PhD in Education with an emphasis in Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy

The program emphasis in Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy is specifically geared toward preparing researchers and leadership personnel in the field of bilingual multicultural education. Graduates are typically employed in schools of education as faculty and/or researchers. They also serve in professional positions with state and federal education agencies as well as local school districts.

Students are expected to bring an appropriate Master's degree and professional background to the doctoral program. The exact nature of the MA and professional experience required for admission depends upon the career goals of the candidate, but many candidates bring an MA in Bilingual/Multicultural Education or related degree, and experience in a bilingual classroom.

Financial Support

All of our doctoral students are awarded generous funding packages. Stipends and grants cover tuition costs and provide experiential graduate assistantships that further prepare you for your future as a researcher, educator, and leader in the field. Fellowship and assistantship packages are awarded on a competitive basis and vary for each student, but all funding packages cover five years of full-time study. 

A typical package will include a total of a 50% appointment (~20hr/week) through a Graduate Research Assistantship and/or Teaching Assistantship, full tuition remission and a fellowship to assist with student fees, the majority of the CU Student Health Gold Insurance Plan, and a stipend of approximately $21,400 per academic year. Please note that these figures are subject to change and summer funding is not guaranteed.

Admissions Requirements

  • A Personal Statement
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts are required after admission)
  • Optional GRE test score
  • TOEFL scores for international students
  • Application Fee ($60 domestic application/$80 international) along with the application

Admission to all our graduate programs is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. In an effort to safeguard educational equity and access, the CU Boulder School of Education has adopted a test-optional policy for the GRE requirement for prospective doctoral applicants seeking Fall 2022 admission. Students may still submit GRE scores for consideration, which will be reviewed as a part of a holistic process. However, not submitting GRE scores will in no way make your application less competitive for admission to the School of Education. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Deadline

  • December 1, domestic
  • November 15, international 

  For more information about courses and program requirements, . 

We warmly invite you to apply for the Doctoral Mentorship Pathway Program for 2024-25

This program is designed to create a pathway for historically underrepresented and marginalized education scholars and practitioners who are considering doctoral studies in Fall 2025. We hope to use this program to make the sometimes mystifying process of applying to a PhD program more visible, to provide an opportunity for you to get to know our students and faculty, and participate in sessions where we’ll talk about how to apply and what the realities are for students of color studying in a predominantly white research institution. 

  Applications due Aug. 5—apply today!

Meet Our Faculty

Alison Boardman

Associate Professor
Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy

Mileidis Gort

Associate Dean for Graduate EducationProfessor
Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy

Susan Hopewell

Associate ProfessorDirector of Literacy Squared
Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy

Deena Gumina

Assistant Teaching ProfessorChair of Elementary Teacher Education
Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy

Vanessa Santiago Schwarz

Assistant Teaching Professor
Equity, Bilingualism & BiliteracyBUENO Center

Jamy Stillman

Associate ProfessorChair of TLRP
Equity, Bilingualism & BiliteracyTeacher Learning, Research & Practice

Program Chair

Deborah Palmer

Professor and ChairChair of the Education Minor and Education Studies
Equity, Bilingualism & BiliteracyBUENO Center

Interested in our graduate programs?

Graduate students

We offer Colorado’s top-ranked graduate education in multiple program areas and would love to to provide you with relevant information about our programs. We look forward to learning about your graduate studies journey!

Fall 2023 Information Sessions

   School of Education Graduate Studies Preview Day (in-person)

Please join the School of Education for our Graduate Studies Preview Day on Saturday, Nov. 9. This program will be hosted in person and is open for all prospective Master's and PhD students. The program will include an overview of the application process and education program areas, breakout sessions with faculty by program area of interest, and a current graduate student panel for Q&A. Registration is required.