applicants are considered for acceptance and scholarships based on availability.
For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required:
Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
Proof of current NYS professional certification in another discipline.
In-person or virtual interview.
Desired start term of:
Complete Applications by:
Fall Semester
July 1
Spring Semester
November 1
Summer Terms (TESOL - SU I / Secondary ED - SU II)
April 1
Clarkson's Certificate of Advanced Study in TESOL has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Career Possibilities
The TESOL certificate program helps you understand the most up-to-date best practices when it comes to teaching multilingual students. It allows you to:
Earn NYS certification for ESOL.
Enjoy more employment flexibility and security.
Teach in both standalone ENL classes and integrated content area courses.
More successfully plan instruction and assessments for linguistically and culturally diverse students.
Change new directions as an educator.
Recent Employers
In recent years, graduates of Clarkson's TESOL program have started positions or enriched their roles with:
Clarkson's Certificate of Advance Study in TESOL helps you advance your career through new skills and extensive fieldwork. Find out what the program can do for you.
