The MA is an advanced, graduate degree, while the TESL Certificate is a shorter undergraduate program. The MA takes longer and costs more to complete than the TESL Certificate. With the MA, you will be qualified for more positions and you will have more advanced training. The MA is usually required for teaching in the US. The MA also prepares you for research work and can be a step towards a doctoral program. If you are interested in a long-term career in TESOL or Applied Linguistics, a graduate degree is often a wise investment. If you are interested in ESL teaching as a shorter-term job, especially internationally, or you need to finish your degree faster and with less expense, a TESL Certificate may serve you better. Talk with the Applied Linguistics faculty advisor and attend information sessions if you are trying to decide between the programs.