UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Candidates must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average, preferably in a relevant field of study, such as linguistics, anthropology, English, foreign language, history, political science, psychology, or sociology.
• Submit transcripts from all institutions attended, undergraduate and graduate, where more than six (6) credits were earned.
• Non-native speakers of English must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, or a 6.5 IELTS score.
• Candidates for the ESL and Bilingual Studies concentration may be asked to indicate proficiency in a language other than English at a level equivalent to two years of successful college study.
• Candidates must submit a written statement of at least 1,200 words indicating the reasons for their interest in pursuing a degree in Applied Linguistics. This statement is an important part of the application and is evaluated as evidence of the applicant’s writing ability and familiarity with issues in the field. A discussion of the applicant’s experiences in language study, language teaching/tutoring, travel, or living in other cultural settings is appropriate, as is the discussion of the candidate’s career goals. The applicant may also use the statement to directly address any areas of weakness in their application. The statement should specify the applicant’s intended concentration, whether English as a second language, bilingual studies, or foreign language pedagogy.
• Résumé
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic sources
• Writing sample (optional)

Deadlines: February 1 (priority deadline) and April 1 (final deadline) for fall; October 1 (priority deadline) and November 1 (final deadline) for spring

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students who plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu. Please refer to Graduate Student Financial Aid for more information on financial aid.

Core Courses (15 Credits)

• APLING 601 - Linguistics 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 603 - Language, Culture and Identity 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 605 - Theories and Principles of Language Teaching 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 621 - Understanding Second Language Development 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 623 - Sociolinguistics 3 Credit(s)

Concentration Courses (9 Credits)

Take three courses from one of the concentrations below.

ESL and Bilingual Studies Concentration

• APLING 614 - Foundations of Bilingual Education 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 618 - Teaching Multilingual Learners in the ESL and Bilingual Classroom 3 Credit(s)

• APLING 690 - Field Experience 3 Credit(s)
  OR
• APLING 698 - Practicum 3-6 Credit(s)

Foreign Language Pedagogy Concentration

• APLING 611 - Teaching in World Language Classrooms 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 612 - Intercultural Perspectives in World Languages 3 Credit(s)

• APLING 690 - Field Experience 3 Credit(s)
  OR
• APLING 698 - Practicum 3-6 Credit(s)

Electives (6 Credits)

Complete two additional ApLing courses. Students also have the option to take two courses as electives in related disciplines that complement their specialization.

Practicum and Field Experience

Students working to obtain solely MA degree are required to complete a Field Experience (APLING 690). The MA field experience requirement may be satisfied through teaching language in university undergraduate ESL classes, in a public school system, or at a community agency. The field experience requirement may be waived for students with significant onsite teaching experience (paid teaching, supervised student teaching, supervised teaching in an adult social or educational agency), and substituted with another elective course.

The student-teaching practicum (APLING 698) is required of MA students pursuing Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) PK-12 ESL licensure in addition to their MA degree. The ESL licensure student-teaching practicum cannot be waived. Students working to obtain MA state licensure must student-teach in a PK-12 public school ESL/Sheltered English setting for one full semester.

Licensure in French as a Foreign Language from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Students wishing to pursue licensure from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in French as a foreign language should choose a concentration in Foreign Language Pedagogy and complete the following courses when selecting electives. Students will complete six additional credits of coursework beyond the requirements for the degree.

• APLING 697 - Special Topics in Applied Linguistics 1-6 Credit(s) Topic: French Applied Linguistics
• APLING 698 - Practicum 3-6 Credit(s)

Three of the following:

• FRENCH 464 - Roman Du 20e Siecle 3 Credit(s)
  or
• FRENCH 465 - 20th Century French Theater 3 Credit(s)
  or
• FRENCH 305 - 20th/21st Century French and Francophone Literature 3 Credit(s)
  or
• FRENCH 490 - Special Topics 3 Credit(s) Topic: France/Maghreb

• FRENCH 307 - French and Francophone Popular Culture 3 Credit(s)
  or
• FRENCH 480 - Images of Otherness in French and Francophone Literature 3 Credit(s)
  or
• FRENCH 304 - French Conversation 3 Credit(s)
  or
• FRENCH 306L - Introduction to French Cinema (in French) 3 Credit(s)

• FRENCH 301 - Composition et stylistique 3 Credit(s)
  or
• FRENCH 411 - Theme et version 3 Credit(s)

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Upon completing the MA, students will be able to:

• analyze language as a complex system across structure, meaning, and use
• describe English in relation to other languages and examine language in context
• use empirical and analytical tools to study language use and linguistic variation
• understand major theories of language, communication, and language acquisition and development
• demonstrate understanding of second language acquisition/development theories, debates and research methods
• engage key cognitive, social, cultural, and ideological dimensions of language learning
• demonstrate knowledge of major approaches in English as a Second Language, bilingual, and foreign language education
• design effective, reflective, and context-responsive language and literacy instruction
• use digital and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning
• analyze the relationships among language, culture, identity, and power
• examine how language policy and educational structures shape equity and access
• engage critical pedagogy and critical literacy in diverse educational contexts
• develop as reflective professionals and advocates for socially just language education

Complete 30 credits from ten courses including five core courses, three concentration courses, and two electives.

Concentration: Students must choose a concentration in ESL and bilingual studies or foreign language pedagogy.

Capstone: Successful completion of a four-hour written comprehensive exam after completion of all required coursework. By invitation of faculty, students may complete a thesis for their capstone.

Practicum & Field Experience: Complete either a field experience or practicum.

Students in either concentration may earn their degree online through the Continuing and Professional Studies.

Residency: No more than twelve credits may be transferred in and applied toward the program electives; six credits from non-degree graduate study at UMass Boston and six credits of graduate course work from another institution. All transfer courses must be earned within seven years of program matriculation, have a grade of B or higher, be approved by the graduate program director and Graduate Studies, and not have been used to fulfill requirements for another degree.

Statute of Limitations: Four years.

Applied Linguistics Program
applied.linguistics@umb.edu

SARA Compliance, Disclosure & Dispute Resolution
UMass Boston programs are designed to meet the requirements for licensure or certification in Massachusetts. Please contact your state licensing or certification board to determine whether the program meets the requirements for licensure or certification in other states.