The Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies offers three graduate degrees: the Master of Arts degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Education, the Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Culture, Literacy and Language. The Department also offers graduate certificates in Bilingual Reading Specialist (BRS), Bilingual Education (OBE), Teaching English as a Second Language (CertTESL), and Technology for Language Education (TLE). For individuals seeking initial Texas Teacher Certification, the Department offers the following concentrations: EC–6 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, 4–8 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, 7–12 Bilingual Supplemental, ESL EC–6 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and ESL Supplemental, 4–8 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and ESL Supplemental, and 7–12 ESL Supplemental as options. Additional information on Certification tracks is available through the Office of Professional Preparation & Partnerships in the College of Education and Human Development.
Criminal History Policy and Acknowledgement
The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) prepares educators and professionals for fields which require fieldwork, internship, practicum, service-learning, and/or clinical teaching. Placements occur in educational, clinical, health care facilities, hospitals, and/or medical settings which require a criminal background check. The University of Texas at San Antonio is required to inform students of the requirements set forth by the Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 53, Sections 53.001 through 53.105.
All COEHD prospective students in a licensure or certification program are required to acknowledge that they have been made aware of these requirements and that they have read the COEHD Criminal History Policy. For more information and for completing the acknowledgement form, please visit the Office of Professional Preparation, Assessment, and Accreditation in the College of Education and Human Development.
Master of Arts Degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Education
The Master of Arts degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Education offers students an advanced study in the design and implementation of bilingual/dual language education programs. Coursework incorporates theories of critical pedagogy and educational equity as well as perspectives on additive bilingualism and biliteracy. This interdisciplinary degree advances understandings of urban education, applied linguistics in bilingual settings, and multicultural children's literature. Grounded in social justice, the program of study examines theory and research related to effective bilingual/dual language education. The master's degree is offered under three options: thesis, non-thesis, and an option with initial Teacher Certification.
Program Admission Requirements
The Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies offers an interdisciplinary program that encourages applicants from a wide range of disciplines. Applicants who do not meet University-wide requirements for unconditional admission may be admitted conditionally if scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), letters of recommendation, and/or previous work in the field provide evidence of academic potential.
Degree Requirements for Option I – Thesis
Degree candidates are required to complete successfully a 30-semester-credit-hour program. Upon completion of at least 24 semester credit hours of coursework, the candidate is required to pass a written and oral comprehensive examination.
Program of Study
Degree candidates must complete the following:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| |
| Social Justice and Multiculturalism in U.S. Urban Settings | |
| Sociolinguistics and Education | |
| Sociocultural Issues and the Teaching of Reading | |
| Multicultural Literature for Children | |
| Theoretical Foundations and Legislative Policies in Bicultural-Bilingual Education | |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | |
| Critical Pedagogies in Bilingual/Bicultural Content Instruction | |
| Biliteracy in Bicultural-Bilingual Classrooms | |
| |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| Advanced Topics in Bilingual and Dual-Language Education | |
| Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural-Bilingual Settings | |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
| Master’s Thesis/Special Project | |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Degree Requirements for Option II – Non-Thesis
Degree candidates are required to complete successfully a 30-semester-credit-hour program. Upon completion of at least 24 semester credit hours of coursework, the candidate is required to pass a written and oral comprehensive examination.
Program of Study
Degree candidates must complete the following:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| |
| Social Justice and Multiculturalism in U.S. Urban Settings | |
| Sociolinguistics and Education | |
| Sociocultural Issues and the Teaching of Reading | |
| Multicultural Literature for Children | |
| Theoretical Foundations and Legislative Policies in Bicultural-Bilingual Education | |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | |
| Critical Pedagogies in Bilingual/Bicultural Content Instruction | |
| Biliteracy in Bicultural-Bilingual Classrooms | |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| Advanced Topics in Bilingual and Dual-Language Education | |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Degree Requirements for Option III – With Teacher Certification
The Master of Arts Degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Education with Teacher Certification (BBED-C) in EC–6 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, 4–8 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, or 7-12 Bilingual Supplemental is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification at the graduate level. The coursework prepares students in the field of bilingual education teaching methods and research. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in field work and a supervised teaching experience. Program of study, modules, and professional development experiences will be provided to prepare students for teacher certification exams. The M.A. in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies with Teacher Certification is designed to prepare students for the Texas Teacher Certification requirements in:
- EC–6 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, or
- 4–8 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, or
- 7-12 Bilingual Supplemental
Criminal History Policy and Acknowledgement
The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) prepares educators and professionals for fields which require fieldwork, internship, practicum, service-learning, and/or clinical teaching. Placements occur in educational, clinical, health care facilities, hospital, and/or medical settings which require a criminal background check. The University of Texas at San Antonio is required to inform you of the requirements set forth by the Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 53, Sections 53.001 through 53.105.
