Frequently Asked Questions

Bilingual/Bicultural Education Program at
Teachers College, Columbia University
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Bilingual/Bicultural Education Program? Is it the right program for me?

The Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education focuses on the study of multilingualism in-education while privileging the education of minority language within the United States and the world.  We acknowledge other aspects of the phenomenon of multilingualism in-education, such as the spread of world languages (English, Chinese, French, Spanish, and Arab), but that is not our emphasis.  We emphasize the use of more than one language in the instruction of bilingual learners within public schools and our location, one the most multilingual, multicultural cities of world, permits the student to explore a variety of school settings.  We also privilege enrichment programs that bring together language minority and majority students in bilingual settings.

This program IS for you, if you want to:

 
• become a bilingual teacher working in a public school in NYS that deal with minority language backgrounds (elementary school children).
 
• work in a bilingual setting such as in a dual language education program, a transitional bilingual education and/or heritage or second language education program.  (See explanation of these programs in Question #2)

This is NOT the program for you if you:

 
• are aiming at teaching adults.  We encourage you to continue to search in our catalogue and to read below how you can combine other programs with the Advanced Certificate in Bilingual/Bicultural Education.

2. In the previous question you mentioned the types of programs that the Program works with, can you explain them?

 
• Dual Language Education school programs are those that allocate the language of instruction in an either 90/10 or 50/50 model.  The 90/10 model uses 90% language other than the dominant language (within the United States it is a language other than English) and 10% in the dominant language (within the U.S., in English) for the first few years and then move to a 50/50 allocation of languages, The 50/50 model is one that allocates language equally from early elementary through higher grades.  The aim is to develop bilingualism among language minority and majority participants.
 
• Transitional Bilingual Education Programs use the child’s native language in order to transition students into the mainstream language (in the U.S., English).  The native language is used as a medium of instruction to support the second language learning until the student can to transition into an all-mainstream language classroom situation.  The aim is not to develop bilingualism.
 
• Heritage language program is a program, usually in after-school setting or Saturday school setting, aims to teach a family language as a way to strengthen cultural identity among minority language speaker. Examples: Korean family wants their children to learn Korean.  The aim is bilingualism.
 
• Second language enrichment programs are programs that aim to teach a minority language to language majority student.  It teaches the language and a course in the language.  The aim is bilingualism.

There are other programs that promote multilingualism, such as language awareness programs that do not aim to develop bilingualism per se but aim to develop awareness of many languages with which our students often work.

3. Why ought I consider this program over TESOL?  What is the difference between BBE and the Teaching of Second languages?

Much depends on your career goals.  TESOL is about teaching English using English as a medium of instruction (http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/tesol/), whereas BBE develops understanding and working knowledge for education in more than one language and privileges programs that aim to preserve, develop, and promote minority languages whether this is a 1st or 2nd language for minority or majority student groups.  Overall, it is designed to make people bilingual. In the BBE program you can also pursue course of studies that emphasize policy or research in multilingualism in education with an emphasis on minority languages.

4.    Where can the BBE program graduates most likely expect to work?

Again, much depends on your choice of strands within the program.

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident and:

 
• have chosen the teaching strand and, and pass all the necessary NY State requirements, such as placements and exams, for bilingual teachers, you can work in bilingual schools in NY or in any other state with which NYS has a reciprocity agreement
 
• have not chosen to pursue a teaching strand that leads to NY State certification or do not take exams nor the certified programs, you can use your TC degree to work in an independent (private) school.  You can also work as a bilingual evaluator or as a bilingual administrator.

If you have chosen the teaching strand and are an international student on a student visa:

 
• it is be very unlikely that you can work in the US (for details, go to the OIS website, Teacher Certification office, and Immigration websites).  You may want to consult with your country to see what the requirement for certification may be and inform your advisor of your findings when you develop the course of study you will pursue.  You might also consult bilingual requirements for other employment opportunities within your country and raise questions about these possibilities in the admissions process.

5. I'm interested in studying Bilingual/Bicultural Education at Teachers College. What are my choices?

The Program in BBE is flexible, but the teaching strand has many restrictions.  We encourage each student to plan an appropriate course of study, as much will depend on the students’ prior experiences and in their future career goals.  Within, we will discuss the non-teaching strand first and this will be followed by the different teaching options.  Read each section carefully.

 
• M.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies:

If you want to study bilingual/bicultural education but are not interested in teacher certification, we have an M.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies program that gives you flexibility to pursue a policy, research or teaching strand. The program is fully registered in the New York State Education Department. It will be useful if you're interested in policy study, research, or if you're an international student, who is not interested in classroom teaching.  The teaching strand within this program does not lead to NY State certification.  For further information, continue to Question s18-20.

