Childhood Education Teacher (1-6) Bilingual Education, M.S.Ed.

Program Requirements

The program in bilingual education prepares candidates to teach in bilingual settings where two languages are used as the mediums of instruction. This program provides candidates with a solid foundation in the theory and practice of bilingual education. Courses include the following topics: bilingualism, research, methodology, biliteracy, content instruction in bilingual settings, and multicultural education. Option A is designed for candidates who already hold certification in Childhood Education. Option B is designed for career changers and includes an additional 21 credits of education course work as well as one semester of student teaching in a bilingual setting. These courses of study include a 15-credit bilingual extension which can be taken as an advanced certificate (see Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Education, Birth–12).

Students will enroll in the appropriate course of studies listed below (Option A or B) based upon teaching experience, previous course work, and the teaching certificates they hold.

Option A (36 Credits)

Matriculation Requirements

This program applies to students who hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education and wish to attain a Professional Certificate in Childhood Education with an Extension in Bilingual Education. This program also applies to students who have a Professional Certificate in Childhood Education and wish to pursue an Extension in Bilingual Education. All students who wish to enroll should speak to the Bilingual Program adviser.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both English and in a language other than English (the language in which they seek the extension.) Proficiency in the language other than English is determined by the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) which is offered by New York State. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” of the Brooklyn College Bulletin of Graduate Programs.

Degree Requirements

36 credits are required for the degree.

Required courses are listed below; courses marked with an asterisk (*) are bilingual extension courses.

• CBSE 7200T, 7202T, 7203T, 7204T, 7215X, 7350T*, 7351T*, 7353T*, 7355T*.
• Puerto Rican and Latino Studies 7145X*
• Mathematics 7141T.
• Any graduate level course in General Science or 7000-level course in Earth and Environmental Sciences.

During the first semester, students must file a program of study approved by the program adviser. All courses in the childhood education degree sequence and in childhood bilingual extension programs require departmental permission for registration.

Option B (54 Credits)

The following program applies to students who do not hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education or Childhood Education or Special Subjects or equivalent course work and teaching experience, or who are teaching but do not hold initial certification. This program leads to both New York State Initial and Professional Certificates in Childhood Education (grades 1–6) and a bilingual extension.

Matriculation Requirements

This program applies to students who do not hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education or Childhood Education and wish to attain a Professional Certificate in Childhood Education with an Extension in Bilingual Education.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both English and in a language other than English (the language in which they seek the extension.) Proficiency in the language other than English is determined by the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) which is offered by New York State. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” of the Brooklyn College Bulletin of Graduate Programs.

Degree Requirements

54 credits are required for the degree.

Required courses are listed below; courses marked with an asterisk (*) are bilingual extension courses.

• CBSE 7205T, 7216X, 7440T, 7213T, 7671X and 7358.
• CBSE 7200T, CBSE 7202T, CBSE 7203T, CBSE 7204T, CBSE 7350T*, CBSE 7351T*, CBSE 7353T*, CBSE 7355T*
• Puerto Rican and Latino Studies 7145X*.
• Mathematics 7141T.
• Any graduate level course in General Science or 7000-level course in Earth and Environmental Sciences.

During the first semester, students must file a program of study approved by the program adviser. All courses in the childhood education degree sequence and in childhood bilingual extension programs require departmental permission for registration.

Nonmatriculated Students

Students with a New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education and/or a New York State Professional Certificate in Childhood Education or their equivalents who wish to complete an Extension in Bilingual Education without completing a master’s degree in Childhood Education, may do so as a nonmatriculated student. The bilingual extension can be applied to all New York State Certifications including Teachers of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD). Permission from the head of the Program in Bilingual Education is required.

The Bilingual Extension (Birth–12) consists of 15 credits. Required courses are listed below. This option is applicable for candidates who hold initial certification, except TSSLD students.

CBSE 7350T, 7351T, 7353T, and 7355T; and Puerto Rican and Latino Studies 7145X. TSSLD students must complete the following course sequence: CBSE 7350, CBSE 7351, CBSE 7353, SPEC 7535/CBSE 7360, and SPEC 7536/CBSE 7359.

All courses in childhood education and in bilingual extension programs require departmental permission for registration.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Understands the major concepts of bilingual education theory and practice across developmental levels including the history of bilingual education (InTASC, Standard 4)
• Understands and inquires about the development and growth of a variety of emergent bilingual students across developmental levels and school contexts (InTASC, Standard 1)
• Able to translate the most current bilingual education theories to practice that supports the development of emergent bilinguals across developmental levels and content areas. (InTASC, Standard 4)
• Recognizes and respects the group and individual differences of emergent bilingual students and uses these differences as resources in student learning (InTASC, Standard 2)
• Identifies, modifies, and executes practices that ensure that both the physical and interactional learning environment supports a healthy attitude towards language diversity and language learning and supports emergent bilinguals’ overall academic and social development (InTASC, Standard 3)
• Understands how to support students’ language development alongside overall academic and social development through the use of their entire linguistic repertoire and multiple modalities (including play, art, digital literacies, etc.) (InTASC, Standard 5)
• Thoughtfully plans developmentally-appropriate and culturally sustaining pedagogy that results in rigorous learning of language and content (InTASC, Standard 6)
• Can adapt and utilize a range of informal assessment tools to accurately assess emergent bilinguals’ growth in both content area skills as well as language (InTASC, Standard 6)
• Can develop and implement instructional strategies that take into account the multiple dimensions of the bilingual learning (including linguistic diversity, cultural background, race, socioeconomic background) and honors and builds off students’ resources (InTASC, Standard 7)
• Structures experiences so that bilingual students can build and develop metacognitive and metalinguistic practices to support bilingualism and learning in general (InTASC, Standard 8)
• Engages in frequent and collaborative professional development experiences that, at times, cuts across grade bands and languages, to develop an identity as a bilingual practitioner (InTASC, Standard 9)
• Collaborates with other colleagues to discuss, share, and lead to improve the educational lives of emergent bilingual students alongside the collaboration of families and community members (InTASC, Standard 10)

Admissions Requirements

• Fall Application Deadline: July 15
• Spring Application Deadline:  November 1, rolling admission

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Photocopy of New York State or other state teaching certificate
• A biographical statement of 500 to 1,000 words describing your reasons for pursuing the specific graduate program to which you are applying and your future professional goals
• Writing sample in English and Language other than English (the language in which the candidate seeks the extension). Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both English and in a language other than English (the language in which they seek the extension). Proficiency in the language other than English is by a writing sample in English and the language other than English and/or through an interview with the applicant. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission

Interview with a faculty member.

Required Tests

• F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Laura Ascenzi-Moreno

2105 James Hall
E: lascenzimoreno@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3757

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

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