Cohort-model learning for educators working with emerging bilingual students

The Equity, Bilingualism, and Biliteracy (EBB) master’s program is primarily intended for classroom teachers and community educators who have an expressed interest in working with emerging bilingual students and families in a variety of settings but especially in the classroom or other informal educational spaces. While the program’s primary focus is on licensed (or soon-to-be licensed) teachers, all applicants interested in working with bilingual learners are encouraged to apply.

Beginning in Spring 2023, the EBB Master’s program will be offered exclusively in a cohort model and in partnership with our nationally recognized BUENO Center for Multicultural Learning and local school districts. Spring 2024 admission is offered exclusively to current members of a BUENO cohort. All other applicants should apply to Fall 2024. 

If admitted to Fall 2024, you will learn alongside current teachers across the state of Colorado who are involved with our BUENO Center Graduate Program. Please note that courses will not take place on the CU Boulder campus, and they will be held virtually on Zoom in the early evening hours and on a few select weekends. If you have questions about the Fall 2024 learning model, please contact Tammy Molinar-LeBlanc prior to submitting your application.

 

This program area offers three Master's concentration areas:

MA in Equity, Bilingualism, & Biliteracy: Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education

The CU Boulder School of Education offers the Master’s degree in Equity, Bilingualism, & Biliteracy with an emphasis in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. Completion of this program qualifies one for a Colorado endorsement in the area of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (K-12). Individuals who are fluent in Spanish and complete the endorsement in Linguistically Diverse Learners may also be eligible for the Linguistically Diverse Education Specialist: Bilingual Education endorsement.

The program provides a range of direct experiences in bilingual/multicultural/English Language Development (ELD) education with the opportunity to develop skills and competencies essential to the work of educators of the linguistically different learner. The overall purpose of the program is to develop sound bilingual/multicultural/ELD competencies in teachers and school leaders. Program course work includes foundations of bilingual/multicultural education, assessment practices and issues, methods in bilingual and ELD, and a field-based practicum. Participation in the program may be on a “part-time” basis. International students seeking participation in this program should consult with a faculty advisor before applying for admission and must complete a practicum in a public school. This program is not appropriate for individuals wishing to teach English as a foreign language in other countries.

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete 31 credit hours of approved coursework while maintaining at least a B (3.0) average in all work attempted while enrolled.

Required courses are as follows: 

  • EDUC 5425 Intro to Bilingual/Multicultural Education or EDUC 5465 Intro to ELD/Bilingual and Special Education
  • EDUC 5445 Curriculum for Multicultural Education 3
  • EDUC 5035 Parent and Community Involvement 
  • EDUC 5435 Materials and Methods in Bilingual/Multicultural Education 
  • EDUC 5455 Literacy for Linguistically Different Learners 
  • EDUC 5535 Diagnostic Testing in ELD & Bilingual Education 
  • EDUC 5605 Research Issues in Bilingual Education 
  • EDUC 5615 Second Language Acquisition 
  • EDUC 5625 Methods of Teaching ELD
  • EDUC 5595 Practicum in Linguistically Different: English as a Second Language (4 credit hours)

MA in Equity, Bilingualism, & Biliteracy: Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Ed/Special Ed Generalist

The School of Education offers the Master’s degree in Equity, Bilingualism, & Biliteracy: Bilingual/ELD Special Education. Completion of this program qualifies one for a teacher certification double endorsement in the areas of Special Education Generalist and Linguistically Diverse Education (K-12). Graduates of this program are typically employed in school special education programs. The program offers courses in foundations in special and bilingual/multicultural education; assessment issues and practices in bilingual/ELD special education; methods of bilingual, ELD and special education; and a field-based practicum. This program is not suitable for international students seeking preparation in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). This is a “part-time” program with courses offered evenings and summers. This program is designed to be completed over a three year period.

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete 36-37 credit hours of approved coursework while maintaining at least a B (3.0) average in all work attempted while enrolled.

The following 3 credit hour courses are required:

  • EDUC 5035 Parent and Community Involvement 
  • EDUC 5455 Literacy for Linguistically Different Learners 
  • EDUC 5465 Intro to ELD/Bilingual and Special Education 
  • EDUC 5505 Education of Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders 
  • EDUC 5515 Curriculum and Assessment for Special Learners 
  • EDUC 5525 Research Issues in Special Education 
  • EDUC 5535 Diagnostic Testing in ELD & Bilingual Education 
  • EDUC 5545 Strategies for Teaching Students with Special Needs 
  • EDUC 5615 Second Language Acquisition
  • EDUC 5625 Methods of Teaching ELD 
  • EDUC 7105 Collaboration to Meet Special Needs
  • EDUC 5555 Practicum in Bilingual/Special Education (3-4 credit hours)

MA in Equity, Bilingualism, & Biliteracy: Social/Multicultural/Bilingual Education

This program is a non-endorsement degree with an interdisciplinary focus. The program offers courses in foundations of bilingual/multicultural education, curriculum and methods in multicultural education, and curriculum theory. Participation in the program may be on a part-time or full-time basis. This MA degree is appropriate for those who already have a Colorado CLD endorsement but want to deepen their understanding of working with bilingual students and families. Many of the required courses are identical to those taken by teachers seeking endorsements. The primary difference is that students can work with their advisors to determine 15 credit hours of individualized elective coursework

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete 30 credit hours of approved coursework while maintaining at least a B (3.0) average in all work attempted while enrolled.

Select one of the following required courses:

  • EDUC 5525 Research Issues in Special Education
  • EDUC 5605 Research Issues in Bilingual Education

12 credit hours of suggested bilingual, ELD and multicultural education courses. Courses include the following:

  • EDUC 5035 Parent and Community Involvement
  • EDUC 5425 Foundations of Bilingual/Multicultural Education
  • EDUC 5445 Curriculum for Multicultural Education
  • EDUC 5455 Literacy for Linguistically Different Learners
  • EDUC 5615 Second Language Acquisition
  • EDUC 5625 Methods of Teaching ELD

15 credit hours of elective courses. Electives may be selected from any School of Education program area or in other departments on campus, with the agreement of the
advisor.

Scholarships

Applicants to our Master’s programs will be considered automatically for a handful of scholarships at the time of admission. Applicants do not need to do anything to be considered apart from completing the application for admission by the posted application deadline. Automatic-consideration scholarships for MA students are only available for applicants to the Fall or Summer terms. All scholarships are one-time awards and will be applied across the Fall and Spring semesters. Automatic-consideration scholarships for the Equity, Bilingualism, & Biliteracy program include the Ceal Barry Education Scholarship Fund ($1200) and the Pearl McPherson Spencer Scholarship ($1000). 

Admissions Requirements

  • A Personal Statement
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts required after admission)
  • If international, TOEFL scores
  • Application Fee ($60 domestic application/$80 international) along with the application

Admission to all our graduate programs is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. Criteria are considered in the aggregate. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. For more information, contact edadvise@colorado.edu.

Deadlines

  • Fall & Summer Application Deadline: January 15, international
  • Fall & Summer Application Deadline: February 1, domestic
  • Spring Application Deadline: October 1, international and domestic 

For more information about courses and program requirements, visit the CU Boulder Course Catalog.