All COEHD prospective students in a licensure or certification program are required to acknowledge that they have been made aware of these requirements and that they have read the COEHD Criminal History Policy. For more information and for completing the acknowledgement form, please visit the Office of Professional Preparation and Partnerships in the College of Education and Human Development. Refer to Procedures for Teacher Certification at the graduate level for additional details.
Program of Study
The Master of Arts Degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Education with Teacher Certification in EC–6 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, 4–8 Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental, or 7-12 Bilingual Supplemental requires admission to the M.A. program and to the Teacher Certification program. Students must complete a supervised teaching experience and a graduate project. Students who are offered a teaching position may elect to complete a year-long, paid internship in lieu of the semester clinical teaching experience. To obtain Texas Teacher Certification, an applicant must meet all educator certification requirements. Information on these requirements is available through the Office of Professional Preparation and Partnerships in the College of Education and Human Development.
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Multicultural Literature for Children | |
| Theoretical Foundations and Legislative Policies in Bicultural-Bilingual Education | |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | |
| Critical Pedagogies in Bilingual/Bicultural Content Instruction | |
| Biliteracy in Bicultural-Bilingual Classrooms | |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
| Language and Content-Area Instruction | |
| |
| Instructional Internship in Teaching | |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language
The Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) is designed for students interested in teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) to children or adults in schools and programs in the United States or in international settings. It is an interdisciplinary program that follows the TESOL teacher education standards and presents systematic instruction in applied/educational linguistics, second language acquisition theory, and ESL/EFL program implementation. The master’s degree is offered under three options: Thesis, Non-Thesis, and an option with initial Teacher Certification.
Program Admission Requirements
The Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies offers an interdisciplinary program that encourages applicants from a wide range of disciplines. In addition to University-wide requirements for unconditional admission, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT score of 84 or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 is required.of international applicants. Applicants who do not meet University-wide requirements for unconditional admission may be admitted conditionally if scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), letters of recommendation, and/or previous work in the field provide evidence of academic potential.
Degree Requirements for Option I – Thesis
Degree candidates are required to successfully complete a 30-semester-credit-hour program. Upon completion of at least 24 semester credit hours of coursework, the candidate is required to pass a comprehensive examination.
Students must take at least 21 semester credit hours of English as a Second Language courses and 6 hours of Bicultural-Bilingual studies courses. A practicum is required for all students in this degree option.
Program of Study
Degree candidates must complete the following 30 semester credit hours of coursework:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists | |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | |
| Sociolinguistics and Education | |
| |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
| Listening and Speaking in English as an Additional Language | |
| Language and Content-Area Instruction | |
| Technology in Language Teaching and Learning | |
| Foundations of Teaching English Language Learners | |
| Language Instruction and Program Development for Newcomers | |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| Approaches to Second Language Instruction | |
| Second Language Acquisition Research | |
| Master’s Thesis (6 hours of masters thesis required) | |
| |
| |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Degree Requirements for Option II – Non-Thesis
Degree candidates are required to successfully complete a 30-semester-credit-hour program. Upon completion of at least 24 semester credit hours of coursework, the candidate is required to pass a comprehensive examination.
Students must take at least 21 semester credit hours of English as a Second Language courses and 6 hours of Bicultural-Bilingual studies courses. A practicum is required for all students in this degree option.
Program of Study
Degree candidates must complete the following 30 semester credit hours of coursework:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | |
| Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists | |
| Sociolinguistics and Education | |
| Foundations of Teaching English Language Learners | |
| |
| |
| Approaches to Second Language Instruction | |
| |
| Language and Content-Area Instruction | |
| |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
| Listening and Speaking in English as an Additional Language | |
| Technology in Language Teaching and Learning | |
| |
| |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| English as a Second Language Teaching Practicum | |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Degree Requirements for Option III - TESL-C
The M.A. in TESL with Teacher Certification (TESL-C) program is designed to prepare students seeking initial teacher certification at the graduate level in:
- EC–6 Core Subjects and ESL Supplemental, or
- 4–8 Core Subjects and ESL Supplemental, or
- 7–12 ELAR with ESL Supplemental.
