DEPARTMENT OF BICULTURAL-BILINGUAL STUDIES
The Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies offers three graduate degrees: the Master of Arts Degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, the Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Culture, Literacy and Language.
Master of Arts Degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies
The Master of Arts degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies is designed to respond to a variety of societal needs through advanced multidisciplinary study in language, culture, and related disciplines. It has concentrations in Bicultural-Bilingual Education and Bicultural Studies.
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. Information on the GRE and applications for the test may be obtained from the UTSA Testing Center or from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. The institution code for The University of Texas at San Antonio is 6919 for the GRE.
Degree Requirements. Degree candidates are required to complete successfully a 36-semester-credit-hour program. Upon completion of at least 30 semester credit hours of coursework, the candidate is required to pass a written and oral comprehensive examination.
Candidates for the concentration in Bicultural-Bilingual Education must demonstrate proficiency in a second language. Candidates for the concentration in Bicultural Studies are required to give evidence of second language learning experiences acceptable to the department’s Graduate Program Committee.
Bicultural-Bilingual Education Concentration
This concentration is offered for students interested in advanced study in the design and implementation of bicultural-bilingual education programs. This interdisciplinary course of study presents systematic instruction in bilingualism, cultural dynamics, and applied linguistics. It also includes an examination of theory and research related to effective bilingual education. The Master’s degree is offered under two options: thesis and nonthesis.
Degree Requirements. Degree candidates must complete the following:
Option 1. Nonthesis Option
- Required coursework. 30 semester credit hours of coursework from six major areas as follows:
Sociocultural Studies (6 hours from the following):
BBL 5003 Foundations for Bicultural Studies BBL 5013 Multicultural Groups in the United States BBL 5023 Cultural Adaptation in Bilingual Societies BBL 5073 Psychosocial Processes in Bicultural-Bilingual Environments BBL 5123 Sociolinguistics and Education BBL 5133 Latino Biculturalism in the United States BBL 6223 Anthropology and Education in Multicultural Contexts
Bilingual Education Theory (3 hours):
BBL 5113 Theoretical Foundations of Bicultural-Bilingual Education
Linguistics and Second Language Studies (3 hours from the following):
ESL 5003 Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists ESL 5013 Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
Bilingual Teaching Methodology (6 hours from the following):
BBL 5033 Bilingual Content Instruction BBL 5063 Biliteracy in Bilingual Classrooms BBL 5143 Communication and Critical Pedagogy in Bilingual Classrooms BBL 5193 Multicultural Literature for Children
Research and Assessment (6 hours):
BBL 5053 Assessment in Bilingual and Second Language Studies and 3 hours from the following: BBL 6043 Bilingual Education Research BBL 6063 Research Methods in Bilingual and Second Language Studies
English as a Second Language (6 hours from the following):
ESL 5033 Second Language Reading and Writing ESL 5053 Approaches to Second Language Instruction ESL 5063 Language and Content-Area Instruction - Electives (6 hours):
6 semester credit hours of graduate elective coursework in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, English as a Second Language, or in approved related areas.
Option II. Thesis Option
- Required coursework. 30 semester credit hours of coursework from six major areas as follows:
Sociocultural Studies (6 hours from the following):
3 hours from the following:
BBL 5003 Foundations for Bicultural Studies BBL 5013 Multicultural Groups in the United States BBL 5023 Cultural Adaptation in Bilingual Societies BBL 5073 Psychosocial Processes in Bicultural-Bilingual Environments and 3 hours from the following: BBL 5123 Sociolinguistics and Education BBL 5133 Latino Biculturalism in the United States BBL 6223 Anthropology and Education in Multicultural Contexts
Bilingual Education Theory (3 hours):
BBL 5113 Theoretical Foundations of Bicultural-Bilingual Education
Linguistics and Second Language Studies (6 hours from the following):
ESL 5003 Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists ESL 5013 Foundations of Second Language Acquisition ESL 5083 Pedagogical Grammar
Bilingual Teaching Methodology (6 hours from the following):
BBL 5033 Bilingual Content Instruction BBL 5063 Biliteracy in Bilingual Classrooms BBL 5143 Communication and Critical Pedagogy in Bilingual Classrooms BBL 5173 Sociocultural Issues and the Teaching of Reading BBL 5193 Multicultural Literature for Children
Research and Assessment (9 hours):
BBL 5053 Assessment in Bilingual and Second Language Studies and 6 hours from the following: BBL 6003 Research Design and Inquiry in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies BBL 6043 Bilingual Education Research BBL 6063 Research Methods in Bilingual and Second Language Studies BBL 6073 Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural-Bilingual Settings BBL 6093 Chicana/Latina Feminist Methodologies ESL 6013 Second Language Acquisition Research
- Master’s Thesis (6 semester credit hours of Master’s Thesis)
Bicultural Studies Concentration
This program concentration offers students the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary study of cultural diversity and sociocultural dynamics in multicultural societies. Emphasis is on the study of biculturalism in the United States. Courses are designed for students with professional, policy, and research interests in intercultural relations within the various institutional settings of society, including business, education, government, health, social services, and cultural organizations. The curriculum complements a wide range of academic backgrounds including the humanities, social sciences, public policy, and business. At least 21 semester credit hours must be courses with a BBL designation. The Master’s degree is offered under two options: thesis and nonthesis.
