Language and Learning - M.A. Degree
Department of Education
Office: E268 Thompson Hall
(716) 673-3701
Robert L. Dahlgren, Chairperson
Email: dahlgren@fredonia.edu
The Master of Arts in Language and Learning does not lead to recommendation for teacher certification in New York State. There are five specialization areas from which a student may choose; the selected area will be indicated on the student's transcript when degree is awarded:
- TESOL/TEFL
- Language Policy (not yet open for admissions)
- Bilingualism/Multilingualism
- Heritage Languages (not yet open for admissions)
- Sociolinguistics (not yet open for admissions)
Requirements for Admission to Fredonia's Language and Learning, MA:
NOTE: We are actively recruiting only for the TESOL, Bilingualism/Multilingualism, and Heritage Languages specialization track as of July 16, 2015; however, the admission requirements are the same for all five specialization areas.
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree in an area of arts, science, or education.
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Evidence of having taken the GRE with a minimum score of 272 for the combined areas of Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning as well as submission of a GRE Analytical Writing Score.
- Candidates may be accepted conditionally into the program without the GRE scores.
- International students are allowed one year from the time they arrive in the United States to fulfill this requirement.
- Completed Graduate Application submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies including:
- Three (3) names with current contact information of professional associates who will speak on the candidate's behalf. These names are in lieu of submitting written recommendation letters. The TESOL Program Coordinator has the option of contacting these professional people for a reference.
- Official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions (except Fredonia).
Language Proficiency Requirements
- for Native Speakers of English:
- A graduate-level 800-1,200 word essay in English which addresses the topic: “Describe your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Language and Learning and support your rationale with specific information pertinent to your desired degree.”
- Twelve (12) post-secondary credit hours in a Language Other than English (LOTE), or an approved equivalency, in a single language. Candidates may be accepted conditionally into the program without the LOTE credits fulfilled, but matriculation from the program is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of this requirement.
- for Non-Native Speakers of English:
- A graduate level 800-1,200 word essay in the candidate's native language. This can be any completed academic paper (e.g., a paper from a college course).
Program Requirements:
Research Methods Sequence:
| EDU 570 | Using Educational Research to Improve Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 660 | Conducting Educational Research | 3 |
| EDU 690 | Master's Thesis/Project | 3-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
NOTE:
- EDU 690 is a variable 3-6 credit hour course. Students must complete the course for 3 credit hours to satisfy the degree requirements.
Core Courses required for Specializations:
| EDU 518 | Second Language Acquisition and Development | 3 |
| | | |
| EDU 565 | Language and Learning: Psycho- and Sociolinguistic Considerations for Educators of ELL Students | 3 |
| or | |
| EDU 568 | Foundations of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| | | |
| EDU 564 | Linguistics for ESL Educators | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
NOTE:
- EDU 518 is an on campus course with an online component.
- EDU 565 is the core course taken for the Heritage Language and the Sociolinguistic Specializations
- EDU 568 is the core course taken for the TESOL/TFL, Language Policy, and Bilingualism/Multilingualism Specializations
Electives for Specializations:
TESOL / TEFL:
| EDU 592 | Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 519 | Curriculum Theory for the Second Language Classroom - ESL I | 3 |
| EDU 540 | Content Area English as a Second Language | 3 |
| | Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Language Policy:
| EDU 592 | Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 565 | Language and Learning: Psycho- and Sociolinguistic Considerations for Educators of ELL Students | 3 |
| | Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Bilingualism / Multilingualism:
| EDU 592 | Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 565 | Language and Learning: Psycho- and Sociolinguistic Considerations for Educators of ELL Students | 3 |
| EDU 555 | Methods of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| | One course in Study Abroad in L2 context (by advisement) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Sociolinguistics:
| EDU 592 | Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 568 | Foundations of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| | Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Heritage Languages:
| EDU 592 | Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 519 | Curriculum Theory for the Second Language Classroom - ESL I | 3 |
| EDU 568 | Foundations of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| | Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Courses Existing in Other Departments Which May Be Considered as Electives for Specializations
Using these courses to satisfy a specialization elective depends on the specialization and requires approval from both the Chair of the department housing the course and the TESOL Program Coordinator.
English:
| ENED 554 | Teaching Writing in the Secondary School | 3 |
| ENED 665 | Studies in English Education | 3 |
| ENGL 520 | Graduate Seminar in Literature and Culture | 3 |
INED: Study abroad courses
Open SUNY:
ADE 584: Literacy Skills and the Adult Learner (Buffalo State)
ADE 688: Leadership in Organization (Buffalo State)
EDI 647: Teaching Adolescence Reading, Writing, and Literature (The College at Brockport)
Others as approved.
Psychology:
| PSY 510 | Contemporary Issues in Psychology | 3 |
Education - C&I or LLL:
| EDU 503 | Evaluation in the Schools | 3 |
| EDU 505 | The Process of Writing: K-12 | 3 |
| EDU 506 | Introduction to Literacy Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 508 | Teaching Exceptional Learners in Inclusive Settings | 3 |
| EDU 529 | Proactive Approaches to Classroom Management in Inclusive Settings | 3 |
| EDU 539 | Current Issues and Problems in Education | 3 |
| EDU 552 | Introduction to Literacy Assessment | 3 |
| EDU 556 | Teaching Language Arts in Spanish | 3 |
| EDU 579 | Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| EDU 614 | Principles of School Administration and Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 620 | Public School Finance | 3 |
| EDU 624 | Contemporary Problems in School Leadership | 3 |
NOTE:
- For the Bilingualism / Multilingualism and Heritage Languages specializations, any of the required courses for the bilingual extension (CAS-BLE) may serve as an elective.
Total Credit Hours: 30