English learners (ELs), also referred to as Emergent Bilinguals, are among the fastest-growing group in U.S. schools, and ELs in Texas are becoming increasingly diverse, coming from a wide variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Schools need teachers who are trained to work with ELs and who understand how the process of acquiring English as a second or additional language can be fostered, while at the same time helping students succeed across content areas. Additionally, many districts need ESL specialists, and often ESL teachers work in conjunction with dual language programs, newcomer centers for refugee and immigrant children, and students who have transitioned from bilingual programs.
A distinctive emphasis of the program is its holistic view of English language acquisition as a component of a student’s bi-/multilingual development. Dynamic and hands-on courses explore how humans learn additional languages and focus on strategies, techniques, and best practices for teaching ELs in a way that values their linguistic and cultural diversity and addresses K-12 educational contexts in Texas.
Criminal History Policy and Acknowledgement
The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) prepares educators and professionals for fields which require fieldwork, internship, practicum, service-learning, and/or clinical teaching. Placements occur in educational, clinical, health care facilities, hospital, and/or medical settings which require a criminal background check. The University of Texas at San Antonio is required to inform you of the requirements set forth by the Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 53, Sections 53.001 through 53.105.
All COEHD prospective students in a licensure or certification program are required to acknowledge that they have been made aware of these requirements and that they have read the COEHD Criminal History Policy. For more information and for completing the acknowledgement from, please visit the Office of Professional Preparation, Assessment, and Accreditation in the College of Education and Human Development. Refer to Procedures for Teacher Certification at the Graduate level for additional details.
Program of Study
The M.A. in TESL with Teacher Certification (TESL-C) program requires admission to the graduate program and to the teacher certification program. Students must complete a supervised teaching experience. Students who are offered a teaching position may elect to complete a year-long, paid internship in lieu of the semester clinical teaching experience. To obtain Texas Teacher Certification, an applicant must meet all educator certification requirements. Information on these requirements is available through the Office of Professional Preparation, Assessment and Accreditation in the College of Education and Human Development.
The TESL-C program consists of 30 semester credit hours, plus some additional learning modules and practice teaching (contact the current Graduate Advisor of Record for more information).
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | |
| Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists | |
| Foundations of Teaching English Language Learners | |
| |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
| Listening and Speaking in English as an Additional Language | |
| Language and Content-Area Instruction | |
| Technology in Language Teaching and Learning | |
| Language Instruction and Program Development for Newcomers | |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| Instructional Internship in English as a Second Language Teaching | |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Culture, Literacy and Language
The Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies offers opportunities for advanced study and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Culture, Literacy, and Language. The program focuses on interdisciplinary research in multicultural-multilingual contexts and is designed to provide a firm foundation in the fields of cultural studies, literacy development, and language learning and use. Successful Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate in-depth interdisciplinary knowledge in culture, literacy, and language, and must deliver an original contribution to the field.
The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Doctoral Degree Regulations).
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to the University-wide admission requirements, the minimum requirements for admission to the doctoral degree program in Culture, Literacy and Language (CLL) are as follows:
- A master’s degree in an area such as the following: anthropology, applied linguistics, bicultural-bilingual studies, communication, cultural studies, ethnic studies, education (general, bilingual, foreign language, multicultural), history, international studies, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and teaching English as a Second Language. Master's degrees in other fields may be accepted, subject to the approval of the Doctoral Studies Committee.
- A portfolio consisting of the following items will be evaluated by the Doctoral Studies Committee, comprised of members selected from the graduate faculty of the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies:
- A master’s degree transcript documenting a grade point average of 3.5 or better in an approved master’s degree program.
- Proficiency or experience learning, using, studying, or speaking a language other than English.
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to the student’s academic and personal attributes for success in the program and potential for contributing substantially to a field of study related to the degree. Recommenders should discuss applicant's analytical and writing abilities. Minimum one letter from a university academic referee—unless extenuating circumstances preclude this.
- Statement of Purpose: A description of research interests, reasons for seeking doctoral study, and connections between the applicant’s interests/professional goals and the program in Culture, Literacy, and Language; please also discuss your proficiency or experience learning, using, studying, or speaking a language other than English (limit of five double-spaced pages).
- Academic writing: A sample of academic writing such as a paper written for a course, a master’s thesis, or a scholarly publication.
For students whose master's degree is from a non-English speaking university or for students who are coming from a country where English is not the primary language, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT score of 85, 6.5 IELTS, or a Duolingo score of 120 is required.
Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. degree in Culture, Literacy, and Language requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours beyond the master’s degree. The CLL foundational curriculum consists of 24 semester credit hours of required coursework (foundation, core, and designated electives). A minimum of 12 semester credit hours in research methods and 15 semester credit hours in doctoral research must be completed. The remaining 9 semester credit hours consist of elective courses selected with advisor’s approval.
