Is A Master's In TESOL/TEFL Worth It?

A Master’s in TESOL is a postgraduate degree. To be eligible for a Master’s in TESOL you need to have an undergraduate degree, which is usually in Teaching, Education or English. A Master’s in TESOL is generally another two years of study, though it can be one.

The main difference between a TEFL/TESOL certificate and an MA in TESOL is that a TEFL certificate is largely practical, while an MA is research-based. 

A TEFL or TESOL certificate is an entry-level qualification. With a TEFL certificate you are qualified to teach English as a foreign language locally, abroad or online. A TEFL certificate teaches you the basics of teaching English as a foreign language, from lesson planning to teaching techniques to assessment. A good TEFL course is comprehensive and intensive but it’s the foundation for a career in TEFL. 

For many TEFL teachers, a TEFL certificate is all they need (and want) to teach English abroad. But others are interested in pursuing TEFL as a lifelong career. Because of this, they look at doing a Master’s in TESOL to further their knowledge and enhance their CV. 

A Master’s in TESOL allows you to do research into a particular aspect of TEFL that you are interested in. Popular topics within a Master’s in TESOL include:

• language acquisition (how learners learn a language)
• language pedagogy (theories of teaching and learning)
• curriculum design
• technology in education, and
• assessment.

As you can imagine, a TEFL certificate and a Master’s degree differ further in terms of duration of the course and cost. A TEFL course is an intensive course which can be completed in a few months. A Master’s degree is one or two years. Because of the nature of the qualification, a Master’s degree is much more expensive than a TEFL certificate.

No, a TEFL/TESOL certificate is not the same as a degree. It’s a teaching qualification which allows you to teach English as a foreign language but it isn’t a degree. Besides, a degree is usually three to four years, while a TEFL certifcate can be completed in a few months – and it’s loads cheaper.

Provided you have an undergraduate degree, you can do a Master’s in TESOL. However, each university which offers a Master’s in TESOL has their own requirements for entry. 

For the most part, teaching experience is helpful when applying for a Master’s in TESOL, but not essential.

The main reason TEFL teachers opt for a Master’s in TESOL is to further their careers. These teachers want to apply for more prestigious teaching positions – which means higher salaries.

Alternatively, these teachers are looking at teaching in a country which prefers TEFL teachers with higher degrees. Many countries in the Middle East, for example, favour job applicants with a Master’s in TESOL.

What’s more, these teachers often have a specific interest in the field of TEFL which they would like to study further and more in-depth.

A Master’s in TESOL is also a ticket to other positions in TEFL which are not teaching roles. Teachers who are interested in curriculum development, materials development or teacher training would benefit from a Master’s in TESOL. And if you want to teach in a university setting, a Master’s degree is a must.

The cost of a TESOL Master’s degree depends on a number of factors.

An online Master’s is likely to be cheaper than a face-to-face Master’s. A Master’s from a world-renowned university costs more than one from a local college. The length of the course can also contribute to the cost of the course – the longer the course, the more expensive the course. 

All in all, a Master’s in TESOL costs between $10,000 and $30,000 per year.

As of May 2023, here are the costs of a few Master’s degrees from different universities across the globe:

• MA TESOL from King’s College London (1 year, on-campus)
  • $15,000 for UK students, $30,000 for international students 

• MA TESOL from UNISA, South Africa (online)
  • From $1,500

• MA TESOL from Arkansas Tech University (2 years, on-campus)
  • $25,000

A Master’s in TESOL is a good idea if you’re looking for higher level teaching positions, or are keen on doing research in TEFL. Because it is a long and expensive course, it’s not worth it if you’re looking to teach English as a foreign language for a short stint abroad or as a part-time hustle.

Having said that, an online Master’s in TESOL is usually more affordable than an in-person degree. It offers flexibility in terms of location and schedule which allows you to work while studying – which can help the financial load as well.

Absolutely. Just as you don’t need to be a native speaker to do a TEFL certificate, you don’t need to be a native speaker to do a Master’s in TESOL. What is required is an Advanced level of English. 

And, just as an aside, don’t forget that you don’t need to speak the local language to teach English in a foreign country. TEFL focuses on immersion learning, so EFL classrooms are by and large English-only zones.

The TEFL Academy can help you get started on your TEFL journey. Chat to us to find out how we can help you!