M.S. in Kinesiology - Sport Administration concentration
The M.S. in Kinesiology with a Sport Administration concentration at Montclair State Un...
M.A. in Applied Linguistics
Montclair, New Jersey
INTAKE: Jan & Sept
Program Overview
The M.A. in Applied Linguistics program at Montclair State University typically requires 31-34 credit hours and can be completed in approximately two years. It offers a unique blend of linguistic theory and its practical application to real-world language challenges. Students delve into areas such as second language acquisition, language teaching (TESL), sociolinguistics, corpus linguistics, and innovative approaches to speech processing. A core component of the program is a mentored research project, where students investigate a language-related issue using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, providing hands-on experience and contributing meaningful insights to the field. The program is designed to be flexible, with evening classes to accommodate working professionals.
AACSB-Accredited: The M.A. in Applied Linguistics program at Montclair State University is not AACSB-accredited. AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation is specific to business programs and business schools. Montclair State University's Feliciano School of Business is AACSB accredited, but this accreditation does not extend to the psychology programs. While applied linguistics involves analytical and systematic study of language, it generally falls under the humanities or social sciences for federal designation purposes. However, Montclair State University does offer a STEM-designated M.S. in Computational Linguistics, which combines linguistics with computer science and is designed for students interested in language technology.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.A. in Applied Linguistics provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of general and applied linguistics. Core courses expose students to major areas within linguistics, such as "Language and Linguistics" (covering language acquisition, phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics). Specialized courses delve into topics like "Forensic Linguistics" (the role of linguistics in law), "Computer-Assisted Language Instruction," "Language Testing and Assessment," "Sociolinguistics" (language in society), "Language Policy and Planning," "Lexicography," and "Discourse Analysis." The program emphasizes equipping students with the analytical and research skills required to investigate linguistic phenomena and apply their knowledge in diverse professional contexts.
Research Focus: The research focus within the M.A. in Applied Linguistics program is strongly geared towards hands-on experience and empirical investigation. All students complete a mentored research project, allowing them to pursue a language-related issue that aligns with their personal interests. The Department of Linguistics at Montclair State University has active research labs, including the CORAL Lab (Corpus Research and Applied Linguistics Lab) and the Experimental Linguistics Laboratory. These labs facilitate research in areas such as linguistic variation in university writing, corpus linguistics for teaching, metaphor comprehension in bilinguals, and psycholinguistics. This active research environment provides students with opportunities to engage in meaningful scholarly work and contribute to the understanding of language phenomena.
Industry Engagement: Montclair State University's M.A. in Applied Linguistics program emphasizes strong industry connections to prepare graduates for diverse career paths. The program's Advisory Board connects students with leaders in the field, facilitating networking opportunities, mentorship, and career guidance. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in various sectors where language plays a central role, including language education (e.g., TESL), educational technology, healthcare (e.g., speech-language pathology support roles, language access), law (e.g., forensic linguistics), media, and publishing. The program also highlights internship opportunities within its research labs, providing practical experience that is valued by employers.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Applied Linguistics program inherently incorporates a global perspective by studying the nature of language across diverse cultures and contexts. Courses often explore topics such as language acquisition in multilingual settings, sociolinguistics of different communities, language policy in nations in transition, and the impact of language contact. The program also examines communication problems faced by bilingual children and various instructional methods for children from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Montclair State University's diverse student body, representing numerous countries, further enriches this global outlook, fostering an environment where students can explore the universal and culturally specific aspects of language use and policies in an interconnected world.
Location
Montclair, New Jersey
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 19916
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 83 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Montclair State University offers a range of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States.
Presidential Scholarships: The university’s prestigious Presidential Scholarships are awarded to top-performing international students demonstrating exceptional academic records and leadership skills. These scholarships provide substantial financial support and are highly competitive.
Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships: Graduate international students have access to departmental scholarships and graduate assistantships. Assistantships may include tuition waivers and stipends in exchange for research or teaching responsibilities, offering both financial aid and valuable professional experience.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Linguistics from Montclair State University provides graduates with a deep understanding of language structure, use, and acquisition, along with strong research and analytical skills. This program, housed within the Department of Linguistics, prepares individuals for diverse roles where expertise in language is crucial, from education and technology to communication and law.
ESL/EFL Instructor or Program Coordinator: Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in the U.S. or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) abroad in various settings, including universities, language schools, or community programs. With an M.A., graduates can also advance to program coordinator or curriculum development roles.
Curriculum Developer (Language/Education): Designing and developing language learning materials, textbooks, online courses, and instructional strategies for diverse learners and educational institutions. This involves applying principles of second language acquisition and pedagogy.
Technical Writer/Editor: Creating clear, concise, and accurate documentation for complex products, software, or services. Applied linguists' understanding of language structure and user needs makes them adept at simplifying complex information for specific audiences.
Lexicographer/Computational Lexicographer: Working on the creation, revision, and maintenance of dictionaries and linguistic databases. This involves analyzing word usage, etymology, and semantic relationships, often with a focus on digital dictionaries and language resources.
Language Assessment Specialist: Designing, developing, and evaluating language proficiency tests for educational institutions, government agencies, or testing organizations. This requires expertise in psychometrics and language testing principles.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA): Working under the supervision of a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist to provide support in diagnostic and treatment services for individuals with communication disorders. While an M.A. in Applied Linguistics doesn't lead directly to SLP licensure, it provides a strong foundation for this supporting role or for pursuing further education in SLP.
Forensic Linguist (Support Role): Applying linguistic principles to legal contexts, such as analyzing language in legal documents, identifying authorship, or interpreting communication in criminal investigations. These roles often exist within law enforcement agencies or as consultants.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) Specialist (Linguistics focus): Contributing to the development of technologies that enable computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. This can involve working on speech recognition, machine translation, sentiment analysis, or chatbots, often in collaboration with computational linguists or computer scientists.
Cross-cultural Communication Specialist/Consultant: Advising businesses or organizations on effective communication strategies for diverse, multicultural audiences. This involves understanding linguistic and cultural nuances to facilitate better international relations, marketing, or employee training.
Editor/Proofreader (Publishing/Media): Ensuring the linguistic quality, clarity, and grammatical correctness of written content for books, magazines, academic journals, or digital media. Applied linguists' keen eye for language detail is highly valued in the publishing industry.
