Program Requirements

Program Requirements - Credit Hours: 33

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 12-hour language tracks, for a total of 27 hours of coursework. a 6-hour research requirement brings the total program hours to 33.

    Note:

    *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 12-hours language tracks:
        Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
          Complete 6 Hours in Electives From the Following:
          Research Requirement

          All candidates complete a 6-hour research requirement. They may either write a thesis and enroll in 6 thesis supervised hours (ENG 799 or LCR 799) or complete 1 degree paper and 6 hours of advisor-approved electives. For non-TESOL track candidates, one of those courses must be LCR 798. 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 a comprehensive examination consisting of two sections, 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 Languages, Cultures, and Religions. A TESOL track candidate whose native language is not English will be considered to have met the language requirement. French and Spanish Track Candidates. French and Spanish track candidates must demonstrate speaking and writing proficiency consistent with the Advanced level on the ACTFL scale by presenting official ratings of at least Advanced Low on the ACTFL OPI and WPT dated within two years of their anticipated graduation date or through successful completion of LCR 735.