Master of Arts in Second Language Acquisition, Policy, and Culture (MA)

Graduate Studies  >> College of Liberal Arts  

812-465-1292

Program Objectives

• The Master’s degree offers methodological knowledge and skills to teach foreign languages to English speakers and non-English speakers. 
• It provides professional knowledge that helps to shape public policy on multilingualism and multiculturalism. 
• It offers an embedded certification in Cultural Awareness Training.
  • Cultural awareness training provides the necessary skills to build an effective work force in an increasingly global and diverse business setting. It draws on the fact that a global and multi-faceted workforce offers new perspectives, creative problem solving skills, and innovation in the workplace and the community at large. It gives rising leaders new perspectives on how they view the world in order to create an inclusive and productive work environment. The program accommodates alternative modes of delivery based on company needs, time frames, and the number of participants. Certification programs may be offered on location, on campus, via Skype. Meeting times can be arranged to include weekends and/or evening sessions.
• It offers an embedded certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • TESOL certification offers educational skills in teaching English to speakers of other languages at home and abroad. The duration of the certification program is one month, to be offered in the summer. Participants will receive methodological and theoretical training on second language acquisition and teaching methodologies as well as hand on experiences in the classroom.

Admission Requirements

Unconditional admission into the Master of Arts in Second Language Acquisition, Policy, and Culture will be contingent on the following factors:

• Admission to Graduate Studies
• The Master of Arts in Second Language Acquisition, Policy, and Culture requires applicants hold a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution. Although applicants do not need to hold an undergraduate degree in an area of languages, preference will be given to applicants with an educational background in languages or related academic or professional disciplines.
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• A well-written letter of intent.  The letter of intent will serve as the student’s application letter and writing sample. In this writing sample, the admissions committee will evaluate the student’s potential and ability for graduate-level writing.
• Three positive professional letters of recommendation.
• International students require a score of 79 on the FOEFL iBT test or a score of 550 on the TOEFL PBT test.

Applicants not meeting the criteria for unconditional admittance may be conditionally admitted if space is available. These applicants will receive preference on the basis of GPA and the quality of the letter of intent.

Conditionally admitted individuals can achieve unconditional status following 12 hours of coursework if they hold a graduate 3.0 GPA or higher. All students admitted to the program failing to attain a graduate 3.0 GPA after 12 credit hours will be academically dismissed from the program.