Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate

The SFU TESOL certificate program is designed to demonstrate that candidates have completed a competency-based sequence of four courses at the post-baccalaureate level. This certificate provides an additional skill-level of specific training and experiences for professionals who provide TESOL educational services for the growing population of English Language Learners (ELLs) enrolling at Saint Francis University and other global institutions. It will allow professional educators holding this certificate to address the complex needs of English Language Learners in various classrooms, school settings and teaching English abroad. Educational professionals achieving this certificate will have demonstrated competencies related to research-based assessment, TESOL curriculum, instruction, culture/diversity, second language acquisition and program management for ELL students. The certificate will be applicable for those professionals serving students across all English language proficiency levels.

The TESOL certificate program is 12 credits and designed to be completed in one year in a cohort setting. The first two courses (6 credits) will be offered in the fall 2015 and the last two courses (6 credits) will completed in the spring 2016. Thirty hours of clinical observations are integrated throughout the program. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion from Saint Francis University. 

Admission Requirements (non-international students)

Candidates for the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages certificate must complete the following materials for consideration of acceptance for this program.  

• Application and $30 non-refundable application fee payable to Saint Francis University;
• Two letters of professional recommendation;
• A minimum undergraduate and/or graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required;
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work completed.

International Student Admission Requirements

• Application and $30 non-refundable application fee payable to Saint Francis University;
• Two letters, written in English, one professional and one personal recommendation which include information about English proficiency;
• An essay, written in English, must be submitted addressing the topic of Why I Want to Obtain a Master of Education degree at SFU;
• Official undergraduate transcripts must be submitted.  In addition, the transcripts must be submitted with certified English translations. The independent credentialing report needs to be completed by a NACES-member organization, and WES is recommended;
• An interview in person or via Skype with the Graduate Director is required;
• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required for admission into the program. If a candidate’s GPA is less than 3.0; he or she may be accepted on a provisional basis while taking up to nine (9) credits.  The provisional status student must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 upon the completion of the nine credits to be admitted into the program.   Provisional status students who do not attain a minimum GPA of 3.0 after the completion of the nine credits, will not be admitted into the program and will be dismissed from provisional status;
• Testing requirements:
  • TOEFL Internet-based test score:  75-80
  • TOEFL paper-based test score:  550
  • TOEFL computer-based test score:  213
  • IELTS band score:  6.5
  • iTEP score:  4.0

*Note: International applicants who have received a baccalaureate or a graduate degree from a college/university/institution that English is the primary language of instruction are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

Additional International Admission Requirements

• Applicant must complete Affidavit of Financial Support, International Clearance Form and a copy of passport;
• Upon acceptance to the program, applicant must complete the I20 process through the University Admissions Office;
• Graduate Education applications matriculate year-round;
• Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Certification Requirements 

SFU certificate: Candidates will receive a certificate from SFU upon successful completion of the program.