Program Requirements
The one-year Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics & Second Language Acquisition is a 90-unit program designed to be completed over two semesters. Students in the program will:
- Develop foundational knowledge of current second language acquisition theory and research.
- Apply current theory and research to practice in a broad range of educational contexts (e.g., the classroom, technology-enhanced environments, content and materials development, program administration)
- Design and carry out a small-scale research project inon second language development in instructed and uninstructed contexts.
- Communicate effectively about research findings, student learning outcomes and educational practice and policy in a range of professional settings (e.g., conferences, publications, schools, institutional administration).
- Prepare professional documents in preparation for job searches or PhD applications.
Typically, students begin the program in the fall semester and graduate at the end of the following spring semester. Course requirements are as follows:
Core courses (36 units)
- Second Language Acquisition: Theories and Research (82-783)
- Approaches to Teaching Modern Languages and Cultures (82-793)
- Teaching Apprenticeship (82-794)
- Language Acquisition and Technology (82-888)
Research methods (9 units)
- One second language acquisition research methods course
Currently, the department offers quantitative, qualitative, interaction and research methods courses. Additional research methods courses can count as electives.
Electives (27-36 units)
- At least one additional course in second language acquisition
- At least one cultural studies elective (3xx/7xx or 4xx/8xx course in the language of specialization)
- One to two (1–2) additional open electives in the department, second language acquisition or another course at CMU or the University of Pittsburgh, with approval. Normally, students will complete two electives for this requirement. However, students who are approved to complete the 18–unit mentored research experience instead of the 9–units capstone project (see below) will take only one additional elective.
Capstone research project (9 units)
- Students are required to complete a supervised 9–unit capstone project in their second semester of the program. The focus of this capstone is the practical application of essential knowledge and skills to a pedagogical problem. Projects may include, but are not limited to, small-scale action research in a classroom setting, a portfolio of teaching materials or the creation or creative application of a technology-driven learning tool. Students will choose among offered faculty projects in consultation with the program advisor.
- Alternatively, students who are interested in conducting research in second language acquisition may apply to complete an 18–unit mentored research experience in which they collaborate with a faculty member on an original research study. Typically, the mentored research experience will involve original data analysis (e.g., drawing on an ongoing study conducted by the supervising faculty member) and a write-up of the results/findings of the data analysis. Students may also be involved in the design of a new study and/or original data collection as well as other research-related tasks as appropriate.
Sample Course Distribution
Fall
- 82-783 Second Language Acquisition Theories & Research
- 82-793 Approaches to Teaching Modern Language and Cultures
- SLA Research Methods
- Elective
- Elective
Spring
- 82-794 Teaching Apprenticeship
- 82-888 Language Acquisition & Technology
- Elective
- Elective*
- Capstone Project*
*Students who are approved to complete the 18–unit mentored research experience instead of the 9–unit capstone project will take only one additional elective.