At a Glance: Bilingual Special Educator Program (BiSped)

A special education licensure program for bilingual educators

Are you a bilingual educator or assistant concerned with meeting the special education needs of multicultural children? The BiSped program was designed especially for you. There is a critical shortage of specialists who work with bilingual students with and without special needs. If you are a currently employed bilingual assistant, liaison or teacher and hold a bachelor's degree, this program provides a path for you to a special education license. In partnership with your school district, this unique program offers a tuition stipend, individual advising and specialized courses.

According to US News and World Report, special education is one of the 50 best careers of 2010. Job growth is expected to be in double digits for many years to come.

Go to full program website

Program benefits

As a participant of this program, you will:

• Attend courses during late afternoons to accommodate your work schedule
• Learn key strategies to assist culturally and linguistically diverse students with and without special needs
• Have a unique skill set in demand with school districts

Upon completion, you will:

• Be highly qualified in special education and have the competencies to work with all students
• Become an expert on the latest trends in working with special needs populations
• Earn an ESL endorsement

Scholarships

Program provides a $12,000 tuition stipend, available through a federal grant from the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA).

Who is this for?

This program is intended for bilingual individuals who want to be special educators in schools. Note: must be employed by one of our partner districts.

Program format

The is a special education licensure program that can will prepare you for working with English language learners

• Campus-based two-year part-time program
• Classes held late afternoons during the school year and days during summer
• 45 required credits (12-credits core classes)
• Starts summer term (end of June)

Get started

Getting started in the BiSped Program takes a few simple steps. You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 2.75. There are four prerequisites which must be completed within seven years of beginning the program:

• PSY 311 Human Growth and Development (4 credits)
• MTH 211, 212, 213 Foundations of Elementary Math I, II, III (12 credits). All three must be taken.
• ED 420/520 Introduction to Education (4 credits)
• SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners (3 credits)

Contact

Lynda Pullen
BiSped Adviser
lpullen@pdx.edu
503-725-4619
1-800-547-8887 ext 54619
Request more information

Julie Esparza-Brown
BiSped Director
jebrown@pdx.edu
503-725-4696
1-800-547-8887 ext 54696

Admission deadline: Feb 1 or until filled
On campus

Related programs

• Added Elementary Authorization
• Autism Certificate of Completion
  
• Early Intervention Special Education
• Special Education: Elementary or Secondary
  
• Inclusive Elementary Educators License and Master's Degree
  
• Secondary Dual Educator Program (SDEP) License, Endorsement, and Master's
  
• Special Educator Professional Development Opportunities
• Asperger's Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Certificate of Completion
• Visually Impaired Learner Initial License

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