Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education M.A.T.
Prepare to meet the educational needs of all culturally and linguistically diverse students, in one of the top teacher education programs in the nation. The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLD) program prepares general education teachers as well as CLD specialists to serve emergent bilingual learners throughout Colorado, the United States and around the world:
- Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) at Colorado’s primary institution for teacher education. We prepare the largest number of teachers in Colorado and rank fifth in teacher candidate graduates in the nation.
- Complete your master’s degree in two years or your CLD endorsement in 16 months in a flexible program designed for working teachers.
- Apply your learning via extensive field experience and research opportunities, including in-school practice and observation with CLD-certified teachers. You can also customize learning experiences to meet your needs and interests.
Degree Details
Credits Required:
30
Location/Delivery:
Online
Time to Completion:
20 Months
CLD Endorsement
In addition to the Master of Arts in teaching program, we offer a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education endorsement, which you can earn in conjunction with the master’s degree or on its own.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement
Earn your CLD endorsement in just 16 months at UNC. As the population of culturally and linguistically diverse learners increases, many school districts are now requiring that all of their teachers have endorsements in CLD education. Our CLD endorsement program will prepare you to effectively serve the unique needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students in all types of educational settings, in the United States and around the world.
Take the next step! Explore courses, contact information and admission requirements.
Related Programs
Your Future in CLD Education
Schools everywhere need teachers with the knowledge and classroom skills to meet the academic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Earning your master’s degree in our nationally recognized teacher education program will open diverse career pathways and opportunities for advancement in your field.
Consider UNC's M.A.T. in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education if you:
- Have a teaching license or are enrolled in a teacher education program
- Want to help culturally and linguistically diverse students succeed in school
- Are looking for a flexible master’s and/or endorsement program you can complete while continuing your teaching career
You’ll learn:
- Second language and literacy development
- Effective methods to collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators and members of the community to advocate for the academic success of CLD students
- Principles of social justice, equity, activism and sociocritical literacy
Sample courses:
- Language, School and Society
- Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
- Field Experience in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in the U.S. Educational System
- Foundations of Language and Linguistics for ESL/Bilingual Educators
- Second Language Acquisition Theory
Where can your degree take you?
Due to the high demand for teachers with CLD credentials, most of our graduates have promotions or new jobs in place upon completion of the program. The theories, skills and strategies included in the CLD Education program will put you in high demand in a wide range of careers and further study in education, including:
- General education teacher
- CLD specialist
- School counselor
- School social worker
- Instructional Coordinator
- Doctoral study
Current Research
In addition to being caring, dedicated educators who are deeply invested in students’ success, our faculty are also top researchers in their respective fields. Our department’s current research undertakings include:
Language Development through Youth Media
Dana Walker, Ph.D.
Dana Walker, Ph.D., is currently researching the potential for development of language, literacy, voice and empowerment through Youth Radio and Radio Arts. As part of this ongoing research, she is working with community-based bilingual radio and print journalists, poets, actors, teachers and immigrant youth. Dr. Walker is the author of A Pedagogy of Powerful Communication: News Radio and radio arts in the Multilingual Classroom.
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