Major (08015) Academic Plan Code (331963MAS)
The Dual Language and English Learner Education Master of Arts degree program (DLE MA) provides education professionals with skills to transform current school programs and practices from a social equity and social justice perspective. It is a variable unit program (30-36 units) focused on multilingual learners in a diverse society. Students share a common core of six courses (18 units) and take four additional elective courses (12 units). This constitutes the base of 30 units. Students also have an experience requirement, via DLE 798 Special Study, where they apply what they are learning in the U.S. educational context (an additional 0-6 units).
The DLE MA includes an online option, the specialization in critical literacy and social justice. The critical literacy and social justice specialization is for individuals interested in applying the concepts of critical theory to their work in curriculum change, school reform, or student, parent and community advocacy. Students who choose this option take their 12 elective units within the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education. Most students choose this specialization, which includes the opportunity to earn a professional development certificate in dual language for academic literacy or English language development for academic literacy at the same time. Courses are held online with synchronous meetings via Zoom and additional material on our online platform, Canvas.
Students who do not enter the specialization stay in the main DLE MA. These are usually those who are interested in the principles of the DLE program and in further development of specific subject competencies in other discipline areas (i.e., Reading, Educational Leadership, Spanish, Math, Linguistics, etc.). With adviser approval, students who stay in the main DLE MA program select their own series of elective courses (12 units total) from graduate level courses in any applicable department. This allows students to combine a passion for a specific content area with a focus on the needs of emergent bi/multilingual students. The main DLE MA is a hybrid program and may include both online and on-campus courses.
How to Apply
Applicants must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration. Dual Language and English Learner Education does not require the GRE or GMAT. However, applicants must satisfy program admission requirements as described in the Program Application.
In addition to the Cal State application, submit the supplementary program application and attach (or request) the following:
- One to two letters of recommendation.
- A C.V., resume or work history form that includes experience with bilingual or multicultural learners.
- Either a statement of purpose that includes your background or experiences working with diverse populations and your goals as a graduate student and education professional or a two-page academic writing sample.
For more information: Contact the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education at dle@sdsu.edu or 619-594-5155. See our web page at http://go.sdsu.edu/education/dle/.
Requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, the student must satisfy the basic requirements for the master’s degree described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees as well as the requirements specified for the Master of Arts in dual language and English learner education (described below). Students in the critical literacy and social justice specialization must also meet specific elective requirements described in that section. There are two plan options
Plan A (can be requested via petition to the DLE program coordinator)
Which requires students to write a thesis and complete
or
Plan B (standard plan)
Which requires students to pass a comprehensive examination and complete
Selection of Plan A or Plan B
In general, applicants will be programmed for Plan B, the seminar plan. Plan A is designed for students who have a particular research problem they wish to investigate in detail. Once the student is half way through the program, coordinator approval for transfer to Plan A may be requested. If approved, the student must secure an adviser and establish a thesis plan, then request graduate studies permission to transfer to Plan A. Requests for transfer to Plan A must be prepared as an official change in program for the master’s degree, countersigned by the faculty adviser, and submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Education.
Plan B provides students the opportunity to (a) have experiences which emphasize research and writing, (b) participate actively in the projects of the other members of the seminar, and (c) subject their own work to critical evaluation by the other seminar members. Both plans require the ability to formulate and define research or evaluation problems, to assemble data pertinent to the problem, to draw conclusions, and to present the study in acceptable written form. It is expected that the two seminars will be at least as demanding as the thesis with respect to the difficulty and quantity of work required.
Experience Requirement: Special Study in the US. Educational Context
Students take an additional 0-6 units (via DLE 798 , Special Study) to apply what they are learning in the U.S. educational context. Contact the DLE MA adviser or the DLE Department at dle@sdsu.edu for Special Study contracts and details. (If you are currently working/volunteering in education, or have extensive experience in the U.S. educational context, contact the graduate adviser for a review of your professional experience and/or placement to determine the possibility of waiving some or all of this requirement.)
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