Doctoral Studies in Bilingual Education
Send to Printer | (Updated July 2008)Nature of the Program
The doctoral degree in bilingual education is a professional degree designed for experienced educators. The program is designed to prepare personnel to assume roles of leadership in the training of teachers to meet the educational needs of children of limited English proficiency. Such leadership roles include but are not limited to university-level teacher educator; training specialist/consultant at education service centers at the regional, state, and national levels; curriculum coordinator; and bilingual/ESL program coordinator.
Course content is cross disciplinary in nature, combines theory and application as well as the practical and the theoretical. Research findings relevant to bilingual education and the training of teachers are emphasized. In keeping with the objective of preparing students to be teacher educators or to assume similar leadership roles, materials and methods suitable for adult learners are integrated into the courses.
Back to Top »Role and Scope
Bilingual Education in this program is defined as the education of the linguistically diverse child and is not limited to those children participating in structured programs of bilingual instruction. Program graduates will acquire expertise in the field of bilingual education, including an understanding of the specific educational needs of the bilingual child.
Back to Top »Components
The doctoral program consists of seven components: Foundations, Classroom Management, Educational Linguistics, Methodology, Culture, Research, and Electives.
The program has an interdisciplinary support component from the fields of history, literature, and behavioral sciences. Candidates for the degree are expected to exhibit a basic understanding of and sensitivity to the target (Mexican-American) culture, but they are not expected to "major" in that field.
Students must demonstrate appropriate levels of proficiency* in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing a second language prior to either: (1) admission to the doctoral program or (2) admission to candidacy.
All candidates are expected to apply both experimental and descriptive research methods to projects undertaken as part of coursework, and to the dissertation (as appropriate).
* Spanish - MLA Spanish Cooperative Test; English - Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL); other languages - appropriate tests approved by the department chair. Back to Top »Credits
Sixty-three semester hours are required, including 6 hours of electives and 6 hours of dissertation.
Academic credit for relevant courses may be transferred from other accredited doctorate awarding institutions upon approval by the department chair. Texas A&M University-Kingsville may accept a maximum of 30 doctoral semester hours of the total number of hours required, excluding the dissertation, as transfer credit. Only grades of A or B may be transferred for graduate credit. Only courses that have not been counted toward an earlier degree may be considered for transfer credit. No credit earned by extension or correspondence will be allowed. The last 33 semester hours of the degree plan, including the dissertation, must be completed at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Credit for doctorate courses in our Department should only be granted following the conditions listed below:
- When the student has proof that he/she has earned a grade of "B" or higher on an equivalent doctoral course from an accredited university, official transcripts and course syllabi must be presented.
- Student must pass an exit exam at the Department of Bilingual Education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville for that particular course with a grade of "B" or higher.
- Credit requests must be made in the first long semester (Fall/Spring) of the students' attendance at the Department of Bilingual Education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
A maximum of six credit hours are allowed if requirements above are met.
Back to Top »Course Offerings
All Courses listed below are 3 Credit Hours each.
Foundation Component- EDBL 6301 Foundations of Bilingual Education I
- EDBL 6302 Foundations of Bilingual Education II
- EDBL 6311 Management Systems for Instruction
- EDBL 6312 Clinical Supervision of Instruction
- EDBL 6313 Evaluation of Instruction English
- EDBL 6321 Linguistics and Education I
- EDBL 6322 Linguistics and Education II
- EDBL 6331 Teaching English as a Second Language
- EDBL 6332 Teaching Spanish Language Skills - (Class in Spanish)
- EDBL 6333 Teaching English Reading
- EDBL 6334 Teaching Subject Matter in Spanish - (Class in Spanish)
- HIST 6311 History of the Mexican-American
- SOCI 6301 Sociology of the Mexican-American
- EDBL 6310 Literature of the Mexican-American
- EDBL 6391 Advanced Problems in Bilingual Education I
- EDBL 6393 Advanced Problems in Bilingual Education II
- EDBL 6371 Research in Bilingual Education
- EDBL 6372 Research in Design in Bilingual Education
- EDBL 6373 Techniques of Research, Publication and Grant Develop.
