Bilingual Education, Master of Science
Overview
The Master of Science in Bilingual Education is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of bilingual education. The degree provides students a comprehensive understanding of principal theories, research, policy and effective practices designed to meet the educational needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
The program is open to teachers, administrators, counselors, supervisors and other professionals interested in the education of language learners individuals. The program is also committed to preparing teachers to work in a wide variety of settings (Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, foreign or international language). Students work with bilingual education/ESL faculty and with partner mentor teachers in schools within and beyond the city to develop the knowledge base and skills they need to continue their teaching careers as strong and effective teachers. Admission to the program also requires that candidates for the degree demonstrate proficiency in a second language.
The Master of Science degree is offered in two options:
- thesis or
- graduate research project.
Coursework included focuses on the study of the foundations of bilingual education and second language acquisition. The demand for graduates in bilingual education is high due to the increased population of culturally and linguistically diverse students in the United States. Institutions employing graduates include: PK-12 educational settings, non-profit and/or educational agencies, and higher education institutions.
Graduate Admission Categories
Unconditional Admission
For unconditional admission, applicants must have:
- An undergraduate cumulative grade point average between 2.60-2.99 or an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher for the last 60 semester credits (or 90 quarter credits), and an essay,
or - An undergraduate cumulative grade point average between 3.00-4.00 and and essay.
Conditional Admission
Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be conditionally admitted and will be allowed to take program specified required coursework. Students will be unconditionally admitted after successfully completing their first semester with a grade point average of 3.0 or above and by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or above on all A&M-San Antonio graduate courses.
Application Process
Each applicant must submit their application and required documents by the appropriate semester deadline to GradCAS. The application is available online at https://gradcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/. For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Graduate Studies, graduate.studies@tamusa.edu.
In order to apply for admission to Graduate Studies, the applicant must submit an application directly to the Office of Admissions. A student must be admitted both to Graduate Studies and to a specific program in order to take courses for graduate credit. This applies to students with an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University-San Antonio as well as to others. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the appropriate nationally standardized graduate aptitude examination(s). These scores are valid for a period of five years from the date taken. Students with graduate degrees from colleges officially approved by Texas A&M University-San Antonio who are seeking a certificate or endorsement only are exempt from the nationally standardized graduate aptitude examination requirement.
All students wanting to attend Texas A&M University-San Antonio must be proficient in the use of English. Students, regardless of immigration status, whose educational instruction has not been in the English language and/or whose first or native language is not English, must demonstrate proficiency in English. Please refer to the Proof of English Proficiency section for more information. Texas A&M University-San Antonio complies with H.B. 1641 which considers various factors in making a decision for admission into a graduate or professional program.
Program Details
The Master of Science in Bilingual Education is a thirty six (36) hour degree. Twenty-four hours of required courses constitute the core of the degree. Twelve additional hours are taken by students as electives according to their particular professional interests. Courses are conveniently scheduled during the evenings and some courses are also offered in hybrid or online formats.
Prerequisites
Students applying for the degree should have an interest in working with culturally and linguistically diverse students. A candidate for this degree should have proficiency in a second language (Spanish).
Curricula
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDBL 5338 | Foundations of Bilingual Educ | 3 |
| EDBL 5358 | Bil Chld Biculture Env | 3 |
| EDBL 5387 | Lang Arts and Read in Bil Clsr | 3 |
| EDBL 5386 | Math Sci and SS in Bil Clsrm | 3 |
| EDBL 5305 | Graduate Research Project | 3 |
| EDBL 5367 | Lang Acquisition & Developmnt | 3 |
| EDBL 5377 | Teach Engl as a Second Lang | 3 |
| EDBL 5321 | Intro Research Bil Educ & ESL | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Diff Inst Mtrl for Ele/Sec Cls | ||
| Spec Prob Blngl Ed Stdy Abrd | ||
| ESL Assmnt for Elem/Sec Lvls | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Elective Requirement | ||
| Select 12 hours of electives 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
The program allows students to customize their electives in the specialty/support fields listed below to achieve their academic/career endeavors.
- English as a Second Language
- Early Childhood
- Counseling
- Educational Administration
- Special Education
This suggested plan of study is intended to be used as a guide in conjunction with official degree requirements outlined in the catalog. This is an example of a degree track for a M.S.-Bilingual Education. This plan has all electives already selected for the student.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| EDBL 5338 | Foundations of Bilingual Educ | 3 |
| EDBL 5358 | Bil Chld Biculture Env | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDBL 5386 | Math Sci and SS in Bil Clsrm | 3 |
| EDBL 5367 | Lang Acquisition & Developmnt | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EDBL 5331 | ESL Assmnt for Elem/Sec Lvls | 3 |
| EDBL 5334 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| EDBL 5321 | Intro Research Bil Educ & ESL | 3 |
| EDBL 5387 | Lang Arts and Read in Bil Clsr | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDBL 5377 | Teach Engl as a Second Lang | 3 |
| EDBL 5305 | Graduate Research Project | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EDBL 5336 | Diff Inst Mtrl for Ele/Sec Cls | 3 |
| EDBL 5390 | Spec Prob Blngl Ed Stdy Abrd | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |