There are various types of TESOL programs .

a) University based programs
In an attempt to generate vital income, many universities across the globe have introduced TESOL courses, ranging from Certificate to Masters courses. Whilst most universities are accredited per se within their legal jurisdiction, courses such as TESOL courses are not necessarily accredited by local authorities. Combined TESOL courses where two universities in diferent countries combine are likewise not singularly or bilaterally jurisdictionally accredited as TESOL providers for that particular joint program.

b) College based programs
In an attempt to generate vital income, many Colleges across the globe have introduced TESOL course, especially Certificate courses. Whilst Colleges are/may be accredited per se, courses such as TESOL courses are not necessarily accredited by local authorities..

c) Private legal entities (schools) TESOL programs
A global explosion of TESOL courses run by private schools has occurred and will continue unabated for some time to come. School TESOL courses are not accredited by any authority. However, most schools are licensed by local Education authorities, thus a degree of control exists over school administration.

d) Private legal entity TESOL programs (non school based)
TESOL courses spring up occasionally from time to time. These are run by business entities who have no physical education location but hire out a location for a short term one off course.

e) Attendance and on-line programs
A mixture of on-line courses combined with attendance factor. These course give the applicant who is too busy to attend a good chance to study TESOL from home, whist attending at some compulsory face to facer sessions.

f) On-line TESOL Certificates
A plethora of courses exist on-line with fees ranging from very cheap to very expensive. No control exists over the operators of these on-line courses who often exist in cyber space only. Some courses are very well run, others are designed to generate certificates similar to degree mills.