- EDBL 6398 Dissertation in Progress
- EDBL 6399 Dissertation
* Unless otherwise noted, courses are in English.
Back to Top »Requirements
Load
Twelve semester hours constitute a maximum full-time load during the Fall or Spring semester. Three semester hours per Summer session constitute a full-time enrollment in the doctoral program.
Residency
Residency may be established through 12 consecutive months of either part-time or full-time enrollment in the doctoral program.
Timeline
All requirements for the doctorate must be complete within seven years of the date on which the applicant was accepted into the doctoral program. If the program is not completed within the 7-year period, the student will be required to re-take courses that are over seven years old. In addition, Texas residents will be charged out-of-state tuition rates when the total number of hours taken in the doctoral program exceeds 99.
Field Experiences
All candidates are expected to participate actively in bilingual education field experiences in neighboring school districts. Field experience will be part of the course requirements where such an activity is appropriate.
Advisement
During the first 18 hours of coursework, each student receives advisement from the Chair of the Department.
Back to Top »Admission
Admission to the program is open to anyone who meets entrance requirements, regardless of ethnic background or national origin. Enrollment limitations are based exclusively on the availability of faculty and resources.
In making admission decisions, the doctoral faculty will engage in a comprehensive, systematic review of the applicant's academic proficiency and personal characteristics. Items examined in this review include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Score of 1000 on the GRE (Graduate Record Examination).
- Master's degree from an accredited university.
- Positive recommendation from graduate professors and from administrators under whom the individual has worked or studied.
- Minimum of 3.25 GPA in graduate courses.
- Record of competence and effectiveness in professional work, as evidenced by positive reviews by present and/or former supervisors.
- Performance at the 84th percentile on the MLA language exam for the non-English language, or demonstrated potential for reaching this level of performance within three years.
On occasion, the doctoral faculty may wish to hold a personal interview with the candidate. This interview will focus on the applicant's ability to express themselves clearly, on their potential to contribute to the field of Bilingual teacher education, and his or her determination to complete the program once admitted. The applicant's ability to take position and defended it with solid argumentation will be examined. Admission to the program does not guarantee successful completion of the program.
The doctoral faculty may require additional work by the applicant prior to or concurrent with enrollment in the doctoral program if it establishes that a deficiency exists in the applicant's background and training.
In order for an application to be considered complete, the following documents must be on file:
- Application for admission to the University if entering Texas A&M University-Kingsville for the first time.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended. Undergraduate transcript must show conferring of baccalaureate degree.
- Graduate transcript must show conferring of Master's degree.
- Evidence of having taken the GRE (Graduate Record Examination).
- Application for admission to the doctoral program.
- Statement certifying that applicant has read carefully the description of the doctoral program and all other information contained in the College of Graduate Studies Catalog, and is aware of its contents and intends to pursue doctoral studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
- At least three letters of reference, two of which should be from professors under whom applicant has taken graduate work.
- At the time of this application, those applicants who do not possess sufficient second language skills to cope successfully with courses taught in that language must present evidence of potential for achieving the required level of competency in the second language. The applicant must explain what specific steps he or she plans to take in order to correct any deficiencies in the second language.
Financial Aid and Fellowships
Financial Aid is available from a variety of federal, state, university, and private sources. For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at:
700 University Blvd. MSC 115
Kingsville, TX 78363
Contingent upon federal or other funding. Graduate Research Assistant positions may be available. Additional information and application forms are available at our office.
Deadlines for submission of applications are determined by the guidelines set by the Department of Bilingual Education and the funding source.
Back to Top »Rate of Progress
A doctoral student must exhibit a normal and reasonable rate of scholastic progress. If, in the opinion of the doctoral faculty and the chair, a less-than-satisfactory rate of progress is maintained, the student may be dismissed from the doctoral program, even if his or her grade record falls within guidelines.
The doctoral faculty reserves the right to require a student to withdraw from the doctoral program after completion of any semester or summer term if it is judged that the quantity or quality of work is not satisfactory.
Students have seven years from date of admission to complete the program (including dissertation). Students must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA overall, and must earn at least a B in each of the following courses: EDBL 6301, 6302, 6321, 6322. Students not meeting this requirement will be required to re-take the course in which at least a "B" was not earned.
