Program requirements (33 - 36 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 15-hour language tracks, for a total of 30 hours of coursework. The course associated with the research requirement brings the total hours for the program to 33. Students writing just 1 degree paper complete an additional 3 hours of advisor-approved coursework (for a total of 36 hours).
Second Language Acquisition Core
All candidates must complete the following 18-hour core:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
ENG 691 OR |
Linguistics Theory OR Principles of Linguistics |
3 hrs |
|
ENG 695 OR |
Principles of Second Language Acquisition OR Principles of Second Language Acquisition |
3 hrs |
|
ENG 700 OR |
Introduction to Research Methods in English OR Research Methods in Second Language Acquisition |
3 hrs |
|
ENG 605 OR |
Methods in TESOL OR Advanced Teaching Methods and Technology |
3 hrs |
|
ENG 696 OR |
Materials and Assessment in TESOL OR Materials and Assessments in Foreign Language Teaching |
3 hrs |
|
ENG 793 OR |
Seminar: Linguistics OR Degree Papers |
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 15-hours language tracks:
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following 6 hours: | ||
| ENG 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| ENG 690 | Grammatical Analysis | 3 hrs |
| Complete 9 hours in electives from the following: | ||
| ENG 793 | Seminar: Linguistics (may be repeated up to 9 hours 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, or rhetoric | 3 hrs |
French
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following 9 hours: | ||
| MCL 724 | Seminar in Linguistics for Foreign Languages | 3 hrs |
| 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: | ||
| ENG 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| FRN 624 | Advanced Topics in Francophone Linguistics | 3 hrs |
| FRN 735 | Advanced French Proficiency | 3 hrs |
| MCL 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teachers | 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 |
| 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
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following 9 hours: | ||
| MCL 724 | Seminar in Linguistics for Foreign Languages | 3 hrs |
| 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: | ||
| ENG 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teaching | 3 hrs |
| MCL 688 | Sociolinguistics for Language Teacher | 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 |
| SPN 610 | Advanced Translation | 3 hrs |
| SPN 624 | Advanced Topics in Hispanic Linguistics | 3 hrs |
| SPN 735 | Advanced Spanish Proficiency | 3 hrs |
| 700-level SPN or MCL course | Any advisor-approved 700-level SPN or MCL course | 3 hrs |
Research Requirement
Candidates have the option of completing a thesis, 2 degree papers, or 1 degree paper and an additional 3 hours of advisor-approved electives. In order to work with a faculty advisor to complete a thesis or degree paper(s), candidates must enroll in a thesis or degree paper supervision course. 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 two written examinations, 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 Modern and Classical Languages. A TESOL track candidate whose native language is not English will be considered to have met the language requirement.
French and Spanish Track Candidates. As noted in the Admission Requirements section above, French and Spanish track candidates must demonstrate speaking and writing proficiency consistent with the Advanced level on the ACTFL scale. If such proficiency is not clearly evidenced, additional proficiency assessments may be administered at the discretion of program faculty.