by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you have ever dreamed about working with and teaching non-English speakers, then bilingual and multilingual education is for you. You get to give students the skills necessary to succeed in school by teaching basic academics in their native language and helping them adjust to English. Your goal is to help produce bilingual or multilingual individuals.
The types of classes you will take will vary depending on what school you attend, but you most likely take courses such as composition, foreign language, linguistics, and education courses. You could also take language learning and acquisitions and literacy development.
The concentrations within this major include Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education and Indian/Native American Education.
Multilingual Education was the 234th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,910 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 11.4% increase in multilingual education degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,692.
Our 2023 Best Multilingual Education Schools ranking analyzes 58 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for multilingual education students. Explore this or one of our many other custom multilingual education rankings further below.
In this field, it helps to have a knack for foreign languages. You will be working with students that could come from anywhere in the world and it will be your job to help them acclimate in school. In this field, it is necessary to be aware of other cultures and backgrounds and to be very accepting of others. You should have an open mind and be willing to work with anyone. You may also need to work with students of varying ages.
Patience is necessary while working with people who do not speak English as their native language. It is your job as the educator to motivate your students. This means you should be creative and energetic. If you are excited to teach, your students will be excited to learn.
You will be required to complete field experience hours and student teach in order to get certified.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most multilingual education degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional multilingual education certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Multilingual Education degree levels vary. Multilingual Education programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest multilingual education degree you can get. The type of multilingual education degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to multilingual education, with approximately 58.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to multilingual education tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 62.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 16.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 11.3% |
| Some College Courses | 3.9% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.6% |
88.7% of multilingual education workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in multilingual education have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which multilingual education career you choose.
With a degree in multilingual education you can work as an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher. You can also work as a private tutor for both children and adults. Right now, the teaching field is very difficult to break into. However, any profession it is helpful to be fluent in a language other than English.
Want a job when you graduate with your multilingual education degree? Multilingual Education careers are expected to grow 8.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to multilingual education.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers | 1,514,900 | 7.4% |
| High School Teachers | 1,095,500 | 7.5% |
| Teachers | 1,091,800 | 9.9% |
| Middle School Teachers | 677,700 | 7.5% |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 166,700 | 8.0% |
Recently graduated multilingual education students earned an average of $58,230 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $26,546 to as high as $81,638. As you might expect, salaries for multilingual education graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for multilingual education graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers multilingual education grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Teachers | $64,340 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $62,200 |
| Middle School Teachers | $62,030 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | $58,370 |
With over 256 different multilingual education degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased multilingual education school rankings to help you with this.
Multilingual Education is one of 14 different types of Education programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Bilingual & Multilingual Education | 1,309 |
| Multicultural Education | 354 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, & Multicultural Education | 213 |
| Indian/Native American Education | 34 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 110,226 |
| Educational Administration | 46,469 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 43,297 |
| Special Education | 36,792 |
| General Education | 29,810 |
Image Credit: By DIAC images under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
