Why pursue a Multicultural Bilingual Certificate?
The Multicultural Bilingual Certificate Program at the University of Arizona offers specialized professional training for students pursuing careers in speech-language pathology and audiology, preparing them to meet the evolving needs of our increasingly diverse communities. This certificate trains students to work effectively with bilingual and multilingual individuals across settings, combining evidence-based practice with cultural and community awareness. Our MBCP program emphasizes that inclusive, respectful service begins with understanding the people and contexts we serve. Students from all language backgrounds and experiences are welcome to apply.
Integrating science, culture, and community to transform practice.
As our communities continue to evolve, so does the need for care that honors language, culture, and lived experience.
More than 1 in 5 people aged 5 and older in the United States speak a language other than English in the home. In communities like ours in Southern Arizona, that number rises to about 25% of the population.
Our Multicultural Bilingual Certificate Program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Graduate students who pursue the Multicultural Bilingual Certificate Program gain practical clinical experience with diverse patient populations, training in working with interpreters, and education on culturally responsive practices, cultural humility, and understanding variety in human communication — key components in improving client engagement and outcomes. By reducing the risk of misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment, clinicians trained in this program play a critical role in addressing systemic inequities in education and healthcare. This specialized certificate not only enhances job market competitiveness, where healthcare settings, schools, and private practices increasingly seek candidates who can meet the needs of diverse communities, but also demonstrates a professional commitment to inclusive, equitable care, and continuous professional development.
The certificate program requires the following graduate coursework (9 units):
1. SLHS 535 (3 units) – Bilingualism, Multiculturalism, and Language Varieties
Covers bilingual language processes, cultural practices, geographical and regional varieties This course takes place in the Spring semester of 2nd year.
2. SLHS 597 (1 unit) – Workshop on Service Delivery for Bilingual Populations and/or Inclusive Clinical Services
Students have opportunities to engage and learn about practical tools in multicultural and multilingual service delivery. Some examples in topics covered include: Using interpreters, writing culturally responsive reports, engaging bilingual families, cultural competence and sensitivity. This class takes place in the Fall semester of 2nd Year.
3. SLHS 558/559 or 658/659 (2 units) - Clinical Practicum
Supervised bilingual/multicultural clinical experiences are prioritized as part of your clinical training program. MCBP students have priority for being placed with bilingual clinical instructors and/or settings which provide ample opportunities to serve a range of bilingual or multicultural communities. This might look like working with a Spanish-speaking preschooler on phonology, conducting a hearing screening with an adult using an interpreter, counseling parents from refugee backgrounds, and more!
4. Elective (3 units) – One appropriate elective course that is addresses areas of student interest and needs. Many students opt to browse through the University of Arizona’s course catalog to find courses of interest in related disciplines, including: Public Health, Psychology, Special Education, Spanish, Educational Psychology, Linguistics, Learning, Reading, and Cultures, and many more!
Some course examples that would satisfy the elective requirement might include:
LRC 504: Foundations of Multicultural Education
SERP 504: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners
SERP 503: Special Services in Schools
SPAN 580: Spanish Phonetics & Phonology
ANTH 595: Language & Culture
LING 555: Sociolinguistics
PHP 564: Science of Health Disparities
Electives should serve as another lens of the development of your skillsets that can apply to your practice (e.g., Spanish phonetics if you want to work with Spanish-speaking families).
*Community Service and Engagement Option for Elective:
Students may also choose to pursue an independent study for 3 units focused on developing skills in community partnership and engagement. This option reflects our deep commitment to serving and learning with the diverse multilingual and multicultural communities of Arizona. Through this experience, students gain hands-on opportunities to contribute to programs that value language, culture, and connection. If you are interested in exploring this option, please email Dr. Arizmendi.
Other classes or independent study experiences may be identified to fulfill the elective requirement. For more information, make an appointment with the MBCP director, Dr. Genesis Arizmendi (genesis@arizona.edu).
VAMOSS and Comm•unity Sessions
Dr. Arizmendi is pleased to introduce VAMOSS and Comm•unity Sessions!
VAMOSS is a Spanish-speaking and practice club within the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences that is led by Dr. Arizmendi's research assistants in the BABEL Lab. Recognizing that language development and proficiency requires regular practice, this club offers a supportive environment for students at all levels to refine their Spanish skills. Whether you’re a fluent speaker or just beginning, we invite you to engage in meaningful conversations and practice, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to strengthen their bilingual abilities and contribute to a more inclusive professional SLHS community. Our goal is to create a supportive, judgment free environment for regular Spanish practice and maintenance, while recognizing our unique cultural-linguistic environment and community that we serve in the Sonoran borderlands!
Comm•unity Sessions a new educational outreach opportunity and initiative under the Multicultural Bilingual Certificate Program. Comm•unity sessions will serve as a platform for learning and accountability, where we will engage with real issues impacting our communities. This is a chance for us to strengthen our commitment to equitable practices in education and clinical care by presenting and discussing topics that matter to our students, faculty, and the populations we serve. These sessions can include presentations and workshops, driven by the needs and requests of our students and faculty, with the goal of creating opportunities for our department to engage in meaningful discussions, explore diverse perspectives, and deepen our understanding of the unique cultural contexts that shape language, learning, and communication. These sessions are open to all students in the department and are not a requirement for students pursuing the certificate. All are invited to participate, contribute ideas, and help shape these sessions into a meaningful resource for our department. Topic requests can be proposed by any students or faculty and can reach out to Dr. Arizmendi for topic requests.
The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination -- in the classroom, the clinical setting, and the workplace. The University of Arizona Office of Institutional Equity provides education and support for these efforts.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information and is committed to maintaining an environment free from sexual harassment and retaliation.