This is a Grow Your Own program designed to help school staff earn teacher licensure while continuing to work in their schools. If you do not have a prior Bachelor’s degree, you can complete this program through the BA TESOL with licensure program. We anticipate cohorts of bilingual mentors enrolled in the BA TESOL with licensure program will begin the program in Spring 2025 and Fall 2026 and complete this program part-time. Courses for this program are offered online or in the evenings to allow school employees to participate.

If you have a prior 4-year university degree or the equivalent, you may apply to complete the program through the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) ESL program. We anticipate multiple MAT cohorts beginning the program each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Fall 2027. Courses for this program are offered online or in the evenings to allow school employees to participate. Selected courses are available in summer sessions.

High school seniors who have earned the Tennessee Seal of Biliteracy or can provide other evidence of high proficiency in a language other than English are eligible to apply for a 4-year, full tuition scholarship for the BA TESOL with licensure program. Students applying to this program need to enroll as full-time students in Fall 2025.

Currently licensed teachers are eligible to apply to earn ESL add-on endorsement through the University of Memphis Graduate Certificate in TESOL program. This program is a 15-credit hour graduate program. For the add-on endorsement, students need to additionally complete the ESL Praxis Exam. We anticipate multiple cohorts for this program, beginning each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Spring 2028.

All courses are offered online or in the evenings. Selected courses are available in summer sessions. All credits transfer into the MA TESOL program for students who choose to continue to that program.

Current students in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) ESL program and current applicants for the MAT in ESL can apply for funding from this program. We anticipate multiple MAT cohorts beginning the program each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Fall 2027. Courses for this program are offered online or in the evenings to allow school employees to participate. Selected courses are available in summer sessions.

Current students in the BA TESOL with licensure program and current UofM students planning to declare this major can apply for funding from this program. We anticipate multiple BA cohorts beginning the program each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Fall 2027.

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) concentration allows students to focus beyond their core English literature, language, and writing courses. Specialized study in TESOL methods and in language assessment provides students with the basic skills needed to teach ESL in the US and abroad. Students enrolled in the TESOL concentration can choose between two tracks: a general TESOL track and a track leading to PreK-12 licensure as an ESL teacher. 

Students in the TESOL concentration follow an integrated program of study that helps them develop expertise in areas such as second language acquisition, cross-cultural communication, language structure, and instructional methodology. Besides developing skills in analyzing language, assessing language ability, and planning language instruction, students apply their knowledge through practical experiences in the U.S. and abroad.

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) graduate certificate provides training to those interested in teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language. The certificate is given to those who complete the practical preparation needed to teach English both within and outside the US to post-secondary students and adults. The courses for the program focus on the specific knowledge and skills specified for ESL teachers as identified by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc (TESOL).

The University of Memphis English Department's TESOL program has compiled a list of community resources for teaching and learning English as a second language. 

Detailed program information and course requirements for the BA in TESOL. 

Detailed program information and course requirements for the MAT in ESL.