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Comparing Teacher Credentials: TEFL, TESOL, and U.S. Teaching License
Whether you’re considering TEFL, TESOL, or a U.S. teaching license, this credential comparison resource will provide clarity on which path is right for your teaching goals.
Becoming a teacher is an exciting yet complex decision. It’s essential to choose the certification program that fits your career goals, teaching aspirations, and lifestyle. This guide compares teacher certification programs (like Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW) with TEFL and TESOL certifications, empowering you to make an informed choice about your future in education.
How Do Teacher Certification, TEFL, and TESOL Compare?
| Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Program | TEFL Certification | TESOL Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Program Length
|
9 months
|
120 hours required for most ESL teaching jobs
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120 hours required for most ESL teaching jobs
|
|
Learning Format
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100% online with a unique global cohort model
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100% online with limited cohort opportunities
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100% online with independent coursework
|
|
Approx Hours of Coursework Per Week
|
12-15 hours, including 1 live Zoom session per week and self-paced coursework
|
Varies
|
15-20 hours of self-paced work with no live session
|
|
Tuition
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$7,200 with interest-free monthly payment plans available
|
$400 – 2,500 depending on provider
|
$400 – 2,500 depending on provider
|
|
Application Fee
|
Free
|
Free
|
Free
|
|
Enrollment Fee
|
Free
|
Free
|
$99
|
|
Additional Fees
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None
|
Materials Fees
|
Testing fees may apply; tuition varies by state
|
|
Master’s Add-On Program
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3-month M.Ed.
|
No
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Option to earn up to 12 graduate credits
|
Should I get a TEFL, TESOL, or U.S. Teaching License?
| TEFL | TESOL | U.S. Teaching License | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Eligibility Requirements
|
Generally requires a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree. Some programs prefer prior teaching experience.
|
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree; teaching experience is helpful but not mandatory.
|
Bachelor’s degree required (does not have to be in education).
|
|
Course Duration
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4-12 weeks, depending on program intensity and optional specializations.
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3-6 months on average; some programs may take longer.
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As little as 9 months with Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program.
|
|
Program Format
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Online and in-person options.
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Online and in-person options.
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Online and in-person options.
|
|
Teaching Opportunities
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Primarily allows you to teach conversational English abroad.
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Broader opportunities in teaching English abroad to non-native speakers as well as some domestic settings.
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Certifies you to teach in U.S. K-12 public, private, or charter schools, with access to a wide range of subject areas. Internationally, a U.S. teaching license opens the doors to additional, more prestigious teaching opportunities.
|
|
International Reputation and Acceptance
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Recognized abroad, but typically valid for working in specific countries.
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Similar to TEFL, with wider recognition across global contexts.
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Valid across the U.S. and respected internationally. Educators will need to follow state requirements to get certified in the subject and grade level of their choosing.
|
|
Target Student Demographics
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Non-native English speakers, primarily in schools, language institutes, or private tutoring settings abroad. Not valid for K-12 teaching in U.S. public schools.
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Non-native English speakers in both international and domestic settings, including private and public learning environments. Not valid for K-12 teaching in U.S. public schools.
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U.S.-based public, private, or charter school students in PreK-12 grade levels as well as American international schools.
|
|
Career Advancement Potential
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Focused on short-term contracts abroad; some potential for managerial positions at language schools.
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Can lead to leadership, curriculum design, or ESL trainer roles globally.
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Opens doors to long-term teaching careers, leadership roles, and pathways to administration in the U.S. education system and abroad (like international school teaching opportunities).
|
Choosing the Right Teaching Credential for Your Education Career
Want to Teach English Abroad?
For those who want to live and teach in another country, TEFL or TESOL programs offer a great introduction to English language teaching. TEFL is ideal for those focused exclusively on teaching abroad, while TESOL adds flexibility if you’re also considering opportunities in domestic ESL contexts. These can be a good option for those first exploring teaching or who only plan to teach English language abroad.
Looking to teach more than English as a language?
Those looking to teach other subjects in the U.S. or abroad will want to consider a U.S. teaching license, which can be obtained through an alternative certification pathway like Moreland University's 9-month 100% online TEACH-NOW program. This enables you to teach in the U.S. as well as opens up international teaching opportunities in additional subjects, grades, and schools.
Dreaming of a U.S. Classroom?
If making an impact in U.S. schools is your goal, obtaining a state-approved K-12 teaching license through a program like Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW is the way to go. This program also provides the flexibility to switch between subject areas and pursue roles in school leadership.