 
• M.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Education leading toward NY State teacher certification

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, there are three options that lead to a Masters of Arts that distinguish between your prior experience and your career goals:

 
• If you do not have any teacher certification and you want to teach in elementary school, you follow the M.A. Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Childhood Education (Dual). This program aims to prepare educators to work in bilingual settings that privilege the education of language minority students and meets the course of study leading to NY State certification in Childhood Education (1-6 grades) with a Bilingual Education extension. It is possible to extend the dual certification so that it includes a Middle Childhood Education certification (7-9 grades) to this degree.  Please discuss this possibility with your advisor, if you’re interested.  Within this program there are two streams.

  a. is for students without prior experience in education and is 40 points.  

 

 

b. is for students who have student taught, have taught full-time for a minimum of one year or are presently teaching and is 33 points.

 
• If you do not have any teacher certification, but you're part of Peace Corps and want to teach in elementary school, you follow the M.A. Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Childhood Education (Transitional B). Only students approved by Peace Corps are eligible for this degree. It requires a special intensive 200-hour pre-component in the summer and mentoring throughout the year. This program can also lead to NY State dual certification in Childhood Education (1-6 grades) with a Bilingual Education extension. It is also possible to take courses that will lead to a Middle Childhood Education certification (7-9 grades) to this course of study.  It is 33 points.
     
   
 
• If you have teacher certification in any area, you follow the M.A. Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education (Second Initial). This program leads to NY State professional certification in the area in which you hold certification and, in addition, gives you Bilingual certification. It is also possible to add a Middle Childhood Education certification (7-9 grades) if your teaching certificate is in elementary or secondary education. It is 33 points.
     
   
 
• Advanced Certificate in Bilingual/Bicultural Education leading to certification

If you are pursuing New York State teacher certification in another area or you already hold New York State teacher certification and would like to obtain a Bilingual Extension Certification, we have offer a course of study that meets the NY State requirements that is 15 points.  If you have a Bachelors' degree and are currently teaching but not interested in an MA, you can take courses that will make you eligible for a NY State bilingual extension.

Specialization in Bilingual Education

It is also possible to obtain Bilingual/Bicultural Studies specialization/emphasis with any degree offered at Teachers College. The emphasis for M.A. students is 12 points. If you're interested in obtaining teacher certification extension in bilingual education, then you must take the 15 credits of the advanced certificate in bilingual education.

6.  I notice that the M.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies does not lead to teacher certification? Why would I select it? What kind of work would I be able to get?

If you're interested in bilingual education policy or research, or if you're an international student interested in teaching, this is the program for you.  This degree aims to prepare you for further study in research and policy multilingualism in-education.  Students will be able to take courses in the foundations of bilingual/bicultural education (NOTE:  add substance here). It requires 33 credits and gives you a lot of flexibility.  If you want to understand bilingualism as an educational issue beyond school settings, this is the program for you.

7. What does initial New York State certification mean? Is this the same as a certificate?

New York State gives initial and professional teacher certification.  This is a State control mechanism that indicates that the individual has met all the requirements it deems appropriate for work as a teacher in the public schools of the State.  After you graduate you will get either initial certification.  If you already hold the initial certificate, but have not taught for two years, you may apply for an extension.  After teaching for two years, those with initial certification will be eligible to apply for professional certification.
 
A certificate means that you have attended a course, a set of courses, or a conference.  It is acknowledgement of attendance and completion but does not lead to NY State Certification.

8. What else do I need in order to get New York State teacher certification? What are the exams that I need to take to get NYS certification?

When you complete our M.A. programs leading to New York State teacher certification you will have met all the academic requirements. The other State requirements include:

 
• passing the New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE). The NYSTCE has three parts: the Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) and the Content Specialty Test (CST). To obtain initial teacher certification, you must have graduated from our programs and passed the LAST, the ATS-W and the CST. (See Questions 9 & 10)
 
• passing the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) for the bilingual extension,
 
• obtaining a certificate of completion of a Child Abuse Seminar and the Violence Prevention Seminar (See Question 12), and
 
• filling out the application for certification (Question 11)

9. When are where do I find out about the exams and when can I take them?

The NYSTCE are given four times a year. We recommend that you take the LAST as soon as you enter, and the ATS-W, CST and the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) during the second year. For more information, visit the Office of Teacher Education and School-based Support Services in 400 Russell Hall or visit their web site at www.tc.edu/ote. 

10. I understand that I have to take Health Education to be certified in NYS, but I do not know how to go about it.  Can you tell me how to meet this requirement?

It is possible to take the Child Abuse Seminar and the Violence Prevention Seminar online. Visit the Office of Teacher Education and School-based Support Services located in 400 Russell Hall, call them at (212) 678 3502, or e-mail them at ote@tc.edu for more information.