Except in the dissertation courses, the instructor may assign a grade of "I" to denote incomplete work, if an "I Contract" form is properly filled out and a copy filed in the office of the Department Chair and the Dean of the College of Education. This grade can be changed to a letter grade only by the instructor of record if the work is satisfactorily completed within one full calendar year or less, as set forth in the "I Contract". Otherwise, a grade of "F" is automatically assigned by the Registrar. Additional time in cases of emergency may be given only by the Senior Vice President and Provost.
The Student must be registered for the dissertation in progress course EDBL 6398 at the time he or she begins to work on his or her dissertation proposal. The student will continue to register for EDBL 6398 until the semester in which the dissertation is completed.
Scholastic Probation
Doctoral students are placed on scholastic probation if, at the end of either long semester or the second summer session, the semester GPA falls below 3.0.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Simple cases of first-offense cheating or plagiarism by an individual student may be handled by the instructor after consulting the department chair. When the evidence is indisputable, the usual penalty is a grade of "F" on the particular paper or test, or for the entire course. The student should be confronted with the evidence in private and be advised of the penalty to be assessed. The evidence will be retained for at least one full year.
For more serious cases, such as those involving repeated offenses, conspiracy with other students, or the theft and sale of examination questions, a report should be made by the instructor to the Department Chair and to the Dean of the College of Education for appropriate action by the administration. Expulsion from the university is the normal penalty for such serious offenses.
Back to Top »Withdrawal and Reinstatement
Withdrawal
A student who finds it necessary to withdraw from the university during the semester must notify the Chair of the Department of Bilingual Education and the Registrar. Failure to do this results in a grade of "F" in each course for which the student is registered.
Reinstatement
A doctoral student who is dismissed for any reason may request readmission through the Dean of Graduate Studies and the doctoral faculty. The request will be reviewed by the Department Chair, the Doctoral committee, the student's Advisor, and the Graduate Dean. The student will be informed of the outcome of the review within ten (10) working days of receipt of request for re-admission.
Back to Top »Admission to Candidacy
Admission to the doctoral program does not imply admission to candidacy. A student is admitted to candidacy following:
- Successful completion of all coursework.
- Successful performance on the written and oral comprehensive exams.
- Attainment of acceptable scores on second language proficiency tests.
- Filing of necessary forms with the Dean of College of Graduate Studies.
Application for candidacy must be completed prior to completion of the dissertation.
Back to Top »Comprehensive Examinations
All students must perform successfully on both written and oral comprehensive examinations. Students must be enrolled in the semester in which the comprehensive exams are taken. Students may sign up to take these upon completion of all coursework. The written examination tests the student's ability to integrate the knowledge gained in the coursework and apply it to real and potential situations. It includes questions in the following program components: 1) Foundations; 2) Classroom Management; 3) Educational Linguistics; 4) Methodology; and 5) Culture (History and Sociology). These examinations are taken in five consecutive half days. A maximum of three hours is allowed for the completion of the exams in Foundations, Classroom Management, and Educational Linguistics. A maximum of four hours is allowed for the completion of the Methodology and Culture exams.
The oral comprehensive examination is administered after all components of the written exam have been successfully completed. The oral exam allows the doctoral faculty the opportunity to seek clarification on responses to the written exams and/or to ask follow-up questions. Faculty members may, however, ask questions on any and all areas covered in the curriculum.
Both written and oral comprehensives are administered as needed, usually once in the fall, spring, and summer. Each student is required to notify the Department of Bilingual Education of his/her intention to take the comprehensive examinations at the beginning of the semester in which the comprehensive examinations will be taken.
There is usually a two-week time period between the successful completion of the written comprehensive examination and the scheduling of the oral exam. Any component of the written examination not passed must be retaken and passed prior to the scheduling of the oral exams. Should the student fail to perform satisfactorily on the oral exam, he/she must retake this exam upon recommendation of the faculty.
The student must complete the dissertation within three years of successful completion of the comprehensives. Should the student not finish within this time period, he/she may be required to take additional courses to update his/her knowledge in areas relevant to bilingual education.
To be allowed to initiate work on a dissertation proposal, a student must first meet the following requirements:
- The student must complete all coursework prior to taking the comprehensive examinations.
