As a part of our series on How to Fully Fund Your Master’s Degree, here is a list of universities that offer fully funded Master’s programs in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). TESL programs provide graduates with a theoretical background in linguistics and the practical skills to pursue various career options, including teaching, curriculum writing, tutoring, and other various educational and academic positions in the US as well as international and remote contexts. The list below includes Master’s programs in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) across the United States that will allow students to gain practical teaching experience and offer opportunities for teaching and graduate assistantships.
“Full funding” is a financial aid package for full-time students that includes full tuition remission and an annual stipend or salary for the duration of the student’s master’s studies. Fully funded Master’s programs in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) can be difficult to find because most universities focus their funding on Ph.D. students. This disparity means that Master’s candidates can have a harder time securing scholarships and funding. However, many universities do offer fully funded Master’s programs on the basis that the student will teach or perform research in their field of study. Not all universities provide full funding to their Master’s students, so it’s important to research the financial aid offerings of all the potential Master’s programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.
You can also find several external fellowships in the ProFellow database for graduate and doctoral study and dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, and summer work experience.
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8 Fully Funded Master’s Programs in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
Cloud State University Fully Funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language
Cloud State University, based in St. Cloud, MN, offers a fully funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program will prepare you to teach students in the United States and throughout the world. You will learn the intricacies of linguistics and teaching from specialists who have lived, worked, and taught throughout the world. Fifty graduate assistantships are available for qualified applicants. Master’s stipends are $9,250 for academic year appointments of 20hrs/week. The federally sponsored TEACH Grant program offers up to $4,000 per year for students seeking K-12 ESL licensure.
Kent State University Fully Funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language
Kent State University, based in Kent, OH, offers a fully funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language. The program represents a unique, communication-based approach to TESL. Graduate students receive a strong grounding in language theory while also developing the interpersonal skills necessary to provide intensive instruction to ESL students. Graduate Assistantships are available on a competitive basis and are limited to two years of study. Most Graduate Assistants serve as ESL Center instructors and tutors. Limited opportunities for research assistantships and non-teaching fellowships are also available. Stipends are competitive and include a waiver of tuition and fees.
Northern Arizona University Fully Funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language
Northern Arizona University, based in Flagstaff, AZ, offers a fully funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language. The TESL degree combines a strong theoretical foundation in applied linguistics with practical training in teaching English to people who speak other native languages. MA TESL students are eligible to teach English composition courses in the English Department. Furthermore, a limited number of tuition waivers are available to out-of-state or in-state students who can demonstrate financial need. Students in the MA program receive two years of support.
University of Alabama Fully Funded Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
The University of Alabama, based in Tuscaloosa, AL, offers a fully funded Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA-ESL). The program offers a structured yet flexible curriculum designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach English in a range of classroom contexts both internationally and in the US. In this two-year program, students complete 30 credit hours of coursework. Graduate students in our Program receive a full tuition waiver, an annual stipend of approximately $14,500, and health insurance.
University of Arizona Fully Funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language
The University of Arizona, based in Tucson, AZ, offers a fully funded Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). The Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language program is designed for current and future professionals in teaching English as a second/foreign language and applied linguistics. The program offers a balanced emphasis on theory, research, and practice. Graduate teaching assistantships and other financial support will be available to the most-qualified incoming MATESL students. The graduate teaching assistantship award includes a full out-of-state tuition waiver, fee waiver, individual health insurance coverage, and a stipend of approximately $20,000 per academic year.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Fully Funded Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, based in Champaign, IL, offers a fully funded Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL). The MATESOL degree is intended to prepare candidates to be professional leaders in teachers’ many roles, including lecture classroom instructor, peer coordinator, teacher preparation, curriculum and materials developer, program administrator, etc. Nearly all of the UIUC MATESOL students are the beneficiaries of some form of financial aid for at least part of the time they spend working on their degree. Most degree candidates with native or native-like competence in English receive appointments as graduate assistants.
Oklahoma State University Master’s in English
Oklahoma State University, based in Stillwater, OK, offers a fully funded master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). The university offers graduate degrees in English with specializations in five areas: Creative Writing, Literature, Rhetoric and Writing Studies, Screen Studies, and Teaching English as a Second Language and Linguistics (TESL). The English Department employs a large number of graduate teaching assistants each year. Assistantships are thus available to most students who qualify for them and apply early. Applications received before January 5 will be considered first for assistantships and financial incentives.
University of Mississippi Fully Funded Master’s in Modern Languages
The University of Mississippi, based in Oxford, MS, offers a fully funded Master’s in Modern Languages, including Teaching English as a Second Language. The MA in Modern Languages has emphases available in French, German, Spanish, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). The Master of Arts in Modern Languages develops students’ analytical thinking skills, scholarship, and abilities to succeed in rewarding careers or enter a doctoral program. The Department of Modern Languages offers financial assistance in the form of Scholarships, Graduate Research Assistantships, and Graduate Instructorships. These assistantships pay a stipend of $5,000 – $5,250 per semester and come with a full waiver of graduate tuition.
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