PH.D. IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY WITH EMPHASIS IN BILINGUAL/ESL EDUCATION
The 75-hour doctoral program in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Bilingual Education/ESL (BIED) prepares graduates for university and leadership positions in the field of education, including consultation and evaluation, teacher training and supervision or coordination of programs. A combination of coursework, practica, program competencies and the final dissertation ensure both the breadth and depth of training. The program is led by trained and experienced faculty in bilingual assessment, curriculum development, research methodology, program evaluation, distance teaching formats, and instructional design.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The degree program includes the following course requirements:
- Bilingual education core (27 hours)
- Research and evaluation (15 hours)
- Practica and internship (12 hours)
- Specialization/cognate electives (9 hours)
- Dissertation (12 hours minimum)
PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
Besides seminar-based learning, the doctoral program develops competencies across the following areas through practica:
- College teaching (mentored and supervised)
- Research — planning, executing, writing, presenting and submitting two studies for publication prior to dissertation
- Program assessment evaluation (planning, executing and writing)
- Grant writing (co-writing and submitting)
ADMISSIONS
December 1 for the following fall semester
* An alternate application deadline of April 1 is available for the Educational Psychology Ph.D. programs. Note that applications submitted by the December 1 deadline will receive priority in the review process and may have access to more funding opportunities.
Students select committee members and develop a degree plan, which must be submitted for approval. Applicants must follow all departmental admission requirements.
How to Apply Apply NowProgram Details
Degree: Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (EPSY)
Emphasis: Bilingual Education (BIED)
Degrees Offered: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Credit Hours: minimum 75 hours
*Select College of Education and update credit hours
Core Curriculum
The Ph.D. in educational psychology in bilingual education is designed with considerable flexibility within the core requirements and areas of specializations outlined. A total of 75 hours of approved coursework, practica, professional internship, independent study, seminars and research credit beyond the master’s degree is required. Alternative courses or proficiency may be substituted with committee approval for the five required components listed below.
Ph.D. Curriculum
Bilingual Education Core – 27 Hours
BIED 610 | Bilingual Assessment & Monitoring Students | 3 |
BIED 611 | Dual Language Program Methodologies | 3 |
BIED 612 | Content Area Instruction for Bilingual Programs | 3 |
BIED 613 | Spanish/English Biliteracy | 3 |
BIED 614 | Bilingual Education Curriculum Development | 3 |
BIED 616 | Spanish for Bilingual and Dual Language Classrooms | 3 |
BIED 619 | Second Language Acquisition in Pre-K-12; Advanced Theory and Practice | 3 |
BIED 620 | Current Issues in Bilingual Education | 3 |
BIED 632 | Research in Second Language Education | 3 |
Research and Evaluation – 15 Hours
BIED 615 | Teacher Action Research | 3 |
BIED 617 | Evaluation of Programs with Bilingual and Language Minority Students K-12 | 3 |
EPSY 640 | Statistical Analysis in Educational Research I (Prerequisite: EPSY 636) | 3 |
EPSY 641 | Statistical Analysis in Educational Research II (Prerequisite: EPSY 640) | 3 |
Select one from the following (please consult with your committee chair) |
||
EPSY 633 | Qualitative Research Design and Data Collection | 3 |
EPSY 637 | Qualitative Grounded Theory Methodologies | 3 |
EPSY 642 | Meta-Analysis of Behavioral Research | 3 |
EPSY 643
EPSY 650 |
Applied Multivariate Methods
Multiple Regression and Other Linear Models in Education Research |
3
3 |
EPSY 656 | Survey Instrument Development | 3 |
Practica and Directed Studies- 12 Hours
BIED 683 | Field Practicum Bilingual Research | 3 | ||
BIED 683 | Field Practicum in Grant Writing | 3 | ||
BIED 683 | Field Practicum in College Teaching/Supervision | 3 | ||
BIED 685 | Directed Studies | 3 | ||
Electives – 9 Hours
The following are sample courses (please consult with your committee chair)
EDTC 608 | Foundations of Distance Learning | 3 |
EDTC 613 | Integrating Technology in Learning Environments | 3 |
EPSY 602 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
EPSY 625 | Advanced Psychometric Theory | 3 |
EPSY 651 | Theory of Structural Equation Modeling | 3 |
EPSY 652 | Theory of Hierarchical Linear Modeling | 3 |
EPSY 654 | Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
EPSY 655 | Item Response Theory | 3 |
SPED 618 | Induction to Professoriate Development in Higher Education | 3 |
SPED 620 | Bilingual Special Education | 3 |
SPED 630 | Reading for At-Risk and Disabled Learners | 3 |
RDNG 620 | Literacy and Language | 3 |
Dissertation – 12 Hours Minimum
Dissertation credit hours are taken under BIED 691.
Any other coursework requires permission from the student’s committee.
*75 hours beyond a master’s degree; 96 hours beyond a bachelor’s degree (with an optional master’s degree)
Contact
Faculty

Dr. Sandra Acosta
Associate Professor

Dr. Rafael Lara-Alecio
Regents Professor

Dr. Yolanda Padron
Professor

Dr. Hector Rivera
Associate Professor

Dr. Miranda Walichowski
Clinical Associate Professor
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctoral
What are the typical program costs?
The following website can help you estimate the cost of the program, including current costs of tuition and fees: Click here for the cost of attendance estimator
Please note, you must update the program hours.
Can you guide me through the application process?
How to Apply: Master’s Application Information | Doctoral Application Information
I live out of state. Do you accept out-of-state applicants?
Yes, we accept in-state and out-of-state applicants.
Is there any opportunity for financial assistance?
Yes, there are opportunities for financial assistance through the following departments: Office of Graduate Studies Financial Aid