Bilingual & ESL Education

Master of Bilingual Education

Honoring human diversity in a multicultural society

The Master of Bilingual Education degree program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares specialists in the field of bilingual education and master teachers of students who do not speak English as their primary language. Designed for in-service teachers, the program includes requirements in bilingual education such as literacy, second language teaching, bilingual math and science instruction, linguistics, culture/multicultural education, and community-based research. The program meets the requirements of the Texas Education Agency for master's level programs in bilingual education.

The faculty is drawn from the various academic disciplines represented in the University as well as professors from the Bilingual Education program. Visiting professors and lecturers also contribute to the offerings of the program.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete 36 graduate-level credit hours in one of two degree plans--the Traditional Plan or the Gifted & Talented Focus Plan (see below). The required courses in methodology, linguistics, culture, research, and the history and rationale of bilingual education offer maximum flexibility to those who are interested in broadening both their academic preparation and classroom skills.

Teachers can expand their knowledge in bilingual education disciplines such as English, Spanish, literature, history, and State and Federal law; or they can pursue a supplemental certification in bilingual or gifted/talented education. The core courses help participants refine pedagogical skills needed in the bilingual classroom and develop expertise in the use of methods proven effective with LEP students, as documented by scientifically based research.

The MBE Degree Curriculum: Traditional Plan

Core Courses (12 hrs.)
 EDU 6304 Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 6315 Diverse Learners
EDU 6322 Educational and Behavior Psychology
EDU 6305 Differentiated Instruction

EDU 6322 and EDU 6304 must be taken in the first two semesters of this master's degree.

Specialization (15 hrs.)
 EDU 6312 Applied Linguistics
EDU 6317 Culture and Community in Education
EDU 6321 Bilingualism/Biliteracy
EDU 6339 Bilingual Content Instruction
EDU 6319 Fundamentals of Bilingual Education

ESL (3 hrs.)
 EDU 6390 Classroom Instruction and Assessment for Language Learners or
 EDU 6320 Language Teaching Research, Theory, and Practice
 

Electives (6 hrs.)
 For a list of elective courses contact your MBE adviser.

The MBE Degree Curriculum: Gifted and Talented Focus

Core Courses (6 hrs.)
EDU 6304 Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 6315 Diverse Learners or
EDU 6305 Differentiated Instruction

Specialization (15 hrs.)
EDU 6312 Applied Linguistics
EDU 6317 Culture and Community in Education
EDU 6319 Fundamentals of Bilingual Education
EDU 6321 Bilingualism/Biliteracy
EDU 6339 Bilingual Content Instruction

ESL (3 hrs.)
 EDU 6390 Classroom Instruction and Assessment for Language Learners or
 EDU 6320 Language Teaching Research, Theory, and Practice

Gifted and Talented (12 hrs.)
 EDU 6325 Educating the Gifted and Talented
EDU 6397 Growth and Development of the Gifted
EDU 6347 Creativity: Theories, Models, and Applications
EDU 6388 Curriculum Development for Gifted and Talented Learners

Tuition

Graduate bilingual education students are able to take advantage of SMU's reduced tuition rate for educators. The tuition rate for the Academic Year 2009-10 is $435 per semester credit hour. There is an additional fee for parking. Click here to view parking fees. Applicants are encouraged to seek sponsorships from their school districts.

Financial Aid

Students who are admitted to a degree program (such as the M.Ed. or the M.B.E.) and who enroll for a minimum of 6 hours in any one term may be eligible to apply for federal financial aid.  Applicants may submit forms to financial aid before being accepted into the program.  Click here for more information about financial aid.

Walker Merit Scholarship Program

Please click here for more information about this scholarship program. 

Master's Comprehensive Exam 2009 Dates

  • June 27, 2009          
  • July 11, 2009          
  • November 14, 2009 

The comprehensive exam will be located in Fondren Library West 103B, 103C from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Please click here for more information on the comprehensive exams.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to the program must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university. All applicants must have adequate subject preparation, as evidenced by a 3.0 overall GPA. Proficiency in Spanish or in another language used in a bilingual education program in Texas, such as Vietnamese or Chinese, is required.  To read the Master's Handbook, click here.

Application Procedure

  1. Click here for a printable PDF version of the MBE application.  You may also call 214-768-2346 to request a copy.

  2. Enclose a $75 application fee payable to "SMU: Bilingual Education." this fee is non-refundable. If you have previously paid an application fee to the University, the Bilingual application fee is waived.

  3. Arrange for each school of higher education you have attended to send an official transcript of your academic work directly to the Bilingual Teacher Education office at the address provided below. Transcripts from countries outside the USA must be accompanied by an official evaluation of the transcript by a recognized US evaluation agency. No copies will be accepted.

  4. Distribute three recommendation forms (attached PDF) and ask that they be sent directly to the Bilingual Education Office. Select respondents who can attest to your academic ability, your teaching abilities, and your personal qualities. One recommendation should be from your principal or immediate supervisor.

  5. Statement of Purpose:  Demonstrate competence in writing the English language and the ability to think critically. These competencies will be demonstrated through the submission of a 2-3 page written statement of career goals and how a master’s degree will facilitate reaching these goals.  

  6. Request the official scores (earned in the last 5 years) for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or TOEFL to be sent (if required).

  7. Applicants who are applying that have studied from countries where English is not the native language are required to provide scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). 

Graduate School Application Deadlines

  • Fall semester final deadline: April 1

  • Spring semester final deadline: October 1

  • Priority review final deadline: November 1

  • Summer semester final deadline: March 1

Transfer Credit

Applicants should not expect to receive more than six hours of transfer credit from other institutions. Only courses with a grade of B or above can be transferred. Generally, no credit will be allowed toward the master’s degree for courses taken more than five years before acceptance into the program.