Master of Arts - Academic Track
This Master of Arts in Bilingual/Bicultural Education is for you if you are interested in the role of bilingualism and biculturalism in or outside of schools, but who are not interested in teacher certification, and if you fit into any of the following categories:
- I am not interested in teacher certification.
- I am an international student who will go back to my country, and my country does not accept US certification.
- I am interested in policy aspects of bilingual education.
- I am interested in doing research on bilingual education.
- I am interested in teaching in bilingual settings other than schools.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 33
- Entry Terms: Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fall | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 | N/A |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| Fluency in English and a Language Other than English (LOTE) |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Additional Notes
Major Codes - Be sure to put the correct one on your application.
The major code for Master of Arts - Academic Track is MA-BILG.
Fluency in English and a Language Other than English (LOTE) are required for the Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education, as well as for the courses of study leading to NY State certification in Bilingual Education.
Students whose first language is English must provide proof of proficiency in a LOTE. During the admissions process, some students may be selected for further language testing by the Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education. This testing is free to applicants, and is meant to verify written and oral language skills. Students must also submit a supplemental essay in their LOTE.
International students must submit TOEFL scores UNLESS they have received an Undergraduate degree (not Masters or Doctoral) from a school at which English is the primary language of instruction. The minimum TOEFL exam score required by Teachers College is 100 on the internet-based exam (IBT). Applicants may obtain further information on TOEFL at www.toefl.org or from their local overseas educational advising center. IELTS scores may be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL. The minimum IELTS overall band score is 7.0. Score reports must be officially submitted by the testing center. Current and former TC students do not need to submit new scores unless requested by the program to do so.
For information on the interpretation of TOEFL scores, please go to the ETS website.
For information on the interpretation of IELTS scores, please go to the IELTS website.
Students seeking New York State Teacher Certification must also satisfy the Liberal Arts & Sciences Certification Requirements - this consists of undergraduate coursework in four basic content areas. Your undergraduate transcript will be evaluated during the admissions process, and you will be notified if you are deficient in one or more areas. For more information, see the Liberal Arts & Sciences Requirement page under Resources on the BBE website.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
All courses of study require three core foundational courses and a bilingual inquiry course. M.A. programs require an integrative project. Students are strongly urged to consult with an academic advisor on all degree requirements.
Foundation and Inquiry Courses:
A&HB 4021 Foundations of Bilingual/Bicultural Education (3)
A&HB 4024 Linguistic Foundations of Bilingual/Bicultural Education (3)
A&HB 4075 Cross-cultural Communication and Classroom Ecology (3)
A&HB 4150 Teacher/Educational Inquiry: Bilingual/Bicultural Education (1-3)
MA in Bilingual/Bicultural Education (Academic track, not leading to certification)
In addition to the four Foundational courses, students in the Academic track also need an additional course within the BBE program during their first semester, which can be selected from the following courses:
A&HB 4121 Bilingual/Bicultural Curriculum Design in Elementary and Middle Schools
A&HB 5024 Bilingual/Multilingual Education: International Perspectives
A&HB 5020 Curriculum & Instruction for Bilingual Students with & without Disabilities
Each student will choose courses with advisor assistance. The following shows a sample of recommended courses for potential concentrations. For other courses not listed here, consult with your academic advisor.
Area of Focus on Research for Academic Track Students - Choose among the following courses:
A&HB 4140 Latina Women Narratives
A&HL 4104 Discourse Analysis
EDPS 5020 Methods of Social Research
EDPS 5022 Sociological Analysis of Educational Systems
HBSK 5085 Observing and assessing preschool children
HUDM 4050 Introduction to Measurement
ITSF 5000 Methods of Inquiry: Ethnography & Participant Observation
ITSF 5016 Ethnography of Education
ITSF 5519 Research in Language and Literacy
Area of Focus on Policy for Academic Track Students - Choose among the following courses:
A&HB 4199 Topics in Bilingualism and Bilingual/Bicultural Education
A&HB 5024 Bilingual/Multilingual Education: International Perspectives
C&T 4010 Immigration & Curriculum
EDPS 4000 Education and Public Policy
EDPP 5042 Urban Politics in Education
EDPP 5045 Race, Ethnicity and U.S. Educational Policy
ITSF 4010 Cultural & Social Bases-Education
ITSF 4024 Dynamics of Family Interactions
ITSF 4025 Languages, Society, and Schools
ITSF 4060 Latinos in Urban School
ITSF 4098 Educational Development Policies in China
ITSF 4198 Language and Educational Rights
ITSF 5023 The Family as Educator
ITSF 5500 Education Across the Americas
A&HF 4090 Philosophies of Education
Area of Focus on Teaching for Academic Track students:
Students interested in teaching but not in the NYS teaching certification, and who aspire to be placed in a teaching context for the Practicum, should take 3 BBE methods courses. They are encouraged to follow the Stream A courses as closely as possible and choose from the following courses:
A&HB 4020 Foundations of Bilingual Special Education (3)
A&HB 4028 Teaching Literacy in Bilingual Settings (3)
A&HB 4029 Latino Children’s Literature and Literacies
A&HB 4121 Bilingual/Bicultural Curriculum Design in Elementary and Middle schools (3)
A&HB 4133 Curriculum and Methods for Bilingual Teachers: Science (2-3)
A&HB 4134 Curriculum and Methods for Bilingual Teachers: Mathematics (2-3)
A&HE 5518 Teaching English Diverse Socio Cultural Contexts
A&HF 4091 The Call to Teach
A&HH 4076 History or Urban Education
A&HL 4076 TESOL Methodologies for PK-6 (3)
A&HW 5030 Diversity & Social Studies Curriculum
ORLD 4051 How Adults Learn