Bilingual / Bicultural Studies (M.A.)

What you’ll learn

The Master of Arts degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies is a part-time degree program (evenings) for any professionals willing to become culturally aware and learn a second language–Spanish. This program is geared towards people who work with the ever-growing Hispanic population of the Philadelphia area and the nation. Students wishing to pursue the program on a full-time basis may do so.

Why Study Bilingual / Bicultural Studies at La Salle?

The curriculum for this program is unique in the country and is designed to address two main areas:

The bilingual component is individualized according to the student proficiency.

The bicultural component is designed to respond to the professional needs of the student. In today’s globalized society, well-qualified bilingual professionals have become essential as they compete for opportunities in a unique and expanding world.

Curriculum, Courses and Requirements

Highlighted Courses

BLS 520 – Field Experience in the Latino Community

During the academic year, each student works in placements in a field experience directly related to his or her profession in the Greater Philadelphia/New Jersey Latino community. Teachers assist in bilingual schools; police in districts in bilingual neighborhoods; and social workers in social agencies dealing with Latinos, etc.

BLS 604 – Cultural Pluralism and Minority Groups in the U.S.

Focusing on the ethnicity, language, and cultural and social stratification of minorities, with an emphasis on that of Latinos, this course analyzes contemporary American opportunity, family and class structures, social mobility, migration, the so-called “culture of poverty,” urbanism, and related concepts and issues. Certain psychological dimensions, such as self-concept and the self-fulfilling prophecy, are also examined.

BLS 615 – Health-Care Interpretation

This course provides information on the health-care system in the United States, medical terminology, code of ethics for medical interpreters, and use of interpreters in health-care situations. In consecutive interpreting, students continue to enhance their memory and note-taking skills. They work on detecting and correcting problems from the listening stage to the delivery stage. In simultaneous interpreting, students work on polishing their delivery and language register. In sight translation, students become familiar with the different forms used in hospitals and health-care centers. Peer-assessment and self-assessment are encouraged in order to bring awareness of the importance of self-monitoring in interpreting. Furthermore, this course discusses current issues in health-care interpreting and provides information for further development in the profession.

Meet the Faculty

Faculty Team

Career Opportunities

The program is designed to provide extensive bilingual and bicultural instruction for teachers, nurses, hospital employees, social workers, court employees, police officers, and human resources professionals.

100% employment

After first year of completion.

No competition

This unique program is the only one of its kind in the US.

Pondering on my experience with the Bilingual Bicultural program at La Salle, it’s been overwhelming how I achieved native-like competence in Spanish in less than 2 years, discovered others and myself, and integrated cultural differences. Altogether, it is not just about my academic success, I became a new person.

Brother Bako Bapio Pierre, F.S.C., M.A. ’23

President and Leadership

Op-Ed

I am inspired every day by the contributions our students make to the community. I am energized by how our University—as well as others—are reinventing themselves during challenging times to ensure that future generations can receive a high-quality education that prepares them for a lifetime of success and opportunities.