Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Return to: 3110 Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language

The TEFL certificate program provides students with appropriate skills and a credential to teach English as a foreign/world language abroad. Students majoring in any undergraduate program can earn the TEFL certificate. Students majoring or minoring in Applied Linguistics can simultaneously earn the certificate by carefully planning their course schedule. Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for a College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate certificate.

TEFL Certificate Requirements

TEFL certificate requirements consist of five undergraduate courses offered by the Department of Applied Linguistics and ESL: AL 3021, AL 3041, AL 3051, AL 3101, and AL 4161. AL 3021 is a prerequisite for AL 3041, AL 3051, and AL 4161. AL 2021 Introduction to English Linguistics is a prerequisite to these courses, but students may be exempted from this requirement by taking a departmental exam. AL 3021 is the first course in the series, but may be taken in conjunction with AL 3051 and AL 3101. AL 4161 should be the last course taken, and AL 3051 is a prerequisite to this practicum course.

Minor Requirements

Students who wish to minor in Applied Linguistics should complete the six requirements listed below. (The world language 1002 is waived if it is a requirement in the student’s declared major.) AL 3021 Introduction to Linguistics is a prerequisite for the other required AL courses at the 3000- and 4000-levels. AL 2021 Introduction to English Linguistics is a prerequisite to AL 3021, but students may be exempted from this requirement by taking a departmental exam. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses counting toward the minor.

World language at the 1002-level (3 hours)
Any 2000-level AL course (3 hours)
AL 3021 - Introduction to Linguistics (3 hours)
Select one course (3 hours)
- AL 3041 - Introduction to Second Language Acquisition (3 hours)
- AL 4131 - Bilingualism (3 hours)
Select one course (3 hours)
- AL 4011 - Phonetics and Phonology (3 hours)
- AL 4012 - Morphology and Syntax (3 hours)
Any 3000- or 4000-level AL course (3 hours)

Combined Program Requirements
Students who wish to complete both a TEFL certificate and a minor may count some of the same courses toward requirements for both programs. See the departmental advisor for more information on this combined program of study.