English for Speakers of Other Languages

The coursework and training related to this optional certification endorsement are intended to enhance an educator’s skills and knowledge to prepare the individual to work with students whose primary language is not English. This is a nondegree program.

Courses available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Tuition is $450 per credit hour. Courses offered online only.


Requirements to Add the ESOL Endorsement by Coursework

  1. Bachelor’s degree or higher.
  2. Initial, Professional, or Alternative Route Certificate at the early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, or PK–12 level.
  3. Completion of all required coursework with an equivalent of a grade of C or better.
  4. English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362) with a passing score of 155.

Guidelines and Requirements for Adding Certification Fields and Endorsements (sc.gov) p. 35: Click here for more information!


Application Requirements

  • Online Application
  • Official Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities -Teacher Certificate

Apply Now!


Required Course Work

3 Credit Hours

This course emphasizes language acquisition pedagogical theories, the impact of culture on language learning, and cognitive processes in second language learning. The course also focuses on cultural and linguistic diversity and identity with an emphasis on culturally responsive learning environment, cultural bias, socio-economic diversity, and the home-school connection.

Prerequisites: Students will need to have a bachelor’s degree or higher and a teacher’s certificate.

3 Credit Hours

This course is designed to meet the varied needs of English learners by focusing on techniques for developing and implementing successful instructional strategies. The focus is on state and nationally-adopted models of second language instruction in the K-12 classroom to prepare effective teachers of English language learners. The course will cover how to identify ESOL students, how to use appropriate instructional and assessment strategies aligned with PK-12 English language proficiency standards, and relevant laws and policies related to the instruction and services provided to an English language learner.

This course is specifically designed for collaboration with content and ESL teachers. It is developed to equip ESL teachers with the skills how to meet the academic and social needs of this unique population ofstudents. This 15-hour practicum will provide the student with experiences working directly with students whose first language is not English.

Prerequisites: Students will need to have a bachelor’s degree or higher; EDUC 667 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity for ESOL Educators and EDUC 668 Principles and Strategies for Teaching ESOL


Nondegree Admission of Graduate Candidates

Admission as a nondegree graduate candidate may be granted when the candidate has a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and meets one of the following:

  1. The candidate does not desire to work toward a graduate degree, or
  2. The candidate is enrolled in another university and desires to obtain credit to be transferred to the graduate school in which he or she is seeking a degree. Program for Alternative Certification (PACE) candidates are allowed to take up to nine (9) credit hours.

Financial aid is not available to nondegree candidates.


Regulations Governing Nondegree Graduate Candidates

A nondegree candidate must present an official transcript showing a conferred baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and present a valid teacher’s certificate. Even though a nondegree graduate candidate has been admitted to the university, he or she has not been admitted to any department or to any degree program. No more than twelve (12) credit hours earned while classified as a nondegree graduate candidate at Charleston Southern University will be accepted toward a master’s degree. A candidate must gain formal admission into a master’s program before being permitted to continue taking graduate courses. Financial aid is not available to nondegree students.