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2016-2017 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

The program requires a total of 36 credit hours of coursework:

Required Courses (30 credits)

Foundation (9 credits)

Concentration (21 credits)

Culminating Experience (6 credits) Chose one:

Students have two options for their culminating experience in the program: the master's thesis option or the master's Capstone option.

Thesis Option

The master's thesis option is designed to give students experience designing and conducting empirical research. This option is strongly recommended to students planning to pursue doctoral work. Students must take a total of six credit hours of ENG 695 prior to graduation. Preparing a thesis is a multi stage process that involves the following (see M.A.-A.L. program materials for more detail):

  • Forming a Committee: You need to form a thesis committee, comprised of a chair and two additional graduate faculty. If you wish to select a faculty member from outside of the program as chair, you should consult with the program director for prior approval. The outside committee member must have relevant expertise in the thesis topic.
  • Writing a Prospectus: You will write a prospectus for your proposed thesis project.
  • Holding a Prospectus Meeting: After your chair approves your prospectus, you will share it with the committee, prior to holding a meeting, at which you will get feedback. If the prospectus is approved, you begin research; if not, you will need to revise and resubmit.
  • Research & Writing: You will research, write, and revise the thesis, under your chair's supervision.
  • Defending the Thesis: You will defend your thesis to your committee in a meeting that is open to faculty and students. Your committee may require further revision of the thesis as a condition of graduation. Students have 30 days in which to complete the revision, at which time the committee will decide whether to accept the final thesis. No further oral defense is necessary, unless the committee votes no on the final thesis, in which case the student has the option of writing a new thesis or dropping the program.

Prerequisite: Students who choose the thesis option must complete 18 credit hours of coursework prior to registering for ENG 695 thesis credits.

Capstone Option

The master's Capstone option offers students the opportunity to take additional coursework in applied linguistics, and to engage in the kinds of professional activities they will be expected to undertake in the field following graduation. Students who choose the Capstone option for their culminating experience will take the following courses (instead of 6 thesis credits):

  • one 3 credit elective course, to be chosen in consultation with the program director, and
  • ENG 693 - Master's Project (3 credits). In this course, students will design and develop an independent project in applied linguistics, which they will present publicly at a departmental conference.

Prerequisite: Students must complete 27 credits in the program prior to taking ENG 693.

Elective Courses

Other electives to be determined in consultation with graduate advisor

Suggested Program of Study

The program can typically be completed in two academic years by students enrolled full-time. Students who wish to enroll on a part-time basis should consult with the program director to determine a viable plan of study. All students must begin their study in fall semester.

The following is the suggested course sequence for full-time students:

Fall, Year 1 (9 credits)

Winter, Year 1 (9 credits)

Fall, Year 2 (9 credits)

One of the following:

  • Elective 1 elective course, chosen in consultation with advisor (3 credits) OR

Winter, Year 2 (9 credits)

One of the following:

Program Description


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