Endorsement Preparation Program
English Language Learning/English as a Second Language (PK-12)
Degree Overview
Our online ELL endorsement preparation program is a great investment. This program is designed for currently licensed elementary and secondary school teachers who desire to be licensed to teach in ELL or ESL settings. With this endorsement, you will become highly qualified in ELL or ESL, increase your career opportunities, earn re-licensure points, and possibly become eligible for lane changes leading to increased salary.
Who the program is for:
- Licensed teachers with bachelor’s degrees who are interested in ELL or ESL instruction.
- Community college teachers who work in ELL or ESL settings.
- District instructional personnel and curricula leaders.
- "Emergency credentialed" ELL or ESL teachers who need the endorsements to be considered highly qualified.
IMPORTANT: This program is not for those who want to learn to speak and write the English language. This program is also not for those interested in becoming English teachers or teaching English in a foreign country. The program can lead to an endorsement in ELL or ESL, but only in those states that have such endorsements. See the list of states with ESL or ELL endorsements.
Note: WGU is the only exclusively online teacher education institution in the nation to receive NCATE accreditation.
Your program will be flexible and largely self-paced.
Click here to learn more about how your program works.
What You’ll Learn -- Areas of Study:
In this online endorsement in ESL program, you’ll learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed. This program includes one domain of study.
- English Language Learning
Total Program: 26 Competency Units (credit equivalents)
More details about your challenging course of study
View the Program Guide (PDF)

Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.
- Will my state recognize my degree?
- How will I complete my program?
- Is financial aid available?
How will I complete my program?
As a WGU student, you take and complete assessments. You’ll prepare for your assessments by engaging various learning resources including textbooks, web tutorials, and courses. You will determine what learning resources are best for you in consultation with your mentor using your personalized Academic Action Plan (AAP). You can learn more by exploring the WGU Experience. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this program in greater depth.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, WGU offers federal financial aid. Loans are available to most students, regardless of financial need. Grants that don’t require repayment are also available for those with financial need. You can check into your financial aid eligibility at any time during the admissions process. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to learn more or visit the Financial Aid section of the website.