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Bilingual Authorization Program

Suzanne Garcia-Mateus for Monterey Bay Magazine
Education and Leadership

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is now accepting applications for the Bilingual Authorization Program (Spanish-English Emphasis). The Bilingual Authorization Program aims to prepare teachers to meet the needs of both the region and the state’s Emergent Bilingual or English Language Learners population.

This program provides opportunities for current teacher candidates and credential holders to obtain the Bilingual Authorization while cultivating the knowledge, skills, and abilities exhibited by effective bilingual education teachers.

The focus of the CSUMB program will be the linguistic, social, racial and cultural factors in educational experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse students and how factors are considered for effective and culturally sustaining learning practices. Other areas of concentration include primary language development, second and simultaneous language acquisition, evaluation and current research.

Each candidate is ensured a highly individualized, relevant experience through ongoing, structured mentoring from a support provider, mentorship, university coursework, and university/district collaboration.

Outcomes

The program trains candidates to:

  • Value knowledge which leads to effective teaching practice to serve our diverse student population
  • Understand methodological practices that support the first, second and simultaneous language acquisition of Spanish-speaking students and emergent bilinguals
  • Support and advocate for primary language programs for bilingual students
  • Meet instructional needs of bilingual learners in multilingual settings
  • View multilingualism as an asset, resource and a right
  • Recognize the rights of multilingual students in the Tri-County area which includes Indigenous languages and Spanish

Who is Eligible to Participate?

Bilingual Authorization is available to both Credentialed Teachers & Teacher Candidates currently completing a CSUMB credential program.  Please note:  The Bilingual Authorization is a dependent authorization.  One must either hold a valid California Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Special Education credential with English Learner Authorization, or be eligible for one and apply for it at the same time as the Bilingual Authorization, in order to add the authorization at the end of the Bilingual Authorization program coursework.  The Bilingual Authorization must be added on to a pre-requisite credential.

Admissions Requirements

Requirements differ based on if you are concurrently enrolled in a credential program, or post-credential.

Concurrently Enrolled Credential Candidates

  • Meet all of the admissions requirements for respective credential program
  • Interns concurrently seeking the Bilingual Authorization must first request it when initially applying for the intern credential
  • Interview in-person at CSUMB
  • Complete a short essay in Spanish at the in-person interview

Post Credential

  • Valid California Elementary, Secondary Education, or Education Specialist teaching credential that authorizes instruction to English learners (2042 authorization, a CLAD, or equivalent)
  • Interview in-person at CSUMB
  • Complete a short essay in Spanish at in-person interview

Steps to Apply

Interested? Please follow the steps below to apply!

  1. Fill out Bilingual Authorization Interest Form, and email BiAu program coordinator, Suzanne García. Dr. García contacts interested applicants with further directions. Registration begins via regular university registration periods and via Extended Education for applicants who are not a part of CSU-Monterey Bay.
  2. In-person Interview with BiAu Program Coordinator, Suzanne García.
  3. Applicants email required documents to Darlene Moitoso, dmoitoso@csumb.edu. Documents include proof of passing the edTPA or teacher credential. 
  4. Dr. Suzanne García will email approved applicants an approval letter in the form of a PDF. The letter is required in order to register, and is a requirement for the Open University registration process.
  5. Applicants receive notification from Extended Education of their finalized registration
  6. The Bilingual Authorization Program Coordinator will email a final letter of acceptance to the applicant. The letter will contain additional details about the courses, textbook requirements, and summer start dates.

Registration is Now Open

Registration for Spring 2026 is open. Registration for Summer 2026 will open in March. Complete the interest form below and email Dr. Suzanne Garcia to schedule an interview for the Spring or Summer '26 BiAu cohort.

Program Interest Form Email Dr. Garcia
Masters student teaching a class of young students in a classroom.

Bilingual Authorization Required Courses

Courses can be taken in any order:

Summer 2026

  • ED 604A/B Bilingual Field Placement: Students will apply theoretical understandings regarding bilingual approaches for students and the adaptation of both curriculum and the environment to meet individual needs and abilities. Includes observation, participation, planning and practice teaching (in-person) in K-6 or 6-12 bilingual public school classrooms. The clinical experience will include a total of 20 hours of planning curriculum, meeting with students and a co-teacher, and creating lessons in Spanish for a bilingual classroom. *Students have the option of using their own classroom if they are part of a bilingual program and can work with a colleague to provide mentoring on their campus. *School placement dates are subject to change depending on local schools' summer schedules.
    • Summer 2026: students will add an additional 20 hours to an existing bilingual education placement.
      • Offered: Local Public School
      • Modality: Local Public School
    • Dates: June 8th- July 24th, 7 weeks
      • Offered: Local Public School
      • Modality: In-person
  • ED 610 Methods and Inquiry for Bilingual Teachers: Developing knowledge of the effectiveness of bilingual education and bilingualism in the United States. Building knowledge of how to plan, develop, implement and assess standards. Developing knowledge of the influence of intercultural classroom climate, school community, and students’ individual linguistic, cultural, and immigration history on students’ participation.
    • Summer 2026 dates: June 8th-June 19th, 2 weeks. Hybrid: M-T-Th in-person, W-F asynchronous
  • ED 629 Culture and Education of Latine Students: Examining the impact of historical, social, political and economic factors of Latine students in the U.S. Developing an understanding of cultural influences on learning and creating culturally sustaining classrooms.
    • Summer 2026 dates: July 6th-July 17th, 2 weeks. Hybrid: M-T-Th in-person, W-F asynchronous
Campus picture at sunset

Questions? Get in Touch!

We are happy to answer any additional questions you might have. If you are interested in the Bilingual Authorization program, reach out today!

I'm interested!

We offer many different pathways to teaching. Contact us for more information.

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Suzanne García, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bilingual Authorization Program Coordinator, Director of the Monterey Institute for English Learners (M.I.E.L), Project Director of El Centro