Program Overview

Bilingual Authorization Program

The Bilingual Authorization (BILA) program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is designed for teacher candidates who wish to teach in Dual Language classrooms. This program allows students to obtain an additional Bilingual Authorization to teach in classrooms where the language of focus is appropriate for instruction and in situations where teachers use the target language in interaction with families.

Program Summary

The BILA authorization pathway is available for candidates in any of the Post-Bac Pathways as well as the ITEP Undergraduate Pathway. At CSULB, Bilingual Authorization is offered in the following language areas:

• Korean
• Mandarin
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

Program Design

The preliminary bilingual teacher preparation program provides an explicit guiding statement of its philosophy, purpose, and rationale relating to bilingual education. Coursework and fieldwork/clinical practice experiences are designed to ensure candidates demonstrate:

• A value for the assets students bring to the content and practice of bilingual education
• Advocacy for the policies, practices, and activities consistent with the ideals of racial and social justice
• Support for equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices in all aspects of the program

Course of Study

The course of study includes:

• Admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP)
• Passing a Language Proficiency Exam
• Passing the CSET LOTE Subtest III-Language and Communication
• Taking the appropriate Culture course for the target language or CSET LOTE V
• Taking the appropriate Language Methods courses for the target language or CSET LOTE IV

Field Experience

Candidates pursuing a BILA Authorization must complete 8 out of the 16 student teaching units in a bilingual setting. Every attempt is made to place candidates in appropriate and challenging settings where they can be supervised by strong mentor teachers and develop their abilities to provide culturally relevant instruction to K-12 English learners.

Assessment of Candidates

Students are assessed for program competencies in assigned language and culture courses and through student teaching observations. Language proficiency is assessed by passing the CSET LOTE III exam and by observing language abilities in class and during student teaching.

Location, Delivery Models, and Pathways

The BILA program is offered at the main CSULB campus and through the College of Professional and International Education (CPIE) Open University or Continuing Education. The program is available in various modalities, including in-person, hybrid, and online.

Faculty Qualifications

The program faculty includes:

• Trini Lewis, Ph.D.
• Jose Moreno, Ph.D.
• Olga Rubio, Ph.D.
• Shelley Xu, Ed.D.

Organizational Structure

The Bilingual Authorization program is part of the College of Education at CSULB.

Credential Recommendations

Candidates admitted into the Bilingual Added Authorization Program receive initial and ongoing advising from their Bilingual Program Coordinator. Candidates establish a file in the CSU, Long Beach Credential Center and submit all supporting documentation. The Credential Center ensures that only candidates who have successfully completed all requirements for the authorization are recommended for the Bilingual Added Authorization.