The CSU Mexico BCLAD Credential Program

The California State University provides a unique credential program designed to prepare teachers to meet the challenges of the contemporary multilingual classroom. The program combines education coursework conducted in California and Mexico with cultural immersion and intensive language study in Mexico. Student who satisfactorily complete the program receive the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with the Bilingual Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) emphasis from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

This special program for elementary (multiple subject) credential students leads to a California teaching credential with the bilingual authorization, the Bilingual Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) emphasis. The program combines coursework in Guadalajara, México, and a participating CSU campus (Sacramento and East Bay). Students take credential courses and do student teaching in both locales.

The program is designed and coordinated by the CSU International Teacher Education Council (ITEC), which includes education faculty from the following CSU campuses: East Bay, Long Beach, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, and San José. A CSU faculty member serves as program director to provide guidance and supervision for the México component of the program, visiting México approximately 5 times during the students’ stay abroad. In addition, there is an on-site program co-coordinator in México who oversees the students’ coursework at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and filed work at local schools.

Unique Highlights

• The CSU Mexico BCLAD Program is the only teaching credential program in the U.S. where you earn a U.S. (California) teaching credential through a study abroad program.

• Students earn regular CSU academic credit for all coursework abroad.

• The CSU Mexico BCLAD Program is sponsored by a consortium of CSU campuses with a commitment to preparing teachers with special expertise in working with English Learners (students learning English as a second language).

• Teachers with the bilingual authorization, BCLAD, are highly sought after by school district because of their special preparation to work with English Learners, and their ability to communicate in Spanish with California’s large Spanish-speaking student population and their families.