Program Details | Bilingual Teacher Pathway (Elementary)

Total creditsEstimated resident costEstimated Washington border costEstimated non-resident cost
Master's - 69–76$46,193$50,333$65,204

Program cost estimates are based on 2025/26 PSU tuition and fees only. This chart is provided to help you estimate the minimum tuition and fees for program completion.

Additional fees may apply depending on the course of study that you choose to pursue and the specific courses for which you enroll, so you may also find it useful to review detailed tuition and fee information and the full cost of attendance for PSU graduate programs or undergraduate programs.

Financial aid and scholarship options may be available to offset program costs. Visit COE Scholarships for specific details on how to qualify and apply.

During the 2024–2026 Academic Years, the BTP Program will be undergoing curriculum revisions. Courses listed in the program are subject to change. Your advisor will keep you informed as they become finalized.

Curriculum

Students will engage in coursework that emphasizes bilingualism, second language acquisition, and the critical role of culture in shaping learning experiences. The program courses are designed to prepare future educators to effectively support linguistically and culturally diverse students in inclusive elementary classrooms and/or dual language immersion programs, as well as their families in the broader community. Through a bilingual-bicultural lens, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and cultural competencies needed to create equitable and responsive learning environments. The curriculum includes methods-based courses in mathematics, literacy, science, health, and social studies, with a strong focus on integrating culturally sustaining pedagogy and instructional strategies that address the unique needs of diverse learners.

The coursework includes classes required to obtain the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement and the Dual Language Specialization, in addition to the Elementary Education Multiple Subjects endorsement. Students may choose to complete the Dual Language Specialization either during the program or after its completion, while the ESOL endorsement coursework is fully completed during the program.

Course descriptions

For full course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.

Program format

Modality

Hybrid: This program includes in-person and online coursework.

Full-time

Time to completion: two years

Scheduling

Evening: Classes are held primarily in the evenings. Experiential learning in the second year requires daytime hours.

Weekly Estimated Time Commitment

The PSU Credit Hour Policy defines 1 credit hour as requiring a minimum of 3 hours of student time per week over the course of the term. PSU operates on the quarter system, and terms last 10 weeks.

Graduate school is a big commitment; please consider this information as a starting tool to help you gain a sense of the time commitment. Students learn differently and you may find that it takes you more time to complete the coursework on a weekly basis. Generally, a graduate program is more intensive and should require more time on homework than undergraduate courses; therefore, we recommend planning for more time than the minimum.

Students in this program typically take 9-12 credits per term and should expect to spend at least 20 hours per week outside of class on homework and related activities.

As the program progresses, students participate in experiential learning through practicums and student teaching, which require additional time to complete. Typically, student teaching occurs during the final two terms of the program, with time commitments gradually increasing. During the final spring term, students are expected to teach full-time, averaging 40 hours per week.

Program of Study

Cohort: This program operates as a cohort model, meaning that students follow a set program of study with a group of peers, learning together and providing a peer-support network. The program of study below outlines these classes term-by-term.

The cohort consists of both undergraduate students pursuing their bachelor’s degrees and graduate master’s students. Accordingly, the program offers undergraduate (400-level) and graduate (500-level) coursework tailored to each group.

Year 1CR
Fall
BBE 4/524 Professional Development & Reflection2
BBE 4/522 Human Development & Learning in Multicultural-Multilingual Communities4
*ESOL/DL: ELP 4/566 Impact of Language and Culture in the Classroom3
Winter
BBE 4/532 Language & Literacy Development for Diverse Learners3
BBE 4/534 Planning, Assessment, and Curriculum3
*ESOL/DL: CI 4/596 Second Language Acquisition and Development for K-12 Educators3
Spring
BBE 4/542 Elementary Mathematics Methods3
BBE 4/544 Culturally Responsive Learning Environments3
*ESOL/DL: CI 4/543 Effective Teaching Strategies and Materials for Working with Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students3
Summer
BBE 4/554 Technology & Education3
BBE 4/562 Elementary Science Methods for DL Learners3
BBE 4/552 Integrating Arts into Elementary Methods 3
*ESOL/DL: ELP 4/565 ELL School-Community Relations3
Year 2CR
Fall
BBE 4/580 Inquiry & Reflective Practitioner A3
BBE 4/572 Literacy Development in the Content Area3
*ESOL/DL: BBE 4/536 Bilingual Education History, Laws, and Policies3
Optional DL: BBE 4/548 Biliteracy Development (online asynchronous)3
Field Experience (Internship: 4 or Practicum 3)0-4
Winter
BBE 4/580 Inquiry & Reflective Practitioner B3
*ESOL: BBE 4/510 Inclusive Assessment for Multilingual Learners4
Optional DL: BBE 4/574 Biliteracy Assessment (online asynchronous)3
Field Experience (Internship or Student Teaching 1)4
Spring
BBE 4/580 Inquiry & Reflective Practitioner C2
*Adding ESOL: Practicum with field experience3
Field Experience (Internship or Student Teaching II)5-9
Total Program Credits73-82

Field Experience Options

TermDistrict Employee**Non-EmployeeIntern***
FallPracticum (3cr)Internship A (4cr)
WinterStudent Teaching I (4cr)Student Teaching I (4cr)Internship B (4cr)
SpringStudent Teaching II (9cr)Student Teaching II (9cr)Internship C (5cr)

** employed in district as paraeducator or instructional assistant
*** employed as a teacher of record

Program completion

A language proficiency exam will be required for the Dual-Language Specialization, and an ORELA ESOL exam will be required for the ESOL Endorsement, prior to being recommended for an Elementary Multiple Subjects License.

Once you’ve completed your program, you’ll need to apply for both your teaching license and degree (Master of Education or bachelor's degree).