Bilingual Education & Diversity Studies

Program Philosophy

The Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies Program is dedicated to preparing current and future educators and leaders who, through a rigorous academic and research-based program of instruction, offer second language learners access to an excellent education.  Our undergraduate and graduate programs recognize, value, and integrate the importance of multilingual and multicultural pedagogies for all students. Furthermore, the program emphasizes that effective research-based instruction for second language learners will result in positive learning outcomes and dispositions, ensuring that our graduates become vital advocates for all members of a global society.

Standards

Course and program work within Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies is developed and guided by a strong conceptual framework, the standards from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), criteria from the State of Texas, guidelines from numerous professional associations, and the sound professional judgment of an experienced and caring faculty.

CERTIFICATION programs

A major goal of students in certification programs is to become qualified to teach students whose first language is not English.  General information about teacher certification is available online.  More specific information is available for the three certification programs within Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies in the student handbook. 

• Two programs are for undergraduate students and culminate in a Bachelor of Science Degreeand an early childhood through sixth grade (EC-6) teaching certificate.  Such individuals are certified to teach in any EC-6 classroom.They are also allowed to teach in bilingual or English-as-a-second language (ESL) classrooms by focusing their work in either the bilingual education or ESL settings
• The post-baccalaureate program is for individuals who already possess a bachelor’s degree and are seeking initial certification with bilingual or ESL supplemental certification as well as for individuals who currently hold initial teaching certification and want to add the bilingual or ESL supplemental certification.

 

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

A student may opt to simultaneously work on a Master’s Degree in Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies and complete the supplemental certification in Bilingual or ESL education. The academic requirements for a Master’s degree and for the Bilingual and ESL certificates have some courses in common.

• Individuals seeking a Master’s of Education Degree program in bilingual education can find more detailed information online in the Master’s Program Handbook.  General information about College of Education graduate programs may also be reviewed online.
• Students may also pursue advanced graduate work in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies Area of Emphasis.