Multilingual education MA
To ensure the success of all of our C&I MA and PhD current students, enhance the student experience for future graduate students, and based upon changing federal education guidelines and available funding, the Department of Curriculum & Instruction is pausing admissions on this program for one calendar year. No students will be admitted to start this program in the Fall 2027-Spring 2028 academic year. Admissions processes will resume in Fall 2027 to admit students for Fall 2028. All updated admissions information will be available by September 2027.
The pause of admissions only applies to the MA and/or PhD program on this page. This does not affect the admissions and enrollment procedures for other programs such as the Curriculum & Instruction's MEd programs or certificates. Those programs will continue to admit and enroll students without pause.
The MA program in multilingual education offers students the opportunity to study language use, teaching, learning, and policy. The ideal candidates for the program have at least three years of teaching experience and diverse backgrounds demonstrating commitment in furthering education and research in multilingual education.
Quote from Aracely Thomas, 2023
I have nothing but praise for the faculty in this program. They have challenged me to dive deeper into my writing, and explore other avenues that could help me in my future research.
About the program
Curriculum
MA candidates will focus broadly on multilingual education. Topics include:
- English as a multilingual (ESL) for K-12, postsecondary, and adult basic education classrooms
- Bilingual and immersion education
- Traditional foreign language education in both K-12 and postsecondary settings
Students pursue a course of study that is designed in collaboration with the faculty adviser to correspond to the interests and background of each student. The study plan will provide a solid understanding of research and best practice in the field. Independent scholarship is encouraged. Students will either write and defend a final thesis (Plan A) or a qualifying final paper (Plan B).
View the curriculum in the course catalog under Requirements > Program Sub-Plan Requirements > Second Language Education.
Research opportunities
Students can engage in research that advances the field of multilingual education and ties into their area of interest. Faculty work closely with you to achieve your research and educational goals and improve educational opportunities for students. Learn more about the student research experience in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
View faculty areas of research expertise.
Examples of past student theses include:
- Negotiating for meaning in pair work in learning Ojibwe L2
- Spanish immersion materials and secondary classroom ecology
- Expressions used by university ESL students to signal roles in academic discussions
- Genre analysis course design: Graphic novels and beyond
- Creating Ojibwe lesson plans: Restorative justice from the perspective of a White ally
Career outlook
Graduates of the program have assumed positions as university faculty, instructional leaders in the public schools, curriculum development specialists, and assessment specialists. Recent graduates have found employment in the following positions:
- Teaching specialist, UMN writing studies and Minnesota English Language Program (MELP)
- Teaching specialist, Department of French and Italian, University of Minnesota
- Instruction and framework development manager, add.a.lingua (a company that supports immersion programs)
- Principal, Normandale French Immersion
- Spanish teacher, Saint Paul Academy and Summit School
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