Forbes Advisor Recognition Highlights University’s Commitment to Preparing Educators for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms
Olivet Nazarene University has been named among the top ten best schools in the United States for English as a Second Language (ESL) programs by Forbes Advisor, earning recognition for its innovative online master’s degree and certification options that prepare educators to effectively serve English language learners.
Forbes Advisor analyzed and ranked 142 nonprofit U.S. schools offering online master’s degrees in ESL or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The evaluation considered critical factors including total number of graduate assistants, percentage of students enrolled in distance education, degree cost, student outcomes, and overall student experience to identify affordable, credible institutions that prioritize both academic excellence and practical preparation.
“This recognition from Forbes Advisor affirms what we’ve long known—that preparing teachers to serve diverse learners isn’t just an add-on to education; it’s essential to the future of teaching,” said Dr. Steve Lowe, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Olivet Nazarene University. “In today’s changing classroom demographic, every educator must be equipped with strategies to provide equal access to success for all students.”
Olivet’s unique, affordable program structure offers unparalleled flexibility for working teachers, allowing students to pursue either a standalone ESL/Bilingual Endorsement certificate or integrate the credential into a complete master’s degree program. This efficient pathway enables educators to gain classroom-ready skills in as little as 13 months, or extend to a full master’s degree in under two years with just four additional courses.
Program Highlights:
Classroom-Ready from Day One – Current educational best practices—including engaged learning, learning styles, technology integration, collegial collaboration, and authentic assessment—are threaded throughout the curriculum, providing strategies and techniques educators can apply immediately.
Efficient and Flexible – Accelerated courses meet online with new sessions starting every eight weeks, allowing teachers with busy lives to complete the endorsement in 13 months (18-19 credit hours) or the optional master’s degree in 23 months (32-33 credit hours).
Affordable by Design – With no hidden or repetitive fees, Olivet demonstrates its commitment to education that strengthens communities without creating financial barriers.
Real-World Expertise – Faculty members actively serve culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms across Illinois, bringing current, practical experience directly to students.
Offered fully online through the Olivet Nazarene University School of Education, both the ESL Endorsement and Bilingual Endorsement programs feature similar coursework grounded in interdisciplinary learning. The Bilingual Endorsement requires fluency in a language other than English and passing the Target Language Proficiency (TLP) test.
For more information about Olivet Nazarene University’s ESL/TESOL programs, Click Here. To see the full list of Forbes Advisor top schools, go to https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/teaching/best-masters-in-esl-online/
About Olivet Nazarene University
Olivet Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts university located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Founded in 1907, Olivet offers more than 200 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, combining academic excellence with a Christ-centered education. The university serves approximately 4,700 students through its traditional campus programs and online offerings.
