Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures

Graduate Study
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Applied Linguistics - Master of Arts

This program is designed to help meet the national and international need for teachers of English as a second language.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, of the College of Arts and Letters, and of the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts degree program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Applied Linguistics, each applicant must:

  1. include in the application a 500-700 word statement providing the applicants academic background and reasons for pursuing the advanced degree for which application has been made.
  2. have three persons who are qualified to comment on the applicants ability to pursue graduate study forward letters of recommendation to the department.
  3. take one of the tests of English language proficiency described below if the applicants first language is not English.

To be admitted to the program on regular status, an applicant must have:

  1. a baccalaureate degree in English or another language–oriented field.
  2. a cumulative grade–point average of at least 3.25 for the baccalaureate  degree program.

In addition, an international applicant whose first language is not English is required to have fulfilled the university's English language proficiency requirement. For international applicants and applicants whose first language is not English, submit English language test scores, with the test being an approved one from the Michigan State University Graduate School’s list of English language tests for international students.

Students are generally admitted for fall semester only. Spring semester admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Most students complete the program under Plan B (without thesis), although Plan A (with thesis) is also available.  A total of 37 credits is required for the degree under Plan A, and a total of 36 credits is required for the degree under Plan B.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student’s advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
1. English as a Second Language and Second Language Acquisition.
All of the following courses (21 credits):
LLT 807 Language Teaching Methods 3
LLT 808 Assessment for Language Teaching and Research 3
LLT 809 Teaching Second Language Reading and Writing 3
LLT 860 Second Language Acquisition 3
LLT 872 Research Methods for Language Teaching and Foreign/Second Language Learning 3 
LLT 895 English as a Second Language: Classroom Practices 3
LLT 896 Practicum in Teaching English as a Second Language 3
2. The Analysis of Language. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
LLT 822 Interlanguage Analysis 3
LLT 846 English Structures and Functions 3
3. Language in its Social Contexts. One course dealing with language and culture, sociolinguistics, or language socialization and second language acquisition (3 credits).
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. Four credits of LLT 899  Master's Thesis Research.
2. Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.
3. One Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Applied Linguistics related elective (3 credits).
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Two Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Applied Linguistics related electives (6 credits).
2. Pass a final certifying examination.