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TESOL Master's Degree, M.Ed.

CCU's Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL, also known in Colorado as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education or CLDE ) is a comprehensive graduate program for current and aspiring educators and school professionals who are seeking skills to teach English language learners, both in the United States and around the world.

Offered through our College of Adult and Graduate Studies, the Master's in TESOL program is designed to address the need for licensed teachers to be knowledgeable in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and working with English Language Learners (ELLs) and multi-lingual learners (MLs) who are learning English as a second or foreign language (ESL, EFL students).

CCU's online master's TESOL program will prepare you to teach culturally and linguistically diverse students. This is especially important as the population of multilingual learners continues to grow in the U.S., and also as more international opportunities for teaching become available for experienced educators interested in English language teaching.

For recent graduates with coursework in linguistics and language teaching, connect with your enrollment counselor and see how you can accelerate your program by transferring in up to 12 credit hours.


TEACH Grant

Since culturally and linguistically diverse education is considered a high-need area, students who are working toward a CLDE endorsement program may be eligible for the TEACH grant. Learn more on our Scholarships website.


This TESOL graduate degree is aligned with standards and best practices promoted by the TESOL International Association; the graduate degree program meets all requirements set forth by the Colorado Department of Education for an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, including a 60-hour supervised fieldwork experience.

TESOL Program Options

TESOL Certificate

Requirements for a 15-credit hour TESOL graduate certificate are embedded within the M.Ed. in TESOL curriculum. Graduate students who pass the required courses in this degree program are eligible for the TESOL certificate.

CLDE Endorsement

A program leading to a Colorado endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education is available for candidates with an active Colorado teaching license (or are eligible for a teaching license) and desire to teach in an English Language Learner and/or multi-lingual learner classrooms. The endorsement provides the necessary content and application to foster the skills needed to support language acquisition and language learning while providing teacher training and credentials that fulfill the Colorado Department of Education's English language learner mandate. The CLDE endorsement is awarded to candidates by the Colorado Department of Education upon the recommendation of Colorado Christian University.

Students who complete the 24-credit CLDE endorsement program may also earn the master's degree in TESOL by completing an additional six elective credit hours. Learn more about CLDE Endorsement.


TESOL International Association Framework

Both the TESOL certificate and TESOL degree program have been aligned with the TESOL International Association's recommended Standards for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Visit these websites for additional information about a career in TESOL, and about standards and best practices promoted by the TESOL International Association :

The TESOL International Association does not provide recommendations or endorsements for degree or certificate programs.

State Exclusions for Online Students

Colorado Christian University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to be in compliance with state laws regarding where we can offer distance and/or online education. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University offers courses to online students in all states with some exceptions for specific academic programs.

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