11. How do I apply for the initial, professional or internship certification?

 
• For Initial or Professional certification: The semester in which you are planning to graduate, please download the Institutional Recommendation Data Form from the website of the Office of Teacher Education, www.tc.edu/ote from the Certification and Licensure menu. The Form has two parts. Please also look at the link to New York State Education Department (www.nysed.gov). You can open an account, apply online, and pay for the application. The second part of the Form has to be returned to the Office of Teachers Education with 1) an official undergraduate transcript in a sealed envelope, and 2) proof of the Child Abuse and Violence Prevention workshop or course.
 
• For Internship Certification: You must have completed at least half of your coursework and student teaching. You must also have a letter of appointment from a principal. With that information, you should visit the Office of Teacher Education that would then facilitate the process.

12.  I notice there are two streams in the M.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Childhood Education. Which stream will I be placed in?

If you:

 
• do not have teacher certification, have never student taught, or are not presently teaching, you will follow the 40 credit Stream A. Stream A requires a full year of student teaching.
 
• are presently teaching (even if not certified), have taught full-time for a minimum of one year or have student taught as an undergraduate, you will follow the 33 credit Stream B. Stream B requires a Practicum/Student Teaching for one semester.

The course of study for both streams are planned to include other state and college requirements.  Remember, the course of study is only one of the requirements for the NY State Certification.  In addition, you will need to apply to the NY State for certification.

13. I notice that the M.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Childhood Education leads to Initial certification, but also gives the option of an Internship certificate. What does that mean?

An Internship New York State Education certificate can be granted to anyone who has finished over 50% of the credits in a program leading to initial certification and has student taught, if you have a formal teaching offer, and if you're recommended by the faculty of the Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education.

This Internship Certificate will allow you to teach in New York State for a year. We only recommend students who are following Stream B of Initial Certification or the Second Initial Certification program for Internship Certificates. We do not recommend students following Stream A for an Internship Certificate. Stream A should follow the complete program and do a full-year of student teaching. If you’re in Stream A and want to be considered for an Internship Certificate, you should discuss this with your advisor as soon as you register for the program. Again, we do not recommend that Stream A students apply for an Internship Certificate.

14. I notice that it is possible to get a middle childhood extension. What does that mean and how many extra credits are required? Confirm with Faride Suarez in the Teacher Certification Office.

You need to have courses that addresses the adolescent development and middle childhood pedagogy.  If you already have the adolescent development course, it would be an extra 3 credits.  However, you also need to meet an intensive fieldwork in middle childhood of 50 hours?

15. Is there any other fieldwork required?

Yes, the State does require fieldwork experience in schools and we have integrated them as part of the coursework. Students who are teaching could do much of the required fieldwork at their place of work. Students pursuing bilingual education extension certification must have completed and logged a total of 50 hours of fieldwork.

You are responsible for getting your logs signed by a teacher or supervisor in your school, and the instructor of your course of study. Logs must be filed in the Office of the Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education at least 2 weeks prior to the end of semester.  This requirement is only for students who are pursuing NY State certification.

16.  I notice that for the teacher certification programs, there's a prerequisite of Developmental Psychology. Do I have to take it prior to the other courses?

New York State regulations for teacher certification require that you have a course in Developmental Psychology. If you have taken such a course as an undergraduate, we will accept it as a substitute. Otherwise, you must take that course at TC or in another institution prior to graduation. It is also possible to take a CLEP exam to fulfill this requirement.

17.  I understand that there are some options on literacy courses. How many credits of literacy do I need if I am pursuing a program that leads to certification and what are the prerequisites for the Bilingual Literacy course?

You need to meet 6 credits in reading/literacy for NY State certification. You usually take 3 credits in literacy in another department, and 3 credits in biliteracy in our program.

18. What happens if I already have some of these requirements from another university?

With an advisor's approval they can be waived or substituted, but the same number of credits must be replaced with other classes at Teachers College.

19. Do I have any choice in where I do my student teaching or am I just placed?

There’s little choice in placements, although we will consider requests.

Students in Stream A of the M.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Childhood leading to Initial certification will do two semesters of student teaching. During the first semester, the Inclusive Childhood Education Program of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching (C&T) will place you.  Please respond to their correspondence, as this is part of your course of study.  All students in the Initial certification programs will also student teach in a bilingual classroom where you will use a Language Other than English for instruction.

The State requires that one placement is in an upper grade and the other in a lower grade.  Thus, we ask you to communicate with the Office of Bilingual/Bicultural Education immediately upon being placed by C&T so that the placement in BBE can be planned for you in the appropriate grade level.

20. Do I get paid for student teaching?

No, it is just like a class. During each placement you will have a seminar to go along with your classroom experience. You must be available between 3 and 4 days (depending on the placement) from 8a.m. until 3p.m.