Degree Requirements. Degree candidates must complete the following 36 semester credit hours of coursework:
- Required coursework. 30 semester credit hours of coursework from four major areas as follows:
Sociocultural Foundations (12 hours):
BBL 5003 Foundations for Bicultural Studies 9 additional semester credit hours, selected from the following: BBL 5013 Multicultural Groups in the United States BBL 5023 Cultural Adaptation in Bilingual Societies BBL 5073 Psychosocial Processes in Bicultural-Bilingual Environments BBL 5133 Latino Biculturalism in the United States BBL 6033 Topics in Bicultural Studies (Consult the program advisor.) BBL 6223 Anthropology and Education in Multicultural Contexts
Historical Foundations (3 hours from the following):
BBL 6103 Chicana/o Historical Thought HIS 5263 History of The Spanish Borderlands HIS 5313 South Texas: Rural and Urban HIS 5323 The U.S.–Mexico Border HIS 5423 Colonial Mexico HIS 5433 Modern Mexico HIS 6173 Latina/os in the United States
Expressive Culture and Language Diversity (9 hours from the following):
AHC 5823 Topics in Mesoamerican Pre-Columbian Art AHC 5843 Topics in Latin American Colonial Art AHC 5853 Topics in Contemporary Latin American Art BBL 5043 Ethnography of Communication BBL 5093 Multicultural Art and Folklore in the United States BBL 5123 Sociolinguistics and Education BBL 5193 Multicultural Literature for Children ESL 5003 Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists SPN 5473 Latin American Civilization SPN 5483 Studies in Hispanic Culture SPN 5803 Mexican American Literature SPN 5853 Spanish of the Southwest
Research Foundations (6 hours from the following):
BBL 6003 Research Design and Inquiry in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies and one of the following: BBL 6053 Assessment in Bicultural-Bilingual Communities BBL 6073 Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural-Bilingual Settings BBL 6093 Chicana/Latina Feminist Methodologies
- Option I. 6 semester credit hours of Master’s Thesis
or
Option II. 6 semester credit hours of graduate elective coursework in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, English as a Second Language, or approved related areas.
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 presents systematic instruction in applied/educational linguistics, second language acquisition theory, and ESL/EFL program implementation.
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. Information on the GRE and applications for the test may be obtained from the UTSA Testing Center or from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. The institution code for The University of Texas at San Antonio is 6919 for the GRE.
Candidates for degree are required to give evidence of second language learning experiences acceptable to the Graduate Program Committee.
Degree Requirements. Degree candidates are required to successfully complete a 36-semester-credit-hour program. Upon completion of at least 30 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 9 hours of Bicultural-Bilingual studies courses. An internship is required: students who can document relevant teaching experience may petition to substitute an elective for the internship. The Master’s degree is offered under two options: thesis and nonthesis.
Degree candidates must complete the following 36 semester credit hours of coursework:
- Required coursework. 30 semester credit hours of coursework from four major areas as follows:
Language Theory and Language Use (9 hours):
BBL 5123 Sociolinguistics and Education ESL 5003 Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists ESL 5013 Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
Classroom Practice and Program Designs (12 hours from the following):
9 hours from the following: BBL 5053 Assessment in Bilingual and Second Language Studies ESL 6943 Internship in English as a Second Language ESL 5053 Approaches to Second Language Instruction or ESL 5063 Language and Content-Area Instruction and 3 hours from the following: ESL 5033 Second Language Reading and Writing ESL 5043 Listening and Speaking in Second Language Programs ESL 5073 Computer Assisted Language Learning ESL 5083 Pedagogical Grammar ESL 6043 Family and Adult Literacy in Language Minority Communities ESL 6053 Program and Syllabus Design ESL 6063 Advanced Second Language Literacy
Research (6 hours from the following):
BBL 6063 Research Methods in Bilingual and Second Language Studies or BBL 6073 Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural-Bilingual Settings ESL 6013 Second Language Acquisition Research
Sociocultural Studies (3 hours from the following):
BBL 5003 Foundations for Bicultural Studies BBL 5013 Multicultural Groups in the United States BBL 5023 Cultural Adaptation in Bilingual Societies BBL 5043 Ethnography of Communication BBL 6103 Chicana/o Historical Thought BBL 6223 Anthropology and Education in Multicultural Contexts
- Option I. 6 semester credit hours of Master’s Thesis
or
Option II. 6 semester credit hours of graduate elective coursework which must be approved by your advisor and 3 hours of which must carry an ESL prefix.
