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English as a Second Language Instruction

Also offered as: Curriculum & Instruction (Graduate)

This six-course graduate certificate leads to the Illinois English as a Second Language endorsements. Candidates must hold an initial teaching license (any content area or grade range) to add the ESL endorsement.

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English as a Second Language Instruction

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Degree Level
Master of Science in Education
Delivery
Fully Online / Fully Online
Time to Degree
6 Semesters
Credit Hours
18 Total, 18 in Major
Careers
Teachers
English as a Second Language Instruction students at EIU

Why Study English as a Second Language Instruction at EIU?

  • This is a fully online program; all courses are delivered in an asychronous format
  • The ESL endorsement may be added to any Illinois teaching license
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"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
English as a Second Language Instruction | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, English as a Second Language Instruction at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Candidates complete a field-based practicum in ESL
Hands-On Experience, English as a Second Language Instruction students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The English as a Second Language Instruction option in the M.S. in Education is a six-course, 18-semester-hour graduate program that leads to the Illinois English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. It is a fit if you are a licensed teacher who wants to support English learners in your own classroom. Candidates must hold an initial Illinois teaching license (PEL) in any content area or grade range.

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$54,930
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Preschool Teachers
  • Kindergarten Teachers
  • Elementary School Teachers
  • Middle School Teachers
  • Secondary School Teachers
  • Adult Basic Education, Adult…

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Openings: Employers are expected to need at least 75,000 people for this career over the next several years. That count includes new jobs created by growth and spots opened when workers move on.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Openings
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit SocialSocial interest typeYou like helping people. This work centers on supporting others by helping, teaching, advising or serving them.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$8,262 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 8% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
8% of lifetime limit

$8,262 total, just 8% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Daniel Carter
Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator (TLF)
djcarter@eiu.edu
2176 Buzzard Hall
217-581-7885
Daniel Carter Message Daniel

Message Daniel

or email djcarter@eiu.edu directly
Stephen Lucas
Executive Director, Educator Preparation
selucas@eiu.edu
1417
217-581-5728
Stephen Lucas Message Stephen

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or email selucas@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

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or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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