Looking to Expand Your Career Potential?
Moreland University’s alternative certification program gives you the best of both worlds. It provides professional training in teaching fundamentals while meeting the requirements for a U.S.-issued teaching license. Whether you want to teach at home or abroad, this pathway prepares you to build a lasting career that makes a real impact.
Find Your Right-Fit Alternative Teacher Certification Program
If you’re considering earning a U.S. teaching license but have a bachelor’s degree outside of education, you’ll need to complete an alternative certification program. But how can you find the best one for you?
Get your FREE copy of The Teacher’s Guide to Finding Your Right-Fit Educator Preparation Program — designed to help future teachers like you understand what to look for in a teacher preparation program and how to select one that best meets your needs, interests, and goals.
“[When] you start trying to find ways to improve in your teaching, you realize to be better in this job market, you need something more [than a TEFL].”
Nikiwe Khambule
TEACH-NOW grad & international educator
"When you’re licensed and you have a master’s degree, you’re seen as a more competent professional in the field of TESOL [and education]."
Freeman Poritz
TEACH-NOW grad & international educator
“If I could choose one word to describe the Moreland program, it would be a door — it was a door to working in Honduras, a door to working in the Netherlands, and really, a door to teaching anywhere in the world.”
Rainier Lee
TEACH-NOW grad & international educator
“In one year, I can get both [a teaching certification and a master's degree]. The price was affordable compared to other programs I found in the U.S. And honestly, Moreland opened a gate for me to follow my dreams.”
Hamed Ghaheri
TEACH-NOW candidate & international educator
Why Moreland’s TEACH-NOW Program Stands Out
Your 9-month pathway to a U.S. teaching license
Speed & Flexibility
With rolling admissions and monthly start dates, TEACH-NOW is designed with busy professionals and career changers in mind — most candidates finish in just 9 months!
Global Cohort Model
With students and alumni from 165+ countries, Moreland provides a global perspective that prepares teachers to confidently lead diverse classrooms.
Affordability & Financing
Tuition is competitively priced, with financing options, scholarships, and payment plans to support a wide range of candidates.
Test Prep Included
Built-in certification test prep ensures Moreland candidates are fully prepared to pass teacher licensure exams.
Mentorship & Support
Moreland provides dedicated mentors, a global learning cohort, and live weekly Zoom classes to give candidates a practical, engaging experience.
Accredited Excellence
Fully accredited by DEAC, CAEP, and other trusted agencies, Moreland is the gold standard for online teacher preparation programs.
FAQs about Comparing TFEL, TESOL, and Alternative Teacher Certification Programs
Do I need a teaching certification to become a teacher?
Most schools and countries require formal certification to teach in K-12 educational settings. TEFL/TESOL certifications typically only apply to teaching English language learners, giving them less versatility and flexibility than a professional teaching license.
Who can enroll in Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program?
Moreland’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Certification Preparation Program is designed for current and aspiring teachers who want to earn their professional teaching licenses. Every candidate who enrolls must have a bachelor’s degree, but it does not have to be in education.
TEACH-NOW's 100% online, global cohort learning model is designed to fit with the schedules of busy, working adults, allowing them to balance their studies with work and personal commitments.
For more information about TEACH-NOW and admissions requirements, please visit the Moreland website.
Can I teach internationally with a U.S. teaching certification from Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program?
Yes, absolutely! TEACH-NOW empowers you to earn a U.S. teaching certification, which is widely recognized and well-respected globally, making it an excellent credential for current and aspiring international educators.
Can I teach English as a second/foreign language with a certification from Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program?
Yes, many TEACH-NOW graduates teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or foreign language to students from diverse backgrounds. TEACH-NOW is designed to give you the foundational instructional skills and knowledge to teach any subject and understand how to continue developing your teaching practice to best serve your students.
How does certification from Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program compare to TEFL Certification?
TEFL focuses exclusively on teaching English in schools outside the U.S., so its curriculum is narrower. TEACH-NOW has a comprehensive curriculum that prepares candidates to earn a full teaching certification and work with students in any learning environment throughout the world. Many TEACH-NOW graduates go on to teach ESL while having the skills and opportunities to lead classes in other subjects, as well.
How does certification from Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program compare to TESOL Certification?
While TESOL covers strategies for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) learners, TEACH-NOW offers a wider curriculum that prepares you to teach diverse subjects in various educational settings, including public and private schools in the U.S. and internationally. Many TEACH-NOW graduates go on to teach ESL while having the skills and opportunities to lead classes in other subjects, as well.