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 the consequences of cultural and linguistic diversity for literacy and language acquisition. 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 Chapter 2, General Academic Regulations, and Chapter 5, 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 are as follows:
- A master’s degree in an area such as the following: anthropology, applied linguistics, bicultural-bilingual studies, foreign language education, history, international business, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and teaching English as a Second Language. Masters’ degrees in other fields may be accepted, subject to the approval of the Doctoral Program Committee.
- A portfolio consisting of the following items will be evaluated by the Doctoral Program 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.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
- Advanced proficiency in a language other than English to be demonstrated by examination or approved coursework.
- For students whose master’s degree is from a non-English speaking university, submission of a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of no less than 550 (paper version).
- Three 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.
- 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 (limit of five pages).
- Academic writing: A sample of academic writing such as a paper written for a course, a master’s thesis or a scholarly publication.
Applicants are evaluated based on the above criteria.
Degree Requirements. The Doctoral degree requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours beyond the Master’s degree. The core curriculum consists of 24 semester credit hours of required courses. A minimum of 12 semester credit hours in research methods and 15 semester credit hours in doctoral research must be completed.
Program of Study
- Foundation Course (3 semester credit hours required):
BBL 7003 Proseminar in Culture, Literacy and Language
- Research Methods Courses (12 semester credit hours required):
BBL 7013 Research Design and Statistics for Culture, Literacy and Language BBL 7023 Qualitative Research Methods for Culture, Literacy and Language BBL 7033 Research in the Speech Community or BBL 7043 Research Design and Qualitative Analysis for Culture, Literacy and Language EDU 7043 Educational Research Statistics: Descriptive and Comparative (Or other approved statistical methods course.)
- Core Courses (9 semester credit hours required):
BBL 7123 Sociocultural Contexts of Literacy BBL 7133 Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition BBL 7213 Ethnological Theory
- Designated Electives (12 semester credit hours required). Students, in consultation with their academic advisor and the Graduate Advisor of Record, will select 12 semester credit hours for an emphasis in a coherent interdisciplinary area. As part of these 12 hours, students will be required to take a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of advanced Doctoral seminars.
Advanced Doctoral Seminars BBL 7113 Seminar in Cultural Studies Research BBL 7203 Seminar in Latino Biculturalism BBL 7223 Seminar in Biliteracy and Second Language Literacy BBL 7233 Seminar in Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism BBL 7243 Seminar in Language and Language Use BBL 7253 Seminar in Latino Issues in Education Other Designated Electives BBL 5043 Ethnography of Communication BBL 5123 Sociolinguistics and Education BBL 6053 Assessment in Bicultural-Bilingual Communities BBL 6073 Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural-Bilingual Settings BBL 6223 Anthropology and Education in Multicultural Contexts BBL 6233 Advanced Topics in Language Policy BBL 7083 Technology for Qualitative Research ESL 6013 Second Language Acquisition Research
- Free Electives (9 semester credit hours required). Students, in consultation with their academic advisor and the Doctoral Program Coordinator (Graduate Advisor of Record), will select additional graduate-level courses within the University in order to complete a coherent emphasis area. Selection of this coursework will be driven by two primary factors: the discipline in which a student has completed the Master’s degree and the research goals for that student.
- Doctoral Research (15 semester credit hours minimum):
BBL 7303 Directed Doctoral Research (3 hours minimum) BBL 7313 Doctoral Dissertation (12 hours minimum)
The entire program of study must be approved by the student’s dissertation advisor, dissertation committee, and the Doctoral Program Committee and must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School through the Dean of the College for final approval.
Qualifying Examination. A faculty committee nominated by the Doctoral Program Committee conducts the construction, administration, and evaluation of both parts of the examination. The written portion of the examination covers the areas completed in all core and emphasis 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. Both parts of the examination are given to a doctoral student before admission to candidacy. 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.
Advancement to Candidacy. Advancement to candidacy will require a student to complete all University and program requirements. In addition, the student must pass written and oral qualifying examinations, select an original and acceptable research topic, select a supervising professor and dissertation committee, submit appropriate human subject research forms, and complete a dissertation proposal approved by the dissertation committee.
Dissertation and Final Oral Examination. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research by completing and defending an original dissertation. The dissertation may employ quantitative or qualitative research methods as applicable to the selected emphasis for the degree. The Doctoral dissertation must make a substantial contribution to a field within culture, literacy and language. The research topic will be determined by the student in consultation with his or her supervising professor. A Dissertation Committee selected by the student and supervising professor and approved by the Graduate School will guide and critique the candidate’s research. The Dissertation Committee must unanimously approve the completed dissertation. The dissertation shall then be defended publicly before the student’s committee and interested members of the University community. 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.
