Applied Linguistics (MA) — Degree Requirements

The Applied Linguistics Graduate Program curriculum includes courses in basic theoretical and applied linguistics, together with ESL teaching methodologies, bilingual studies, foreign-language pedagogy, evaluation and assessment, the interdisciplinary areas of psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics, and cross-cultural education. The program combines on-campus classroom work with on-site experience in ESL, bilingual, and foreign classroom settings. The design is sequential, developmental, and comprehensive.

All candidates must complete 30 graduate credits (ten courses) together with a comprehensive examination (to be taken once all course work has been completed). In some cases, the program invites students with a strong academic record and well-developed writing and research skills to write a master’s thesis in lieu of the comprehensive exam.

Course requirements include:

1. Core Requirements (12 credits)

APLING 601 Linguistics

APLING 603 Cross-Cultural Perspectives

APLING 621 Psycholinguistics

APLING 623 Sociolinguistics

2. A concentration of 12 credits, chosen from among the following three options:

ESL Concentration

      APLING 605 Theories and Principles of Language Teaching

      APLING 614 Foundations of Bilingual/Multicultural Education

      APLING 618 Teaching ESL: Methods and Approaches

      APLING 698 Practicum/Field Experience

Bilingual Studies

      APLING 605 Theories and Principles of Language Teaching

      APLING 615 Methods and Materials in Bilingual Education

      APLING 616 Curriculum Development in Bilingual Education

      APLING 698 Practicum/Field Experience

Foreign Language Pedagogy

      APLING 605 Theories and Principles of Language Teaching

      APLING 611 Methods and Materials in Foreign Language Instruction

      APLING 612 Integrating Culture into the Language Curriculum

      APLING 698 Practicum/Field Experience

3. Electives (6 credits): Students have the option to take two courses as electives in related disciplines that complement their specialization in one of the three majors. The program offers more than two dozen elective courses to students in all three tracks. Students from one track may enroll in required courses from another track and count those credits toward their electives. With Program approval, students may also enroll in graduate courses from other UMass departments or transfer up to six credits from other universities. Please note that three courses are cross-listed with English Department offerings: APLING L669, L672, and L673.

Practicum/Field Experience: A supervised, on-site experience in the teaching of bilingual education, ESL, or foreign language. Students must meet with their academic advisor to discuss available practicum options. Students interested in a certification practicum must meet with the certification specialist to discuss options.

Capstone: All students who are degree candidates must either successfully pass a four-hour written comprehensive exam or write a thesis as part of their capstone project.

Teacher Certification

The Applied Linguistics Program offers courses, a pre-practicum, and advising towards Massachusetts Teacher Licensure in English Language Learners. Handouts detailing the licensure process are available outside the Applied Linguistics Office. Licensure is a complex process; therefore, students interested in working toward it while completing their MA, should meet with the department’s licensure specialist as soon as possible.

Bilingual Special Education

Students interested in bilingual special education should matriculate into the Special Education Program, where they can incorporate several applied linguistics courses into that degree program and into a bilingual special education practicum. Further information may be obtained from the graduate program director of the Special Education Program in the Graduate College of Education.