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Master of Art in Education 

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Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity (MA- LIDE)  

UTEP’s Master of Arts in Linguistic Diversity & Education Equity is a fully online, 30 credit-hour degree designed for individuals who wish to pursue graduate studies focused on issues of equity, with a specific emphasis on promoting inclusive education for English Language Learners (ELLs)/Emergent Bilinguals (EBs). This degree program prepares educators to become advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) practitioners; it also prepares graduate students who plan to pursue a doctorate in education or the social sciences.  This program can be completed in as little as 12 months.

The Master of Arts in Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity program focuses on the practical application of equity-based theories and research in education for the teaching of ELLs/EBs. The program prepares teacher-leaders and researchers to critically consider the connections between linguistic diversity and power, both inside and outside of the PK-12 education system. Graduates of this program will develop critical perspectives, gain deeper knowledge in the design and implementation of culturally and linguistically sustaining curriculum and practices, and will earn strengthened credentials that enable them to implement assets-based, collaborative, inclusive learning opportunities in ESL settings.

Through coursework designed to promote critical analysis, reflection, and action, students will gain the knowledge needed to challenge Texas/their state’s required exam and earn an English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching endorsement.

While this degree program does prepare already teacher certified graduates to challenge their state exam for ESL supplemental endorsement, it does not include initial state teaching certification.  However, the Master of Arts in Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity may be combined with our on-campus Alternative Certification Program [ACP] for individuals seeking to obtain this M.A. degree and to earn an initial Texas teaching license with ESL supplemental certification (45 credits total). Admission to the Alternative Certification Program (ACP) requires a separate application process. For more information on the ACP program, including specific admissions information, please contact acp@utep.edu.

Admission Requirements:

To apply for the M.A. in Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity program, individuals must complete the application process through UTEP’s Graduate School.  Prospective students submit:

1)  a resume;

2) a written statement of purpose describing personal and professional goals related to obtaining the degree; and

3) transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended; transcripts should indicate at least a minimum satisfactory undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.

International students whose first language is not English must also submit an Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score; the score requirement can be found at .

The admission materials submitted will be reviewed holistically to assess the potential of the applicant for this advance course of study.  The successful applicant would typically have an undergraduate upper division GPA of 3.0 or higher that demonstrates focus on academics, a current resume that demonstrates basic knowledge or experience in education or education-related fields, and a written statement that demonstrates maturity and commitment to the field of Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity.

Program Application Deadlines:  

• To begin in Fall Semester, applications must be received by August 9^th.
• To begin in Spring Semester, applications must be received by January 5^th.
• To begin in Summer Semester, applications must be received by May 3^rd.

To apply for the M.A. in Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity program, go to Graduate School Application, select this program when prompted and follow the directions provided to submit your application.

Degree Requirements and Courses:

To earn a M.A. in Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity, UTEP requires for graduation: 1) successful completion of 30 hours of required coursework with a grade of “C” or better; 2) completion and passing of a Culminating Experience (either a Thesis or a Capstone Project); and 3) a final GPA of 3.0 or higher [Graduate School Requirement].

All students in this program complete 24 credits (8 courses) of content coursework.  The final 6 credits (2 courses) in the program depend on whether a student chooses to pursue the Capstone Pathway or Thesis Pathway as the Culminating Experience requirement for graduation. Students decide on their preferred pathway by their 1^st or 2^nd semester in the program in consultation with their faculty advisor.

Capstone Pathway:

For their Culminating Experience, students may choose to produce a capstone project, the topic of which is focused on linguistic diversity in education. Grounded in student interest, knowledge of the program content and a detailed synthesis of the related research literature, the successful capstone project focuses on identification of a real-world problem of interest and devising an innovative solution to address the issue utilizing an equity lens. Students in this pathway take two courses (TED 5388: Capstone 1 and TED 5390: Capstone 2) to provide content knowledge and support for designing and composing the capstone project.

Thesis Pathway:

For their Culminating Experience, students may choose to produce and orally defend a substantial research paper (i.e., a thesis), the topic of which is related to linguistic diversity in education. The successful completion of the thesis paper may be found in its critical and creative synthesis, articulation of a fresh perspective on the work of others or trends in the field, or the identification of new, research-based questions/data that shed light on existing problems or issues within the field of linguistic diversity and educational equity. Students in this pathway take two courses (TED 5398: Thesis 1 and TED 5399: Thesis 2) to provide content knowledge and support for designing and composing the thesis project.

During the final semester of coursework, students will meet virtually with the Teacher Education Department Graduate Studies Coordinator for an audit and verification of coursework and final GPA, verification of completion of the Thesis/Capstone project and application for graduation with UTEP’s Graduate School office. 

 Degree Plan:

Still have questions about the M.A. in Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity? Teacher Education Department staff are ready to answer your questions.  Please contact us at tedgrad@utep.edu.

Ready to apply to the M.A. in Linguistic Diversity & Educational Equity program? Go to Graduate School Application 

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