Program of Study
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Proseminar in Culture, Literacy and Language | |
| Research Design and Statistics for Culture, Literacy and Language | |
| Qualitative Research Methods for Culture, Literacy and Language | |
| Research Design and Qualitative Analysis for Culture, Literacy and Language | |
| Educational Research Statistics: Descriptive and Comparative (Or other approved statistical methods course.) | |
| Quantitative Analysis and Research Design in Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching |
| Sociocultural Contexts of Literacy | |
| Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition | |
| Critical Cultural and Social Theories | |
| |
| |
| Seminar in Advanced Research Methods | |
| Seminar in Cultural Studies Research | |
| Seminar in Biliteracy and Second Language Literacy | |
| Seminar in Second Language Learning and Multilingualism | |
| Seminar in Applied Linguistics | |
| Seminar in Mexican American & Latina/o Issues in Education | |
| |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| Biliteracy in Bicultural-Bilingual Classrooms | |
| Sociolinguistics and Education | |
| Latina/o/x Bilingualism in the United States | |
| Sociocultural Issues and the Teaching of Reading | |
| Multicultural Literature for Children | |
| Advanced Topics in Bilingual and Dual-Language Education | |
| Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural-Bilingual Settings | |
| Advanced Topics in Language Policy | |
| Technology for Qualitative Research | |
| Language and Content-Area Instruction | |
| Technology in Language Teaching and Learning | |
| Foundations of Teaching English Language Learners | |
| Second Language Acquisition Research | |
| Advanced Second Language Literacy | |
| Language Instruction and Program Development for Newcomers | |
| |
| Directed Doctoral Research (3 hours minimum) | |
| Doctoral Dissertation (12 hours minimum) | |
Total Credit Hours | 60 |
The entire program of study must be approved by the student’s dissertation advisor, Dissertation Committee, and the Doctoral Studies Committee, and must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School through the Dean of the College for final approval.
Qualifying Examination
Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, will submit the names of three faculty members representing the areas of culture, literacy, and language to the Doctoral Studies Committee for approval. The approved Qualifying Examination Committee will design, administer, and evaluate a two-part (written and oral) examination. The written portion of the examination covers the areas completed in all foundation, core, and designated elective courses and cannot be taken until after the completion of 36 semester credit hours. In order to pass this examination, the student must demonstrate a broad knowledge of culture, literacy, and language. The oral portion of the examination takes place within two weeks of the written portion and focuses on clarifying the student’s ideas from the written portion. The purpose of the examination is to ensure that the student has a sufficient grasp of the theoretical and methodological fundamentals to conduct independent research in the chosen dissertation area. No more than two attempts to pass qualifying examinations are allowed.
Dissertation Committee
Upon successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, the student is eligible to defend his/her dissertation proposal. In preparation for the dissertation research, the student will identify a Dissertation Chair. The research topic will be determined by the student in consultation with their supervising professor. A Dissertation Committee of four members—selected by the student and their Dissertation Chair—must be approved by the Doctoral Studies Committee and Graduate School prior to the proposal hearing/defense.
Dissertation Proposal
The approved Dissertation Committee will guide and critique the student’s dissertation proposal. The student should give a complete draft of the dissertation proposal to the Supervising Professor (Dissertation Chair) one month before the proposal hearing/defense and to the other committee members at least three weeks in advance. The proposal hearing/defense must be advertised to the University community two weeks prior to the set date. Upon successful defense of the proposal, and before conducting the study, the student must secure UT San Antonio Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for any dissertation research that involves human subjects.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to candidacy will require a student to complete all University and program requirements:
- Have an approved program of study
- Pass written and oral qualifying examinations
Dissertation and Final Oral Examination
Candidates must demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research by completing and defending an original dissertation. The Doctoral dissertation must make a substantial contribution to a field within culture, literacy, and language. The final draft of the dissertation should be given to all committee members one month before the oral defense date. The Dissertation Committee must unanimously approve the completed dissertation. The dissertation shall be defended publicly before the student’s committee and interested members of the University community. Therefore, the dissertation defense must be advertised to the University community two weeks prior to the set date. Following an open presentation of the dissertation findings, a final oral examination covering the dissertation and the general field of the dissertation will be administered and evaluated by the student’s Dissertation Committee.
Graduate Certificate in Bilingual Reading Specialist
The Bilingual Reading Specialist certificate is a 15-semester-credit-hour graduate certificate program for those who wish to become bilingual reading specialists, as well as for educators who wish to obtain increased knowledge of reading instruction and literacy development in bilingual contexts.
