The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Biliteracy (M.Ed.) - Online Program

CIP Code

13.0201.00

Overview 

A central goal of educators is to provide equitable educational opportunities to all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, language, culture, or socioeconomic status. One of the most controversial school programs, bilingual education, is committed to this goal. UTRGV’s innovative and unique Master of Education in Bilingual Education is designed to develop master teachers and advocates with a thorough understanding of effective enrichment bilingual education and practices that not only meet the educational needs of Spanish speakers, but also provide bilingual/biliterate/bicultural enrichment opportunities for all children. Students in this degree program take coursework in language development, second language acquisition, and models of effective practice, linguistics, and assessment. Unique among master’s degrees in bilingual education, our degree program prepares "dual experts" in various areas to promote and support enrichment bilingual education. Students completing the degree will be able to provide expert instruction, advise administrators, participate in program development, and lead professional development for schools and districts. Above all, students will become agents of change by advocating for bilingual learners and equitably implementing education policy for bilingual and their communities. TheBiliteracy Specialization of the MED in Bilingual Education is in English and focuses on preparing teachers who are knowledgeable of the practical and theoretical aspects of literacy with special emphasize on bilingual, multilingual, transnational and immigrant context.

This program is 100% online.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in bilingual education, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below.

  1. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours. If applicant does not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA criterion of 3.0, the applicant will be evaluated holistically using a Likert scale reflecting professional goals, GPA, professional success from resume, and success on related prior course work.
  2. Personal statement essays (complete both a and b). Essay A: Write 250 words in English explaining your interest in graduate studies. Essay B: Write 250 words for your chosen specialization: Biliteracy Specialization: In English, explain your interest in helping bilingual students develop biliteracy.
  3. Resume which includes educational and background and work experience
  4. Documentation of one of the following: (a) Teacher certification in the U.S. or, (b) Licenciatura or equivalent from another country, in a field related to education or language, or (c) Employment in a charter school, private school, or a community college. For applicants without teaching certification or experience, conditional admission may be considered.

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

Required Courses - 27 Hours

EDFR 6300Research Methods in Education

3

EDFR 6388Introduction to Historical and Sociocultural Foundations of Education

3

EDBE 6322Bilingual/Multilingual Critical Issues

3

EDBE 6324Dual Language Enrichment Education

3

EDBE 6335Bilingual Content Area Across the Curriculum

3

EDBE 6350The Bilingual Reading Process

3

EDBE 6351Research on Language Development in Bilingual Environments

3

EDBE 6365Action Research in Dual Language and ESL Education

3

EDBE 6367Assessing Emergent Bilinguals

3

Non-Thesis Option

Specialization Courses – 9 Hours

Choose three from the following:

RLIT 6311Crossing Borders with Literature for Young People

3

RLIT 6313Literacy Development and Language Study

3

RLIT 6333Biliiteracy in the Classroom

3

RLIT 6345Transnational and Immigrant Literacies

3

Capstone Requirement

Students must pass the departmental written comprehensive exam.

Thesis Option

Specialization Courses – 3 Hours

Choose one from the following:

RLIT 6311Crossing Borders with Literature for Young People

3

RLIT 6313Literacy Development and Language Study

3

RLIT 6333Biliiteracy in the Classroom

3

RLIT 6345Transnational and Immigrant Literacies

3

Thesis – 6 Hours

With the thesis option, students must complete the thesis sequence instead of 6 hours from the degree plan with the guidance from the graduate advisor and /or thesis committee chair.

EDBE 7300Thesis I

3

EDBE 7301Thesis II

3

Total Credit Hours: 36