ESL Teacher Certification

You do not need to speak a second language to teach in an ESL classroom setting. With this certificate, you can teach in a mainstream EC-6 class as well as in an ESL classroom.

This post-baccalaureate teacher certification program is designed for individuals who want to earn initial teacher certification to teach children from early childhood through grade 6. These children may include those who can speak some English but are not proficient in English, which is not their native language. The program prepares its graduates to be generalists in EC-6 education as well as ESL teachers.

This is a 24-hour program equivalent to eight courses. Of those 24 hours, 18 hours (6 courses) are online coursework, and the remaining 6 hours (2 courses) are either student teaching or internship. Students in this program may count a number of courses toward an MEd in Teaching if they apply to and are accepted into that degree program.

Admission Requirements

1. Successfully complete a bachelor's degree program with a GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours, or 3.0 overall with at least 3 hours in Math, Science, English, and Social Studies.
2. Meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate Admissions
3. Apply to Teacher Education and Administration at the University of North Texas. Students must continue to meet the requirements of the Online Teacher Certification Program in order to remain in the program.

Apply to Graduate Admissions

UNT reviews graduate program applications holistically. We consider all parts of the application and supporting documentation to determine admission. Contact your department directly for specific requirements as admission decisions are made at the program level.

Keep in mind that program application deadlines vary. Check our Deadlines and Fees for more details. 

1. Start You Application

Apply with the UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System). To get started, select the term you plan to start classes in.

2. Submit Application Material

Inside the application portal you are able to:

• Request transcripts from institutions that will be tied directly to your application
• Upload documents like resume, statement of purpose, writing samples, etc.
• Provide contact information for your recommenders to submit letters of recommendation via our system

3. Pay Application Fees

Submit the $75 non-refundable payment* for the application which will prompt our office to begin the evaluation process.

Transcripts and other academic documents

Learn how to submit official documents.

Official transcripts are required from every college or university you have attended and must arrive by the application deadline. The transcripts must show you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or equivalent). If you are applying prior to graduating with your bachelor’s, submit your current transcript to allow for admission consideration. If admitted, you’ll be required to submit a final transcript with your degree posted.

Contact the colleges and universities you have attended about their processes for providing official transcripts. Most institutions provide transcripts electronically directly to us, all you have to do is request it.

If you previously attended the University of North Texas, you are not required to provide your UNT transcript to the UNT Office of Admissions. We will be able to obtain this from the registrar's office for you.

Send all application inquiries to:

Doug McCollum
Academic Advisor
University of North Texas
Department of Teacher Education and Administration
1155 Union Circle #311335
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Email: doug.mccollum@unt.edu
coe-pbadvisors@unt.edu

Course Requirements for Certificate (24 hours)

•  EDCI 5010 - Applying Theory to Teaching Practice
•  EDBE 5560 – Fundamentals of Bilingual and ESL Education
• EDBE 5570 - Assessing Language and Content Learning in EC-12 Bilingual and English as a Second Language Education
•  EDBE 5590 – ESL Pedagogy EC-12th Grade
• EDRE 5070 - Literacy Development for English Learners (for EC–6)
•  EDBE 5582 - ESL Content Instruction

Clinical Teaching/Internship (6 hours)

EDEE 5101 - Student Teaching in EC through Grade 6 and

EDEE 5102 - Student Teaching in EC through Grade 6

Or

EDEE 5105 - Internship I and

EDEE 5115 - Internship II

Four state exams must be passed for the student to become certified by the state:

• TExES Core Subjects EC-6
• TExES STR - Science of Teaching Reading (recommended to be taken after the EC-6 Exam)
• TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 Exam (recommended to be taken after the STR Exam)
• TExES ESL Supplemental (recommended to be taken after the PPR EC-12 Exam)

To attain the teaching certificate, candidates must complete all coursework, attain passing scores on the appropriate state examination, and send an application to TEA for the certificate.

NOTE: The Clinical Practice is complete within a radius of 50 miles from UNT – Denton. For more information, contact your academic advisor.