- The student must pass at least five of the six comprehensive areas at the first attempt.
- The Research Methods component must be one of the areas passed at the first attempt.
- The student will take an oral examination covering the areas passed (See above).
- The student must pass any failed component prior to defending the dissertation proposal.
Dissertation
Prior to beginning the dissertation phase, the student must select and have approved, by the Department Chair, a dissertation director. The Department Chair will assign the appropriate committee members and request, from the Dean of the College of Education, a Graduate Council Representative. A dissertation must be prepared under the direction of an approved member of the doctoral faculty and must be approved by the student's dissertation committee. This committee is established at the time the student begins work on the dissertation proposal. Four members including the Chair, three members of the doctoral faculty and a representative from the faculty senate are required on the dissertation committee. Participation by persons not on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville graduate faculty must be approved in advance by the Chair, Department of Bilingual Education and by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Prior to deciding on a dissertation topic, the student is expected to discuss different options with doctoral faculty members.
The research topic selected must have clear relevance to serving the educational needs of limited-English proficient children. The topic must be approved by the Chair, Department of Bilingual Education, prior to the initiation of the research. Following such approval, the student will present and defend the proposal before the dissertation committee.
The dissertation must be successfully defended before the student's dissertation committee, the Department Chair, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and interested faculty and public. The final approval of the dissertation will come from the dissertation committee and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Committee approval or disapproval of the dissertation is generally given on the same day as the defense of the dissertation. If approved, the original and three copies of the dissertation must be filed with the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies three weeks prior to the commencement date of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. In cases where the dissertation defense is not successful, the Committee will meet with the student, inform him/her of the results, and present options available to him/her.
In writing the dissertation, the student should refer to the latest edition of the Thesis Manual: Instructions Concerning the Preparation of Graduate Research Projects, Theses, and Dissertations, a manual prepared by the College of Graduate Studies and available at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville bookstore. In addition, students are required to follow the guidelines set forth in the latest edition of the APA (American Psychological Association) Publication Manual. Copies submitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies must be on 100 percent cotton fiber paper. Of the four copies submitted by the candidate, one goes to the graduate, one is sent to Jernigan Library, a third copy is for the Department of Bilingual Education, and one copy is sent (unbound) to be copyrighted and microfilmed and is eventually returned to the graduate. Additional copies of the dissertation may be bound at a nominal fee if submitted at the time the original four copies are submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
The final dissertation must be additionally submitted on a CD along with the student's name, title of dissertation, and the name of the dissertation chair.
NOTE: Any type of research study conducted by a doctoral student which involves human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects. Please allow four to six weeks for Board approval.
Back to Top »Additional Information
The ultimate responsibility for successful completion of the doctoral program falls upon the student.
Sole responsibility for knowing the academic requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and the doctoral program rests with the doctoral student. He or she should seek answers to any questions regarding policy and procedure as soon as they arise. The College of Graduate Studies and the doctoral program disclaim responsibility for problems stemming from student failure to follow their regulations.
No waiver of expectations will be extended to a student who pleads ignorance of catalog or doctoral program policies. When changes in procedure occur, the student will be notified. In order to facilitate notification, the student must inform the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and the Department of Bilingual Education of any changes of mailing address and/or telephone number.
International Students seeking admission into the program must meet the guidelines set forth by both the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Director of International Admissions & Student Services. Admission by these two university agencies does not constitute admission into the Department of Bilingual Education. Only the Chair of the Department can allow admission into said program.
Students admitted into the program must register and attend classes on the semester they were admitted. Deferred admissions will be made based on space availability and/or resources. In addition, the Department Chair has the sole responsibility for the administration and management of the doctoral program and is responsible to the Dean of the College of Education. The doctoral faculty recommends policy and assists in setting the direction of the doctoral program through consultation with the Chair. The faculty approves curricula and program changes. All of its actions are subject to approval by the proper university authorities.
Back to Top »The provisions, regulations, requirements, program description, and philosophy contained in this document are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and the university. Such provisions, regulations, requirements, program descriptions, and philosophy are subject to change without notice at any time at the discretion of the university.