Bilingual/English as a Second Language, MA

Competencies

Upon completion of the Bilingual/ESL program, graduates will be able to:

1. Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Pedagogy
   Design and implement inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that support the linguistic and cultural diversity of multilingual learners and promote educational equity.
2. Language, Culture, and Discourse Analysis
   Analyze the relationship between language and culture by interpreting proverbs, idioms, and texts across languages, and evaluate how cultural values, social norms, and historical contexts shape meaning and language acquisition.
3. Historical and Policy Foundations of Bilingual/ESL Education
   Analyze and explain key historical developments, legislative milestones, pedagogical shifts, and societal influences shaping bilingual and ESL education in the United States from the late nineteenth century to the present.
4. Research, Inquiry, and Scholarly Communication
   Design and evaluate research‑based projects or initiatives that address problems of practice in educational settings; synthesize primary and secondary sources; and communicate findings through professional‑quality written and oral presentations.
5. Curriculum Design and Instructional Planning
   Design standards‑aligned bilingual and ESL curriculum units for K–12 settings that integrate content areas such as science, mathematics, and social studies, incorporate appropriate language development strategies, and align with state standards and WIDA English Language Development levels.
6. Bilingual Literacy and Language Development Strategies
   Create instructional strategies and lesson plans targeting reading, writing, speaking, and listening across content areas to support English learners’ language and literacy development.
7. Assessment and Data‑Informed Instruction
   Develop and analyze diagnostic assessments to identify student strengths and needs in both languages, use assessment data to inform instruction, and design targeted intervention strategies.
8. Evaluation of Educational Approaches and Methodologies
   Compare and evaluate instructional models and philosophies, including assimilationist approaches, transitional bilingual education, and dual‑language programs, and assess their effectiveness for diverse student populations.
9. Professional Engagement and Dissemination
   Produce clear, concise, and persuasive professional proposals, including conference proposals, that articulate the purpose, methods, significance, and implications of scholarly or professional work for targeted audiences.

Admission Requirements

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 to 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

Emphasis: Bilingual Education Courses

**EDBI 6324 and EDBI 6325: Bilingual only

Emphasis: ESL Education Courses

Culminating Experiences

(Choose one)

Total Credit Hours: 30