Bilingual learners are the fastest growing population in the United States, and they are among the most marginalized, segregated and underserved populations in public education. Situated in the Southwest, our graduate degrees prioritize equity and justice in PK–12 education for multilingual learners, including students with disabilities.

The Equity, Bilingualism and Biliteracy (EBB) program area seeks to understand and critically respond to issues at the intersection of language, culture, ability and identity, educational and social policies, teacher preparation and teacher learning, and the social and political contexts of schooling. This includes critical explorations of, and interventions related to, the various aspects of schooling that affect multilingual learners and their communities, such as the development of bilingualism and biliteracy, restrictive language and literacy policies, high-stakes accountability, teacher education, disproportionate representation in special education, racio-linguistic ideologies, the implementation of various bilingual education models, immigration policies and transnationalism. EBB aims specifically to prepare critical, equity- and justice-oriented researchers, teacher educators, and school district and community leaders.

With deep connections to teaching and teacher preparation, EBB faculty partner with schools, classrooms and communities to conduct research, support teacher learning and advocate for, and work in solidarity with, multilingual students, families and community members. We offer courses in language acquisition and biliteracy development, language ideologies and policies, critical perspectives on disability, sociolinguistics and the preparation of justice-centered teachers to work with multilingual learners. Faculty also offer courses in special education methodologies, assessment and program development/implementation, and teacher education/learning. Additional related courses are available in other School of Education programs and in other departments across the university.

All graduate degrees prioritize K–12 bilingualism in the United States, with a strong emphasis on Spanish/English bilingualism. EBB programs are designed to prepare graduates to work and lead in universities, state, federal and local education agencies, schools, school districts, and community-based organizations. Doctoral level preparation is research oriented and qualifies graduates for a range of roles, including faculty in university positions.