With nearly half of California’s student population speaking languages other than English in their homes, Fresno State is tackling the need for more educators through a new master of arts degree in multilingual multicultural education.

Fresno State is one of the few universities in the West offering this graduate option, said Dr. Teresa M. Huerta, program coordinator in the Department of Literacy, Early Bilingual and Special Education of the Kremen School of Education and Human Development.

The California Department of Education reports that 21.6 percent of California’s K-12 student population are English learners and 42.6 percent of the student population speaks languages other than English in their homes.

“The need for teachers, staff and leaders in the education of English learners has become vital in today’s society,” Huerta said.

The program began in the spring 2014 semester with eight students and is now accepting students for the fall. The deadline to apply is July 1.

An orientation meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 9 in the Kremen Education building, Room 316 (Shaw and Maple avenues). Candidates currently holding a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply.

Designed to provide professional preparation in addressing linguistically and culturally diverse learners in educational settings, the program prepares educators who are knowledgeable and effective in second-language learning, culture, educational theory and social justice.

Goals of the program include:

  • Provide educators with an advanced level of inquiry, research and professional preparation with regards to linguistically and culturally diverse learners.
  • Prepare instructional leaders who are cognizant of the challenging issues and rights faced by linguistically and culturally diverse learners in pre-K-16 educational settings, considering the moral, ethical and social justice perspectives.
  • Give educators an understanding of the role of leadership within the context of global education systems as viewed and experienced by linguistically and culturally diverse communities. 

View requirements.

For more information, contact Huerta at 559.278.0364 or thuerta@csufresno.edu.

(Copy by Akyia Westley, University Communications news assistant.)

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