Program Overview

Elementary Education: Bilingual Emphasis

Overview

Make a difference in the lives of dual-language youth by majoring in Elementary Education with a bilingual endorsement. Elementary educators with a bilingual endorsement help bilingual students gain foundational footing in core subjects. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Education, students in the two-year program also earn an Elementary Certificate K-8 with a bilingual endorsement in English and Spanish. This credential allows them to teach in bilingual or dual-language classrooms or traditional settings. During the program, students split time between the University of Arizona and a local K-8 school. At the elementary school, they immerse themselves in Spanish and gain teaching experience with diverse language learners. Students also have the opportunity to student-teach in Mexico.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• TLS 323: Literacy Methods in Multilingual Classrooms
• TLS 401: Sustaining Family, Community and School Partnerships
• TLS 406: Assessment and Instruction with English Language Learners

Career Fields

• Education
• Special education
• Counseling
• Government
• Nonprofit

Level of Math

• General Knowledge

This strand involves the general understanding and appreciation of how mathematics is used to solve problems in everyday life. The G-strand does not prepare a student for any further work grounded in mathematics and assumes the student will not proceed beyond the basic Foundations level noted above. Thus only those students whose major requires the most general knowledge of mathematics should take this strand.

Level of Second Language

• 4th Semester Proficiency

Fourth-semester skill level in a second language is required. B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options:

• Scoring the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona.
• Completion of a two-course sequence beyond the second semester of post-secondary language instruction.
• Completion with a C or higher of a 300- or 400-level language course at the post-secondary level.
• Completion of one course beyond the third semester in combination with an AP (Advanced Placement) score, IB (International Baccalaureate) score or a CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) score determined by the individual language department.
• An AP, IB, or CLEP language score determined by individual language departments
• A minimum of one semester study abroad in a language program approved by the appropriate language department as the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level.

Pre-major Required?

• Yes

Additional Admissions Requirements

This major has additional admission criteria. Please see the College of Education website for more information.

This Major's College

• College of Education

Degree

• Bachelor of Arts in Education

Sample Plans

2025, Elementary Education: Bilingual Emphasis

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

• 1st Semester
  • ENGL 101 Foundation Composition (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1)
  • GE General Math Strand (3)
  • Intermediate Spanish - SPAN 251 OR 253 (3)
  • TLS 197 (recommended) (1)
• 2nd Semester
  • ENGL 102 Foundation Composition (3)
  • Intermediate Spanish - SPAN 323 OR 325 (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)

Second Year

• 3rd Semester
  • Mathematics - MATH 302A (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 409 (3)
  • Spanish Elective - SPAN 473 OR 441 (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
• 4th Semester
  • US & AZ Constitution - POL 210 (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • Intermediate Conversation/Advanced Spanish - SPAN 330 OR 333 (3)
  • Mathematics - MATH 302B (3)
  • Music, Art & Drama (3)
  • General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1)

Third Year

• 5th Semester
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 401 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 300 (3)
  • Practicum - TLS 394 (1)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 402 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 482 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - Science of Reading (3)
• 6th Semester
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 406 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 308 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 323 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 324 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 327 (3)
  • Practicum - TLS 394 (1)

Fourth Year

• 7th Semester
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 322 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 326 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 336 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - TLS 351 (3)
  • Elementary Education Core - SERP 400 (3)
  • Practicum - TLS 394 (1)
• 8th Semester
  • Student Teaching - TLS 493B (11)
  • Capstone - TLS 498 (1)