Online Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, MA

View a full listing of courses and course details in the academic catalog.

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Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

Applicants must possess:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants for the TESOL programs are not required to have undergraduate majors in fields such as English, linguistics, or education; however a strong background in one of these is recommended.
• A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5-2.99 may be considered for provisional admission.
• A TOEFL score of 600 or above, for nonnative speakers only. Nonnative speakers of English must score 600 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), at least 250 on the computer-based TOEFL or 100 on the IBT, and must pass a test of written English. Applicants who score between 550 and 600 (213-249 on the computer-based TOEFL; 79-99 on the IBT) may be granted conditional admission, but will be required to complete TESL 500 English for Internationals (3 units) during their first semester of graduate work.

Applicants must submit:

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
• An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Statement of purpose describing educational and professional goals, including reasons for studying TESOL at APU
• Résumé or statement of experience
• One recommendation from a professor or teacher acquainted with the applicant’s academic work.
• TOEFL scores for nonnative speakers of English. Request official TOEFL scores be sent directly to Azusa Pacific University.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively). We also have completely online programs that international students are able to apply for that do not require any travel. Please note in your application if you are interested in our online program options.

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Additional Requirements

• Prior to graduation, native speakers of English must verify completion within the last 10 years of a minimum of 6 semester units of college-level foreign language with at least a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent. Options to satisfy the foreign language requirement include formal coursework and community language learning. Students may also establish proficiency via an exam.

All students graduating from non-English-speaking institutions must satisfy university English proficiency requirements. In addition, the following scores on the Internet-based TOEFL are required for admission to the online TESOL program:

MA in TESOL Tuition and Fees

Note: This information is current for the 2026-27 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current academic catalog for more information.

Financial Aid

At Azusa Pacific University, we make an accessible Christian education possible. To cover the cost of your master’s degree, you can apply for financial aid, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. While types of aid may vary based on your program, your dedicated admissions advisor can help you understand your options and plan ahead.

For more information, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

If you serve in the military—or qualify as a spouse or dependent—you may access financial assistance that helps cover tuition, housing, and books. As a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, APU offers the support and flexibility needed to help you complete your master’s degree.

APU Alumni Tuition Discounts

Continue your journey at APU and build on the foundation you’ve already established. If you’re an APU alum, you may qualify for a School of Humanities and Sciences alumni tuition discount, helping reduce the cost of earning the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

You must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. You must be enrolled at least half-time.

If you meet the qualifications, your discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.

Scholarships

In addition to traditional financial aid opportunities, students in the MA in TESOL program may be eligible for the following scholarships:

• Tsern Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Scholarship: Awards of up to $2,000 for eligible TESOL graduate students.
• Boyd Clarke International TESOL Student Scholarship: Up to $1,000 awarded annually to two TESOL students.
• Charles and Shirley Stapleton Graduate Endowed Scholarship: Up to $500 awarded annually to two TESOL students.

Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).