The Bilingual Reading Specialist certificate offers specialized training for those who possess a valid teaching license and wish to become better prepared to provide appropriate reading instruction to students in bilingual programs in public schools. The program is available to students who have been admitted as special graduate students and seek the certificate independent of a degree, as well as graduate students pursuing an M.A. degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Education.
Certificate Program Requirements
The Bilingual Reading Specialist Certificate requires successful completion of the following five graduate courses:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| 15 |
| Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | |
| Biliteracy in Bicultural-Bilingual Classrooms | |
| Sociocultural Issues and the Teaching of Reading | |
| Multicultural Literature for Children | |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Graduate Certificate in Bilingual Education
The online Graduate Certificate in Bilingual Education is designed for students who want to learn the most important and fundamental theories and teaching strategies in working with emergent bilingual students. Longitudinal studies confirm that students in dual-language programs outperform their peers on district and state-mandated tests compared to peers in early-exit bilingual programs or general education (non-bilingual). The graduate certificate is a 15-semester-credit-hour graduate certificate program.
The Graduate Certificate in Bilingual Education is offered in a 100 percent online format.
Admissions Requirements
For those who wish to apply for the online graduate certificate in Bilingual Education, applicants would need to follow the University eligibility and admission requirements per UT San Antonio’s Graduate School, as listed below:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. The department may consider the GPA of the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Transcripts are required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated into English. Unofficial transcripts will be considered for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University.
- Credential Evaluation: Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) directly from the graduate admission application platform.
- English Language Proficiency: 550 TOEFL Paper; 79 TOEFL Internet; 6.5 IELTS; Duolingo 100.
- Spanish Language Proficiency: Because 2 of the required 5 courses are taught in Spanish, all candidates must read, write, and speak in Spanish.
Certificate Program Requirements
The online Graduate Certificate in Bilingual Education requires the successful completion of the following five graduate courses:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
BBL 5033 | Critical Pedagogies in Bilingual/Bicultural Content Instruction | 3 |
BBL 5053 | Assessment in Bilingual and ESL Programs | 3 |
BBL 5063 | Biliteracy in Bicultural-Bilingual Classrooms | 3 |
BBL 5113 | Theoretical Foundations and Legislative Policies in Bicultural-Bilingual Education | 3 |
ESL 5013 | Introduction to Second Language Acquisition 1 | 3 |
or BBL 6043 | Advanced Topics in Bilingual and Dual-Language Education |
Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language
The Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (CertTESL) is a gateway to the English language teaching profession. It provides students with the specialized training needed to begin a career in English language teaching in the U.S. or abroad, explore a career change, add specialized training to current professional skills, or teach English in retirement. No prior training in language teaching or linguistics is required.
Practical, hands-on courses offer a general foundation in methods, techniques, and strategies for teaching English learners of all ages. The program places a special emphasis on teaching English in multilingual settings, preparing students to offer socially responsible and linguistically appropriate lessons to help English learners develop strong intercultural communication skills.
Note: Admission to the certificate program does not imply admission to any degree program. The certificate in TESL is not equivalent to K–12 teacher certification in ESL or bilingual education in Texas, although some courses may overlap.
Certificate Program Requirements
The CertTESL consists of 15 semester credit hours (five graduate courses). Other courses could be selected in consultation with the student's advisor, based on career objectives.
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
ESL 5013 | Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
ESL 5043 | Listening and Speaking in English as an Additional Language | 3 |
ESL 5033 | Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | 3 |
ESL 5053 | Approaches to Second Language Instruction | 3 |
ESL 5073 | Technology in Language Teaching and Learning | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Graduate Certificate in Technology for Language Education
The Online Graduate Certificate program in Technology for Language Education (TLE) for future language teachers is designed to provide the instructional technology and digital tools knowledge to enhance the language teaching and language learning of their students. This TLE Online Graduate Certificate program aims to expose students to the latest technologies and ways in which students can incorporate them appropriately into various teaching environments (physical and digital). The program’s focus is on providing pedagogical methods to TESL/TEFL, modern language majors, who typically focus on learning how to teach the four basic skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), as well as methodologies for teaching adults and children in diverse contexts, to prepare teachers to teach using digital technologies.
Certificate Program Requirements
The Technology for Language Education (TLE) certificate requires successful completion of four graduate courses:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Technology in Language Teaching and Learning | |
| Introduction to Learning, Design, and Technology | |
| Technology and Learning Cultures | |
| Reading and Writing in English as an Additional Language | |
| Listening and Speaking in English as an Additional Language | |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |