Inspire and advocate for underserved students

The Bilingual-Bicultural Education (MA/MEd) focuses on teaching and supporting language learners at all age levels. Make a direct impact on the academic and social lives of your students by more effectively incorporating theory, practice and cultural context into your classroom.

You have the option to pursue an Illinois teaching license or add a bilingual endorsement and/or an ESL endorsement to your current license by taking additional courses. Classes are offered in the evening on the Lincoln Park Campus. The program can be completed in two years as a full-time student.

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Multicultural students in a multicultural city

Our location in Chicago means you’ll work with students and families from all over the world. These native speakers of many languages will need the support and guidance of a dedicated teacher like you.

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis. Priority deadlines for scholarships are as follows:

• Fall: August 15
• Winter: December 1
• Spring: March 1
• Summer: May 1

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, official transcripts, résumé, letters of recommendation, personal statement and a copy of your state teaching license.

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Required Courses

You’ll take two social and cultural foundations courses, nine bilingual bicultural courses and complete 100 field experience hours.

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100%

of Bilingual-Bicultural Education graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

 

$59k

The average reported salary for Bilingual-Bicultural Education graduates was $59,000.

Learn from board appointed faculty

Study at DePaul, you'll get the chance to learn from faculty like Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Leadership, Language, and Curriculum, Sonia Soltero. Soltero previously served as Director of the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Graduate Program, and has been appointed to teams like Chicago Mayor-Elect Lightfoot's Education Transition Team, the National Association of Bilingual Education Dual Language Advisory Council, and the DePaul President Diversity Advisory Council.

“If you are passionate about dismantling systems of oppression for students of color and who are marginalized because of their background and language, this is the right program for you. You will build your background knowledge through the understanding of what's been happening historically, but also learn how to improve outcomes for those students.”

Velia (MA/MEd ’05)

Senior Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Accelerate Institute

Alumni Network

The Bilingual-Bicultural Education MA/MEd program has graduates in more than 20 states, providing you connections and support across the country. Graduates work in traditional school settings as well as virtual classrooms at home and abroad. You’ll continue learning from this community of educators long after you’ve earned your degree.

Scholarships

Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.

Bilingual Education Program Admission Requirements

Admission Eligibility

DePaul offers several program options in Bilingual-Bicultural Education: a Bilingual-Bicultural master's degree, a Bilingual Education endorsement, and an English as a Second Language endorsement, as well as an Early Childhood Bilingual/ESL endorsement. To be eligible to enroll in any of these programs, students must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Educators seeking a Bilingual endorsement, an English as a Second Language endorsement, or an Early Childhood Bilingual/ESL endorsement must also hold a teaching license.

Application Requirements

A complete application to one of DePaul's Bilingual-Bicultural Education programs will include the following materials:

• Graduate admission application
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• Résumé
• One letter of recommendation from a professor or work supervisor
• Personal statement indicating professional development goals and related experience (at least 750 words)
• $40 application fee
• Copy of state teaching license (only required for applicants to one of the endorsement programs)

Applicants who have earned a degree outside of the U.S. or who are considered international students must submit additional materials. Visit our International Students page for more information.

Applicants can upload supplemental application materials, send requests for letters of recommendation, and pay the application fee through our online application system.

Application Deadlines

The Bilingual-Bicultural Education program admits new students every quarter: fall, winter, spring and summer. It offers rolling admission, but the regular deadlines are set to assure students full consideration for admission and financial aid. The program will continue to accept and process applications after the regular deadline if space is available.

Term	Regular Deadline
Fall	August 15
Winter	December 1
Spring	March 1
Summer	May 1

Applicants typically receive an admission decision 3-4 weeks after submitting a complete application.

Information Sessions

Learn more about the Bilingual-Bicultural Education?? graduate program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.

Degree Requirements

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Course Requirements

Bilingual Bicultural Courses: 36 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
BBE 402	DESIGNING LANGUAGE PROGRAMS	4
BBE 570	LANGUAGE, LITERACIES AND CULTURES	4
BBE 406	SOCIOCULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION	4
BBE 407	EQUITY ISSUES IN ASSESSMENT OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS	4
BBE 425	BILITERACY PRACTICES IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION AND ESL	4
BBE 560	SECOND, WORLD AND HERITAGE LANGUAGE ACQUISITION	4
BBE 524	METHODS OF TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE	4
BBE 526	THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING ESL AND WLE	4
BBE 599	LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATING LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE LEARNERS	4

Social and Cultural Foundations Courses: 8 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
SCG 408	EDUCATION AND SOCIETY	4
SCG 403	HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING: ELEMENTARY	4
or SCG 406	HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING:SECONDARY

100 Field Experience Hours: Non-credit, non-tuition, PA grade required

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
BBE 97	100 FIELD EXPERIENCE HOURS IN ESL / BE DOCUMENTED	0

Master of Arts (MA) Degree Requirements: 4 quarter hours, grade of C or better required

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
BBE 589	THESIS RESEARCH IN BILINGUAL-BICULTURAL EDUCATION	4

The Master’s Thesis is completed in conjunction with faculty advisement. Preparation for the writing of the Thesis should begin well in advance of the completion of coursework. Oral examination on Thesis required. Consult the MA Thesis Handbook for additional information.?

Master of Education (MEd) Degree Requirements: 4 quarter hours, grade of C or better required

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
BBE 510	SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION AND CULTURE (MEd degree only)	4

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.

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