The Bilingual/Bicultural Education program offers a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the linguistic, academic, social, and cultural needs of English language learners by addressing second language acquisition and bilingual/ESL educational theory, research, and practice. The foundation of the program rests on the sociopolitical, linguistic, and cultural implications of approaches to language education and language policies. The program offers two concentrations for state endorsement, bilingual education and English as a second language (ESL).
Degree Program
· Master of Arts or Master of Education: Bilingual/Bicultural Education
Campus Location
· Lincoln Park
Certification Option
· An Illinois teaching certification option along with the master's degree is available. Consult program faculty.
Endorsements
· Bilingual Education (requires an Illinois proficiency test in the target
language and English as a New Language test)
· English as a Second Language (ESL) (requires an Illinois English as a
New Language test)
Admission Requirements
· A completed School of Education graduate application
· A bachelor’s degree conferred by an accredited, recognized institution
· A previous grade point average of 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale
· A resume or curriculum vitae
· Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors
· One official transcript from all colleges and/or universities attended
· Statement of purpose indicating professional development goals and related experience (750 words)
Degree Requirements
Courses (52 quarter hours)
Three Social and Cultural Foundations courses (12 hours)
SCG 408 Education and the Social Order
SCG 410 Introduction to Research: Purposes, Issues and Methodologies
SCG 439 Philosophy and Psychology of Middle Level Education
Nine Bilingual/Bicultural courses (36 hours):
BBE 402 Bilingual-Bicultural Curriculum Development
BBE 404 Language, Literacy, and Culture
BBE 406 Sociopolitical and Historical Perspectives in Bilingual Education
BBE 407 Equity Issues in Assessment
BBE 425 Biliteracy, Language and Content in Bilingual Education
BBE 466 First and Second Language Acquisition
BBE 520 Research Methods in Bilingual and Second Language Education (prerequisite: SCG 410)
BBE 524 Methods of ESL Literacy and Language Development
BBE 526 Theoretical Foundations of Teaching ESL
Field Experience Hours (0 hours):
BBE 097 Field Experiences in Bilingual and Second Language Education (non-credit)
Masters of Education Degree Only
BBE 510 Advanced Language Seminar(MED degree only)
OR
Thesis/Oral Examination or Papers
Master of Arts. The master’s thesis is written to fulfill the requirements of this course. Oral examination on thesis required.
BBE 589 Thesis Research in Bilingual/Bicultural Education (4 hours).
Master of Education: Capstone project in conjunction with faculty advisement
BBE 608 Capstone in Bilingual/Bicultural Education (non-credit)
Grade Requirements
· A grade of C-, D+, or D is unacceptable for graduate credit in this program, and if earned in a required course must be repeated or substituted as directed by the department or program. Such grades remain on the academic record and are calculated into the cumulative GPA.
Endorsement Only
Courses (28 hrs for 1 endorsement, 32 hours for 2 endorsements)
BBE 402 Bilingual-Bicultural Curriculum Development
BBE 404 Language, Literacy, and Culture
BBE 407 Equity Issues in Assessment
BBE 425 Biliteracy, Language and Content in Bilingual Education
BBE 466 First and Second Language Acquisition
BBE 524 Methods of ESL Literacy and Language Development
BBE 406 Sociopolitical and Historical Perspectives in Bilingual Education (required for bilingual endorsement only)
OR
BBE 526 Theoretical Foundations of Teaching ESL
(required for ESL endorsement only)
Endorsements in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Education require State of Illinois certification tests.
School of Education Departments 