21. If I am certified in another state, do I have to redo initial certification for NY State certification or can I just go into the second initial certification program?

New York State has reciprocity with a number of states. Check the New York State Education Department's website at www.nysed.gov. If you’re certified in a state with which NYS has reciprocity, then you can go into the second initial certification program.

22.  Am I restricted to the prescribed courses?

The programs leading to New York State certification give very little room for electives (Questions 6-17). There are some possibilities for substitutions, but you have to be careful and consult with your advisor.

For students in the non-certificate program that are pursuing a course of study focused on research or policy, there are three required core foundation courses and the bilingual inquiry course.   The other twenty-one credits are divided in the following:

 
• 12 credits need to be in research or policy
 
• 9 credits are electives (make sure you meet the out of department requirements)

23. What does the out of department course mean?

For students who are pursuing a M.A. leading to NY State Certification, this requirement has already been included in your course of study.  If you substitute courses, especially those outside BBE, please make sure you inquire about the out of department courses.

For students in the Bilingual/Bicultural Studies and are following the research or policy strands, you must include 3 different courses of a minimum of 2 credits each and must be taken out of department but within TC.  Department courses outside the program count toward the out of department courses.

24.  What courses count for the policy or research strand with the Bilingual/Bicultural Studies?

Much depends on your past studies and experiences and your career goals.  Consult with your advisor.  The following is a guide for what you might take:

25. Do I have to follow the courses in the order that they are described?

If you are in a strand leading to NY State Certification, you do not have much flexibility.  It is important to follow the sequence, as some courses have prerequisites and they are designed to build a theoretical perspective and meet all the State academic requirements before you go in the classroom.

Further, few classes are offered both semesters and you have to make sure you plan according to the course of study and the time you will be on campus. The required BBE courses are only offered in the fall and the spring. You need to look for non-BBE courses if you want to lesson your load in the fall and spring.  Consult with your advisor.

26. Can I take more courses to finish earlier?

We recommend that you follow courses in the sequence given. However, you to take more credits than recommended. Check with your advisor.  In general, students following any of the three programs leading to NY State certification should plan to spend two years with us.

27. If I want to complete the coursework in a year, is that possible?

Most students find it too difficult to complete the coursework in one year and we do not recommend it.  Under extraordinary circumstances and with a lot of work, you can, however, pursue the Bilingual/Bicultural Studies in a year.  Consult with your advisor.

28. I need to work. Can I work and take classes at the same time?

Yes, most courses are offered after 3 pm.

 
• If you're following the second initial stream or if you're pursuing the transitional-B certification, chances are you will be teaching as you do your coursework. It is possible for these students to do their required student teaching within their classroom or school, as long as it is a bilingual education classroom.
 
• If you're pursuing your Initial certification, you will be required to student teach or do a practicum during your coursework (one whole year for Stream A, one semester for Stream B). During the time in which you do your student teaching or practicum, you will be required to be in schools 3 ½ days during the week. This makes it difficult to work full-time.

29. How hard is it to change from full time to part time?

You can design your course of study so that you can go to school full time or part time. Plan carefully and check with your advisor.

30. What exactly is Bilingual Inquiry?

Bilingual Inquiry is a course that is designed to allow you to reflect on the understandings you have gained through your coursework, your fieldwork, and your classroom practice in an integrated way. The Bilingual Inquiry develops meets over the course of two semesters, Generally, the course meets once in the Spring, the students do part of the work in the summer; and meets for 14 sessions in the fall.

31. How is Bilingual Inquiry related to the Integrative Project?

The Bilingual Inquiry course and the Integrative Project are distinct requirements that must be completed to graduate. The Bilingual Inquiry prepares you to do research in relation to practice and interests.  The Integrative project consists of an oral presentation of your research findings (which may be the research completed in the Bilingual Inquiry course) to an audience of students and faculty. The Bilingual Inquiry instructor, however, coordinates the Integrative Project and will give you the guidelines for completing this requirement.

32. Is there any funding for classes? How else can I receive financial support?

For financial aid questions, please refer to the website of the TC Office of Financial Aid (include a link). The Program in BBE makes recommendations for financial assistance by mid-Spring for the following year.  It recommends financial aid based on the following criteria:

 
1. New are privileged over current students
 
2. Students close to graduating are privileged over continuing students
 
3. Distinction between minority, international, and general student financial aid program are made.  U.S, minorities are privileged

The Office of Student Aid makes final decisions.

33.  Does the BBE program offer doctorate level degrees?

No, it does not. It only offers a master’s level degree. However, the program in Comparative and International Education within the Department of International and Transcultural Studies, offers doctorates with concentration in bilingualism and bilingual education policy.