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 (9 hrs.)
EDU 6304 Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 6322 Educational and Behavior Psychology
EDU 6317 Culture and Community in Education or
EDU 6305 Differentiated Instruction

Specialization (15 hrs.)
EDU 6312Applied Linguistics
EDU 6315 Diverse Learners
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

Electives (9 hrs.)
EDU 5317 Special Topics
EDU 6300 Independent Study
EDU 6316 Meso-American Ethnology or
EDU 6320 Language Teaching Research, Theory, and Practice
EDU 6323 Literacy Assessment
EDU 6389 Special Topics
EDU 6317 Culture and Community in Education (only if not taken as Core Course)
ANTH 6332 Research in the Hispanic Community
HIST 5330 Mexican-American History: Texas and Tejanos
EDU6307 Mexican and Mexican-American Literature

The MBE Degree Curriculum: Gifted and Talented Focus

Core Courses (6 hrs.)
EDU 6304 Interpreting Educational Research
EDU 6317 Culture and Community in Education or
EDU 6305 Differentiated Instruction

Specialization (15 hrs.)
EDU 6312 Applied Linguistics
EDU 6315 Diverse Learners
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

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, which is $411 per credit hour for the 2008-2009 AY. Applicants are encouraged to seek sponsorships from their school districts. Campus parking requires a special permit, for which an additional fee is charged.

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 214-768-2184 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).  Teaching Assistants are required to show profesiciency in spoken English by a satisfactory score on the TSE (Test of Spoken English) exam or passing an English as a Second Language course after matriculation. The score from the TSE can strengthen your application and provide an additional distinguishing measurement.

Graduate School Application Deadlines

• Fall semester final deadline: July 15

• Spring semester final deadline: November 15

• Summer semester final deadline: April 15

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.

Supplemental Certification in Bilingual Education

The School of Education and Human Development also offers a Supplemental Certification in Bilingual Education. For information concerning the Certification program, click here or call the phone number below.

ESL Certification

The ESL Certification program offers the four courses that are required for English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification in the State of Texas.

For additional information, please contact the Bilingual/ESL Education Program Office at 214-768-2184 or email at bilingualed@smu.edu.