Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) Education Program Overview
Our CAEP-accredited online Master of Arts in Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) Education program is designed for individuals who want to educate students in a bilingual environment, create and implement instructional methods that allow non-English speakers to learn English effectively, and identify language proficiency levels in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
This affordable 36-credit online program can be completed in as little as one year and offers two concentrations for students to choose from:
- Master of Arts in Bilingual Education – Students will learn how to promote effective learning environments for English language learners and explore cultural diversity, perspectives on teaching and learning, and the background of bilingual education in the U.S. Spanish proficiency required.
- Master of Arts in ESL Education – Students will learn how to develop, implement, and manage strategies and tactics for effectively teaching students whose native language is not English.
Bilingual Certification
Coursework in the online Master of Arts in Bilingual Education can be tailored for the bilingual or ESL certification in Texas. Students who want to sit for the Bilingual or ESL Supplemental Exam in Texas must also have a valid Texas teaching certificate. However, students without a Texas teaching certificate can apply for licensure while completing coursework that fulfills licensing requirements. If you are outside of Texas and would like to be certified, check with your state agency for requirements to obtain certification in your state and to determine if the coursework in this program can be tailored to meet your state’s eligibility requirements.
Marketable Skills
The skills imparted by our online Master of Arts in Bilingual/ESL Education program are transferable to numerous careers that promote cultural sensitivity. Through our program, students gain cultural adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and organizational skills, among other competencies highly sought after by employers. Graduates become liaisons between distinct, complex cultures, thereby increasing their earning potential and career prospects.
Meet Our Esteemed Faculty
TEACH Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students who are completing coursework needed to begin a career in a high-need teaching field. UT Permian Basin participates in the TEACH Grant program.
To be eligible to receive a TEACH Grant, you must meet basic eligibility criteria for federal student aid programs, complete the FAFSA, be enrolled at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant program, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25, receive TEACH Grant counseling for each year you receive the grant, and sign a TEACH Grant agreement. For more information about the TEACH Grant and its service requirements post-graduation, please click here.
Accreditation and Awards
- Nationally accredited by the prestigious Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Ranked #9 in 2019's "Top 10 Schools for Hispanics by Major" by Hispanic Outlooks
- Ranked #5 "Most Affordable Master's in ESL Online" by GetEducated
- Ranked #11 in "Top 53 Master's in English Language Learning Programs 2022" by Intelligent
Career Options
The University of Texas Permian Basin's Master of Arts in Bilingual/ESL Education provides a solid foundation for you to excel in the education industry in many roles, including:
Prior to registering for courses, master’s degree students must make an appointment each semester with an online academic advisor. Although they may not have an advising hold, students are encouraged to reach out to an advisor each semester. This is to prevent the loss of credit hours and ensure that students are correctly progressing on their academic path.
Select EDBI 6326 or EDBI 6327. All other courses listed are required.
Educational leadership, literacy, and special education are minor options available. Please contact your advisor with questions.
3-6 SCH Required. Courses should be taken toward the end of your program. Please contact your advisor with questions.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours leading towards a bachelor’s degree
- Two letters of recommendation
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
- How specifically will the master’s in this program support your goals and interest?
- Official transcripts
Conditional Admission Requirements
If you do not meet the GPA requirements for this program, you may qualify for conditional admission with the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours leading towards a bachelor’s degree
- Two letters of recommendation
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
- How specifically will the master’s in this program support your goals and interest?
- Other evidence (at least one of the following):
- Minimum GRE score of 282 (verbal and quantitative combined)
- May also consider cultural components including, but not limited to, English as a second language, weak academic preparation that can be remediated, student motivation and desire to succeed, evidence of success in career field (e.g., teaching or service awards), and/or candidate’s diverse experiences and perspectives. (This is submitted in the form of a low GPA document explaining the reasons surrounding the lower GPA and evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study.)
- Official transcripts
Official Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and can be mailed to:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies Office
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Supporting Documents
All supporting documents related to a graduate program, such as letters of recommendation, essays, statements of interest, resumes, professional work experience, and awards should be sent to the Graduate Studies Office:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762-0001
Electronic versions of supporting documents may be emailed to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
If you have any questions regarding the admission requirements, please email gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Faculty Bios
Associate Professor
Program Coordinator, Bilingual/ESL
Department Chair, Curriculum & Instruction
College of Education
salgado_y@utpb.edu
Dr. Salgado is an associate professor for the College of Education at UT Permian Basin. She also serves as the coordinator for the bilingual/ESL program and department chair for the Curriculum & Instruction department. She received her PhD from New Mexico State University, master’s degree from UT Permian Basin, bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, and two associate’s degrees, one in childhood development from Central Arizona College and the other from Glendale Community College. Prior to her time at UT Permian Basin, Dr. Salgado served as a bilingual teacher with Ector County Independent School and worked extensively with families and children in the educational arena. Her research interests include paradigms that impact all areas of social justice, diversity, and equity and how they affect people and the social culture context they live in.
Assistant Professor
College of Education
espinosa_t@utpb.edu
Dr. Tomas Espinosa received his PhD in curriculum & instruction with emphasis in literacy and bilingual education from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. He is currently an assistant professor of bilingual/ESL education at UT Permian Basin. His research interests include bilingualism, multiculturalism, ESL, culturally responsive teaching, and technology applications in the classroom.
Assistant Professor
College of Education
davoodi_a@utpb.edu
Dr. Amin Davoodi is an assistant professor of bilingual and ESL education in the department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations at The University of Texas Permian Basin. He received his PhD in ESL, Technology and Teacher Education (curriculum and instruction) from Texas A&M University in 2021. His areas of research interest are educational equity for English language learners and home-bound students, TESOL, robot-assisted learning, and bilingual education.
Click here to visit Dr. Davoodi's Google Scholar profile for a list of his publications.
We’re pleased to offer program admission on a rolling basis.
Rolling admission refers to our process of accepting and evaluating applications as we receive them and moving any applications that miss the deadline to the next semester. However, if you want to enroll in courses for a specific semester, you will need to make note of the application deadlines found below. If you don’t complete your application and submit the required materials by the deadline, your application will be rolled over to the next semester.