Contact Us

Academic Programs

Dual Language / Bilingual Childhood General Education

MSEd

  • Program Overview

    The Dual Language Bilingual Childhood General Education program prepares candidates to enrich the education of emergent bilingual children in diverse settings.

    This program is for prospective and current teachers who wish to work with children in grades 1 through 6. As a student in this program, you will have the flexibility to work in a range of settings and engage with children from diverse racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds. You will:

    • Develop a rich teaching repertoire to understand the intellectual, linguistic, and emotional needs of students in dual language/transitional bilingual education settings.
    • Construct developmentally responsive learning experiences that encourage all learners to follow their curiosities.
    • Create accessible curricula so all learners can explore literacy, literature, mathematics, science, arts, and social studies content.
    • Develop a strong social justice focus in order to advocate for and with children and families.
    • Plan for dynamic and collaborative partnerships with families and school professionals.
    • Engage in critical explorations of yourself, others, and the wider world.

    This program culminates in a Master of Science in Education and requires 45 credits.

    Three graduate students engaging in an artifact share

  • Admissions Requirements

    In addition to the main admissions criteria, there are additional requirements needed to apply for this program:

  • Coursework

  • Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement

    Supervised fieldwork/advisement lies at the heart of a Bank Street education. Through sustained experiences in the field, supervision from core faculty, and close collaboration with peers, our graduate students develop the ability to connect theory to practice and to reflect deeply on their own growth as educators.

    In this program, you will work in classroom settings as a head teacher or assistant (full-time), or as a student teacher (3 days each week):

    • As a student teacher you will be placed in two settings throughout the year. You will experience 2 age bands (grades 1-3 and grades 4-6) in dual language bilingual bilingual education (Spanish or Mandarin and English) classrooms.
    • As a working head or assistant teacher you will use your own classroom as your fieldwork. You will gain experience in an additional setting through summer supervised fieldwork/ advisement during a July (Summer 2) term.

    Taken concurrently with coursework, supervised fieldwork is designed to foster the integration of theory and practice. You will:

    • Be supervised by your advisor, a core graduate faculty mentor and experienced teacher.
    • Participate in a weekly conference group of 5-7 students and your advisor.
    • Reflect on a lesson with your advisor once each month.
    • Meet individually with your advisor once each month.
    • Complete projects to help you take a deeper look at the setting and students you work with.
  • Career Opportunities

    Graduates go on to:

    • Teach in dual language/transitional bilingual general education classrooms in public, charter, and independent schools.
    • Teach in inclusive and self-contained special education classrooms as the bilingual general education teacher.
  • Faculty

  • Certification

    Upon graduation, you will be eligible for New York State certification in Childhood General Education, grades 1 to 6, and the Bilingual Extension, provided you complete all other State certification requirements.

I chose Bank Street for its strong Bilingual Education program. I believe that the commitment that Bank Street professors have to their students, their practice, and to New York City schools is outstanding. Bank Street encourages students like me [who have changed careers] to bring their knowledge and expertise into their teaching practice.
Sarah Ely, GSE ’17