Bilingual Education
LMU is proud to offer educators a bilingual authorization in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish, with coursework integrated in a master‘s degree or as a stand-alone program for current teaching credential holders. Receive individualized advisement and support throughout. In partnership with schools and districts across California, we invite you to join the legacy of LMU teaching alumni making a difference across communities.
Explore Your Options
California schools are enriched by diverse linguistic and cultural assets of K-12 students, making the need for bilingual teachers more pressing than ever. Intertwine your creative teaching skills with advanced certification via a bilingual authorization to teach in two languages (English plus Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, or Spanish).
For candidates who already hold a teaching credential, the additional coursework is three graduate classes (9 units). For candidates enrolled in our M.A. in Transformative Education within the Language and Culture concentration, the bilingual authorization coursework is included with the M.A. A CSET exam in the primary language is also required.
Program Options
Bilingual Authorization
- Available for current California teaching credential holders
- Available for candidates enrolled in Language and Culture concentration for M.A. in Transformative Education program with Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching
Typical Program Length
- Current California teaching credential holders: 1-2 semesters
- Integrated with Multiple or Single Subject Credential + M.A. in Transformative Education; 2 years
Cohort Program?
Yes
Units/Hours to Completion
(units vary by fieldwork pathway)
- Already hold a teaching credential - 3 classes (9 graduate units)
- Concurrent enrollment in the M.A. in Transformative Education, Language and Culture concentration; authorization coursework (9 units), along with optional M.A. coursework (7 units), is completed in year 2 after the Multiple or Single Subject credential requirements (18-23 units) are completed in year one.
- A CSET exam in the primary language is also required for either option.
Estimated Cost
$1,726 per unit before scholarship and/or aid applied
Course Modality/Meeting Times
Online. Synchronous courses meet on a weekday in late afternoon or evening.
Upcoming Application Priority Deadline
- May 1, 2026 for concurrent enrollment with Multiple or Single Subject Credential and M.A. in Transformative Education (Partnership deadlines will vary.)
- July 15, 2026 for current teaching credential holders who are eligible for the Bilingual Authorization only.
Upcoming Program Admit Start Date
- Summer Session II (late June) when combined with credential/M.A.
- Fall (available for current teaching credential holders only)
Start Your Journey with LMU
Application Requirements
- Apply to multiple or single subject credential/M.A. program: online application (or, if already credentialed as teacher in California, apply to Bilingual Authorization only online application)
- Personal statement of intent
- Official transcripts
- Forms/agreements (when applicable)
- International transcript evaluation (if applicable)
- Request for exception to GPA (if applicable)
- More Details
California CTC Requirements
- Concurrent enrollment in teacher preparation program or an existing California teaching credential is required
- Language competency exam - CSET Language 3
Coursework
- Bilingualism and Biliteracy (3 units)
- Culture: An Interdisciplinary Perspective (3 units)
- Methodology for Language Instruction in a Bilingual Setting (3 units)
Our team is happy to assist you. Reach out any time so we can answer your questions and provide personalized information.
Email: soeteacherprep@lmu.edu
Phone: 310.258.8791
Take Your Next Step Today
Legal Disclosures
Due to the primarily online nature of our LMU teacher preparation programs, we are currently unable, per federal guidelines, to issue documentation for international F1 visas.
While coursework is online, all daily required fieldwork is on-site at an applicable K-12 school. All teacher preparation program candidates are required to reside in California for the duration of the credential licensure program.
Per Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v), all LMU School of Education credential/licensure programs meet the California state requirements as specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). The institution has not made a determination as to whether these credential, licensure, and professional preparation programs meet the requirements of states outside of California. If you are interested in practicing outside the state of California, it is recommended that you contact the respective licensing entity of that state to seek information or guidance regarding their licensure and credential requirements in advance to allow for appropriate planning.