Bilingual/English as a Second Language, MA
Administrative Unit
This degree is administered by the Office of Graduate Studies and through the faculty of Education, Department of Counseling, Bilingual Education, and Educational Leadership, College of Education.
Objectives
The Master of Arts in Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) education is designed to prepare practitioners who wish to pursue graduate level studies focused on the teaching and learning of English learners/Emergent bilinguals. The degree can enhance careers in bilingual and/or ESL teaching, supervision, curriculum management or educational leaders. Through rigorous academic and research-based program instruction, students develop breadth in one of the two areas in the program. The degree options may also lead to teacher certification in the field of bilingual and/or ESL education.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the College of Education requirements, students seeking teacher certification in bilingual education as a part of this master's degree must apply to the certification program and further demonstrate proficiency in Spanish by passing the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT).
Regular Admission
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours
- Essay submitted and reviewed: "How specifically will the master's in this program support your goals and interest?"
- Two letters of Recommendation: Preferably from someone who has supervised you and/or could speak about your strength and weaknesses.
Conditional Admission
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
- GPA below 3.0 - 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours
- Essay submitted and reviewed: "How specifically will the master's in this program support your goals and interest?"
- Two letters of Recommendation: Preferably from someone who has supervised the applicant and/or could speak about their strength and weaknesses.
- OTHER EVIDENCE: At least one of the following:
- Minimum GRE score of 282 (verbal and quantitative combined);
- May also consider cultural components including, but not limited to, English as a second language, weak academic preparation that can be remediated, student motivation and desire to succeed, evidence of success in career field (e.g., teaching or service awards), and/or candidate's diverse experiences and perspectives. This is submitted in the form of a low GPA document explaining the reasons surrounding the lower GPA and evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study; or
- Official transcripts.
Core Requirements
College of Education Core Requirements
| EDUC 6305 | Research Design in Education and the Social Sciences | 3 |
| EDBI 6323 | History & Politics In Bilingual Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Bilingual Education Courses
*ESL only
**EDBI 6324 and EDBI 6325: Bilingual only
| EDBI 6324 | Teaching Science, Social Studies and Math in Spanish | 3 |
| EDBI 6325 | Teaching Language Arts and Reading for Spanish Speakers | 3 |
| EDBI 6326 | Innovative Methods in ESL & Problem-solving Strategies | 3 |
| EDBI 6327 | Content-Based Language Instruction | 3 |
| EDBI 6323 | History & Politics In Bilingual Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Culminating Experiences
(Choose one)
| EDBI 6332 | Principles of Testing & Assessment in Language Education | 3 |
| EDBI 6333 | Principles of Testing & Assessment in Language Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
PLEASE NOTE - the following courses listed below require students to be on-campus to meet with the committee chair:
EDBI 6398
| | 3 |
EDBI 6399
| | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 30