Program requirements (33 hours)
In consultation with the program director and faculty advisors, all degree candidates complete the 15-hour Second Language Acquisition core and one of the three 12-hour language tracks, for a total of 27 hours of coursework. a 6-hour research requirement brings the total program hours to 33.
Second language acquisition core
All candidates must complete the following 15-hour core:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 691 OR MCL 691 |
Linguistics Theory OR |
3 hrs |
| ENG 695 OR MCL 695 |
Principles of Second Language Acquisition OR |
3 hrs |
| ENG 700 OR MCL 710* |
Introduction to Research Methods in English OR |
3 hrs |
| ENG 605 OR MCL 700* |
Methods in TESOL OR |
3 hrs |
| ENG 696 OR MCL 706* |
Materials and Assessment in TESOL OR |
3 hrs |
*Candidates pursuing the TESOL track are encouraged to enroll in the ENG-coded classes, whereas those pursuing tracks in French or Spanish should enroll in the MCL-coded classes. However, with advisor approval, candidates may take either ENG- or MCL-coded classes in the core regardless of the track. Students seeking the Missouri K-12 ELL endorsement must enroll in the ENG-coded core courses. MCL-coded courses will not count toward ELL certification.
Language Track
All candidates must complete one of the following 12-hours language tracks:
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Complete the following 6 hours:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| ENG 690 | Grammatical Analysis | 3 hrs |
Complete 6 hours in electives from the following:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 793 | Seminar: Linguistics (may be repeated with different topics. | 3 hrs |
| ENG 792 | Linguistics in Rhetoric and Composition | 3 hrs |
| ENG 689 | Studies in Linguistics | 3 hrs |
| 700-level ENG course | Any advisor-approved 700-level English course in literature, composition, rhetoric, foreign language teaching, or literacy and special education. | 3 hrs |
French
Complete the following 6 hours:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FRN 690 | Advanced French Grammar | 3 hrs |
| FRN 725 | Seminar in Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 hrs |
Complete 6 hours in electives from the following:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| FRN 624 | Advanced Topics in Francophone Linguistics | 3 hrs |
| MCL 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| MCL 650 | Advanced Study Abroad | 3-6 hrs |
| MCL 697 | Topics for Teachers of Foreign Languages | 1-6 hrs |
| MCL 701 | Applied Foreign Language Practicum | 1-3 hrs |
| MCL 724 | Seminar in Linguistics for Foreign Languages | 3 hrs |
| RDG 660 | Diversity Issues in Literacy and Content Area Instruction | 2 hrs |
| 700-level FRN or MCL course | Any advisor-approved 700-level FRN or MCL course | 3 hrs |
Spanish
Complete the following 6 hours:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPN 690 | Advanced Spanish Grammar | 3 hrs |
| SPN 725 | Seminar in Hispanic Literature and Culture | 3 hrs |
Complete 6 hours in electives from the following:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| MCL 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| MCL 650 | Advanced Study Abroad | 3-6 hrs |
| MCL 697 | Topics for Teachers of Foreign Languages | 1-6 hrs |
| MCL 701 | Applied Foreign Language Practicum | 1-3 hrs |
| MCL 724 | Seminar in Linguistics for Foreign Languages | 3 hrs |
| SPN 610 | Advanced Translation | 3 hrs |
| SPN 624 | Advanced Topics in Hispanic Linguistics | 3 hrs |
| 700-level SPN or MCL course | Any advisor-approved 700-level SPN or MCL course | 3 hrs |
Research requirement
All candidates complete a 6-hour research requirement. They may either write a thesis and enroll in 6 thesis supervised hours (ENG 799 or MCL 799) or complete 1 degree paper and 6 hours of advisor-approved electives. For non-TESOL track candidates, one of those courses must be MCL 798. Further details regarding the procedures for proposing and writing degree papers are available in the MASLA Student Handbook.
Examination requirement/comprehensive examination
All candidates will take a comprehensive examination consisting of two sections, one focused on issues related to second language acquisition theory and practices and another relating to their chosen language track. Further details regarding the content and format of the comprehensive are available in the MASLA Student Handbook.
Language proficiency requirement
TESOL Track Candidates. TESOL track candidates must provide evidence of intermediate-level proficiency in a language other than English. The language proficiency requirement may be met through one of the following options: (a) completion of 12 hours of undergraduate coursework in a foreign language with at least a C average; (b) completion of the second intermediate foreign language college course with a grade of C or higher; or (c) passing a reading competency test equivalent to the level of the second intermediate foreign language college course administered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures. A TESOL track candidate whose native language is not English will be considered to have met the language requirement.
French and Spanish Track Candidates. French and Spanish track candidates must demonstrate speaking and writing proficiency consistent with the Advanced level on the ACTFL scale by presenting official ratings of at least Advanced Low on the ACTFL OPI and WPT dated within two years of their anticipated graduation date or through successful completion of MCL 735.