The foreign languages MA aims to enhance the linguistic and cultural proficiency of students through courses in sociolinguistics and second language acquisition, film studies, cultural studies and literary studies. Students may select from four concentrations: French, Spanish, French and Spanish, and Spanish/bilingual-multicultural education. Located only miles from Washington, D.C., students take advantage of the program’s existing relationships with schools, embassies, federal agencies, and international businesses—providing opportunity for internships and other educational experiences outside the classroom.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking foreign languages or global affairs with another discipline should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies regarding Individualized Dual Master's Degree Programs.
Students approved to pursue a dual master's program linking the foreign languages MA with a concentration in French, Spanish, or Spanish bilingual/multicultural education with the global affairs MA can share 12 credits between the two programs. Application to the second master's program should be pursued with consultation of the directors of both programs. Admission to the second master's program will require that the student has met the minimum prerequisites for admissions to the second program.
Total credits: 30-42
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Each concentration has a different number of required credits. In all four concentrations, 6 of the total credits may be earned with a thesis. Regardless of the concentration selected, all students must meet the core and distribution requirements given below and pass a comprehensive exam or write a thesis.
18 credits must be in courses with the subject code FREN.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Literature | ||
| Select two courses in literature chosen in consultation with an advisor and cover two different literary periods or Francophone regions. | 6 | |
| French Language and Linguistics | ||
| Select two courses in French language and linguistics chosen in consultation with an advisor. | 6 | |
| French | ||
| Select two additional courses in French literature or language in consultation with an advisor. | 6 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select four electives in consultation with an advisor. A maximum of 6 credits may be used for directed reading and research or thesis. | 12 | |
| Directed Reading and Thesis Research | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses 1 | ||
| SPAN 502 | Hispanic Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 510 | Methods of Literary and Cultural Studies | 3 |
| Latino, Latin American, or Spanish cultures, literatures, or linguistics | ||
| Select any five courses with the SPAN subject code. | 15 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select three electives in consultation with an advisor. 2 | 9 | |
| Directed Reading and Research | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| 1 | Students must take the core courses within their first 15 credits. |
| 2 | They can include additional courses in Latin American or Spanish culture, linguistics, or literature, courses with the subject code FRLN, up to 6 credits of courses in related fields, and up to 6 credits of thesis research and writing. Students who do not complete their thesis during one semester of SPAN 799 will need to register for additional credits. Independent studies courses are not available for graduate students of Spanish. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| French | ||
| Select six required courses (not electives) specified under the concentration in French. | 18 | |
| Latino, Latin American, or Spanish cultures, literatures, or linguistics | ||
| Take the two required core courses specified under the concentration in Spanish, plus four electives with the SPAN subject code. | 18 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select two electives with the FREN, FRLN, and SPAN subject codes. 1 | 6 | |
| Directed Reading and Thesis Research | ||
| Directed Reading and Research | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| 1 | Students who elect to complete a thesis may apply 6 credits of 798 and 799 to fulfill this requirement. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses 1 | ||
| SPAN 502 | Hispanic Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 510 | Methods of Literary and Cultural Studies | 3 |
| Latino, Latin American or Spanish cultures, literatures, or linguistics | ||
| Select four courses with the SPAN subject code. | 12 | |
| Education Courses | ||
| Select two courses from the following list in consultation with an advisor. | 6 | |
EDUC 511 |
Child and Adolescent Development in Global Contexts | |
EDUC 537 |
Introduction to Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners | |
EDCI 516 |
Bilingualism and Language Acquisition Research | |
EDCI 520 |
Assessment of Language Learners | |
EDCI 560 |
Methods of Teaching in Foreign/World Languages | |
EDCI 684 |
Advanced Methods of Teaching Foreign/Second Languages in PK-12 Schools | |
EDRD 620 |
Reading/Writing in Foreign/World Languages | |
| Electives 2 | ||
| Select four electives in consultation with an advisor. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| 1 | Students must take the core courses within their first 15 credits. |
| 2 | Students who elect to complete a thesis may apply 6 credits of 798 and 799 to fulfill this requirement. |