Ensuring Success for English Learners
Ensuring Success for English Learners (ESEL) is a US Department of Education grant funded program that provides full tuition scholarships for students enrolled in programs to earn ESL teacher licensure at the University of Memphis. Students can earn either initial ESL PreK-12 licensure or (for currently licensed teachers) add on ESL endorsement. Funds each for each year of this program are subject to congressional approval.
Spring 2026 scholarship applications are due November 5th, 2025
All students in this program will receive:
- full tuition (80% paid at the beginning of the semester, 20% after successfully completing courses)
- $200 per semester stipend
- mentoring and advising from the program coordinator
Am I eligible for this scholarship?
All participants must be eligible for in-state tuition at the University of Memphis. Bilingual/multilingual applicants and applicants associated with Memphis Shelby County Schools will have first priority for this scholarship. However, even if you do not fall into those categories, there may be funding available for you.
How can I apply for this scholarship?
All program participants need to apply to this program through the online application form (step 1). If accepted, you must then apply to and be accepted into the TESOL licensure program at the University of Memphis.
What requirements are there for scholarship awardees?
If you are selected for this scholarship, you must then apply to and be accepted in the relevant TESOL licensure program at the University of Memphis (step 2). Scholarship offers will be cancelled for any awardees who are not accepted to the correct licensure program at the University of Memphis. Participants need to demonstrate progress towards their degrees by passing courses and remaining in good academic standing each semester. They also need to participate in all ESEL scholarship program assessment.
Step 1: Apply to the ESEL Program
Step 2: Apply to the University of Memphis
The categories of applications for this program are:
- Bilingual mentors
- Current teachers interested in an ESL add-on endorsement
- Current MAT TESOL students or MAT TESOL applicants
- Current BA TESOL with licensure students or BA TESOL with licensure applicants
If you have questions, or are unsure which category applies to you, contact us at esel@memphis.edu.
Scholarship Application Categories
- Bilingual Mentors
This is a Grow Your Own program designed to help school staff earn teacher licensure while continuing to work in their schools. If you do not have a prior Bachelor’s degree, you can complete this program through the BA TESOL with licensure program. We anticipate cohorts of bilingual mentors enrolled in the BA TESOL with licensure program will begin the program in Spring 2025 and Fall 2026 and complete this program part-time. Courses for this program are offered online or in the evenings to allow school employees to participate.
If you have a prior 4-year university degree or the equivalent, you may apply to complete the program through the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) TESOL program. We anticipate multiple MAT cohorts beginning the program each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Fall 2027. Courses for this program are offered online or in the evenings to allow school employees to participate. Selected courses are available in summer sessions.
- Current teachers interested in an ESL add-on endorsement
Currently licensed teachers are eligible to apply to earn ESL add-on endorsement through the University of Memphis Graduate Certificate in TESOL program. This program is a 15-credit hour graduate program. For the add-on endorsement, students need to additionally complete the ESL Praxis Exam. We anticipate multiple cohorts for this program, beginning each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Spring 2028.
All courses are offered online or in the evenings. Selected courses are available in summer sessions. All credits transfer into the MA TESOL program for students who choose to continue to that program.
- Current MAT TESOL students or MAT TESOL applicants
Current students in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) TESOL program and current applicants for the MAT in TESOL can apply for funding from this program. We anticipate multiple MAT cohorts beginning the program each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Fall 2027. Courses for this program are offered online or in the evenings to allow school employees to participate. Selected courses are available in summer sessions.
- Current BA TESOL with licensure students or BA TESOL with licensure applicants
Current students in the BA TESOL with licensure program and current UofM students planning to declare this major can apply for funding from this program. We anticipate multiple BA cohorts beginning the program each semester from Spring 2025 with the final cohort beginning the program in Fall 2027.
How to Apply
All applicants to this scholarship must be admitted to the University of Memphis. Potential participants must complete both applications to be considered for admission. Funds each for each year of this program are subject to congressional approval.
Step 1: Apply to the ESEL Program
Step 2: Apply to the University of Memphis
Spring 2026 scholarship applications are due November 5th, 2025
For Spring 2026 University of Memphis application deadlines, see individual program webpages (linked below).
Contact Information
| Program Coordinators: Dr. Rebecca Adams Dr. Emily Thrush |
Email: esel@memphis.edu |
Additional Information & Resources
- BA in TESOL Program Information
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) concentration allows students to focus beyond their core English literature, language, and writing courses. Specialized study in TESOL methods and in language assessment provides students with the basic skills needed to teach ESL in the US and abroad. Students enrolled in the TESOL concentration can choose between two tracks: a general TESOL track and a track leading to PreK-12 licensure as an ESL teacher.
- MAT in ESL Program Information
The TESOL master's program results in candidates receiving a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and a Tennessee License to teach grades PreK-12. The program requires a minimum GPA of 2.75. Candidates are not required to take the Praxis exam for entrance into the program.
- TESOL Graduate Certificate Program Information
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) graduate certificate provides training to those interested in teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language. The certificate is given to those who complete the practical preparation needed to teach English both within and outside the US to post-secondary students and adults. The courses for the program focus on the specific knowledge and skills specified for ESL teachers as identified by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc (TESOL).
- ESL Community Resources
The University of Memphis English Department's TESOL program has compiled a list of community resources for teaching and learning English as a second language.
- Undergraduate Course Catalog
Detailed program information and course requirements for the BA in TESOL.
- Graduate Course Catalog
Detailed program information and course requirements for the MAT in ESL.