Bilingual Education
Unlock your full potential to become a transformative educator in diverse,
multicultural classrooms.
Create Inclusivity Through Language Learning
Add to your professional skill set with our bilingual education specialty. Designed for proficient Spanish and English speakers, our bilingual education program will provide you with the skills and knowledge to inspire and educate the next generation of multilingual students. Graduates earn an institutional recommendation for an NYS Bilingual Education Extension.
Points of Distinction
Advance your initial teaching certificate to a professional certificate that makes you
stand out as a bilingual educator in an ever-increasingly diverse school system. Our
program offers an in-depth exploration of the foundational principles of bilingual and second-language education.
Gain practical experience in laboratories, centers and research and evaluation projects that provide various learning opportunities, including field experiences and projects in collaboration with local schools' bilingual and second language programs.
Pursue research in developmental reading processes and instruction across K-6
literacy in both first and second languages, the integration of technology and the
relationship between language, literacy and culture while engaging with children's
literature.
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) |
|---|---|
| Certification option | Successful completion of program leads to an institutional recommendation for a NYS Bilingual Education Extension |
| Grade levels | K to 6 |
| Credits required for completion | 15 |
| Time to completion | 3 to 4 part-time semester or 2 semesters plus a summer term |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Career opportunities | Bilingual teacher |
| Application deadline | Priority Deadlines Fall: Feb. 1, then rolling until July 15 Summer: Feb. 1, then rolling until April 15 Spring: Nov. 1, then rolling until Dec. 1 |
Program Requirements
As we work to integrate curricular program changes, please email the Office of Educator Preparation (ubedprep@buffalo.edu) or contact an advisor (716-645-2461) to confirm requirements.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| LAI 592 Foundations of Bilingual Education: Theory, Policies, and Practices | 3 |
| LAI 682 Assessment Second Language Proficiency OR LAI 681 Understanding/Teaching Second Lang. Culture | 3 |
| LAI 582 Principles of Language Acquisition 1st and 2nd | 3 |
| LAI 588 Methods in Bilingual Education | 3 |
| LAI 587 Methods in ESL Through Content Areas | 3 |
Prerequisite
To be eligible for this program, applicants must demonstrate advanced proficiency in both English and Spanish, and also hold initial certification in another certification area.
Standardized Testing No Longer Required
Beginning with the spring 2022 semester, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for application to this program. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for two references
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Personal statements: Please upload as two separate documents on your application.
- Statement one: Please outline your reasons for applying to UB's teacher education program. Include a discussion of one or two pivotal experiences that have brought you to the profession of teaching, your professional objectives (both long- and short-term), and how the graduate program is aligned with your goals. (250 to 300 words)
- Statement two: In Multiplication is for White People: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children (2013), Lisa Delpit wrote: “We can educate all children if we truly want to. To do so, we must first stop attempting to quantify their capacity. We must be convinced of their inherent capability, humanity, and spiritual character ... we must learn who our children are — their lived cultures; their interests; and their intellectual, political, and historical legacies.”
Discuss how these ideas resonate with your personal or prior experiences. Then explain how they align with your personal and professional values, especially when it comes to engaging with diverse communities and student populations. (400 to 500 words)
- Applicants to the master's degree program (professional certification) must have applied for, or received, New York State initial teacher certification in the matching certification area. If application for teacher certification is in process, proof of such application must be submitted. If already certified, a copy of proof of teacher certification is required.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Dignity for All Students Act Requirement
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that all students applying for certification as of December 31, 2013 have 6 hours of coursework or training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. As mandated by NYSED six clock hours of training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention. This workshop is available through the University at Buffalo as well as other NYSED-approved providers. If you have already completed a workshop through a NYSED-approved provider, you must submit proof of completion when you apply.
Students with Disabilities Requirement
The New York State Education Department requires three semester hours of study in the area of students with disabilities for those who are entering the teacher education programs. If you have not yet fulfilled this requirement, you may take our students with disabilities course (LAI 574).
In-State Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A course-by-course transcript evaluation by a NACES member organization
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic.
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 96 for internet-based test
- IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
Bilingual Teacher
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.