Department of Languages, Philosophy & Speech Communication

A Look at the
Master of Second Language Teaching

and more

The MSLT is an innovative, interdisciplinary master's degree program with a strong professional organization. It is designed for students desiring additional training at the graduate level in an integrative program combining coursework in the fields of Foreign Language Education, Bilingual Education or ESL/EFL Education.

Attainment of the MSLT degree requires the completion of a minimum of 30 credits of coursework, consisting of a core curriculum of 18 credits with a curricular emphasis is on language, literacy and culture. The professional curriculum of 12 credits addresses teaching methodology, curriculum preparation, materials development, and assessment.

A master's project in the form of a Master's Portfolio developed in a sequence of three courses during the student's time in the program. The Portfolio contains a comprehensive statement of the candidate's philosophy of second language teaching and learning and how this philosophy will be applied in the professional environment. The Portfolio is defended before the candidate's supervisory committee.

The MSLT does not lead to certification by Utah State Board of Education. Individuals who do not have Utah State Board of Education certification and wish to obtain that credential must contact the College of Education.

You can also get an ESL Endorsement while completing the MSLT. Check the requirements on the Secondary Education page.

If you are interested in finding out more about MSLT, please contact:

Graduate Program Director
Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication
0720 Old Main Hill
Utah State University
Logan, Utah 84322-0720
(435) 797-1209
E-mail: modlang@hass.usu.edu
Website: http://lpsc.usu.edu/mslt

MORE ABOUT MASTER OF SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING

WHAT MAKES MSLT INNOVATIVE?

The MSLT program is innovative because of its interdisciplinary, integrative character. It offers students a full-range of professional competencies in language teaching and learning:

The pedagogical integration of language skills
Articulation of language instruction from level to level
How to make language learning appealing
Task- and proficiency-oriented instruction
Standards for instruction and testing
The basis of content-based instruction
Understanding of literacy issues
Utilization of immersion programs
Pedagogy for the elementary age student
A research orientation toward language teaching and learning
Emphasis on the practical and humanistic values of language learning
The teaching of language for special purposes, adult language learners, and the development of academic language skills.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH AN MSLT DEGREE?

Because the MSLT program integrates three fields of second language teaching, an MSLT degree will enhance your opportunities for employment by giving you more versatility than a non-integrated program. An MSLT program graduate could, for instance, serve a school full-time as an ESL specialist and as a foreign language teacher. Because you will be exposed to multiple disciplinary perspectives within second language teaching, the MSLT program will also allow you to participate more widely in the profession of second language teaching than a non-integrated program.

Look at what our graduates are presently doing: MSLT Graduates Today

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM?

Eligibility requirements for the MSLT are simple. If you have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, have a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 3.0, and have passed the general aptitude section of the GRE or MAT with a score in the 40th percentile or higher, you are eligible to apply for admission to the MSLT program. If you are an international applicant, you will also need to pass the TOEFL exam with a score of 550 or better. Teaching certification is not required to be admitted into the program. Students in the MSLT program interested in obtaining state teaching certification need to contact the College of Education.

HOW DO I APPLY?

You apply through the School of Graduate Studies. A description of what needs to be included with your application and an application form to download can be found on the School of Graduate Studies website.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO DO TO RECEIVE AN MSLT?

The MSLT degree is awarded upon successful completion of a core curriculum of 18 credits, a professional curriculum of 12 credits, and defense of a Master's Portfolio. Courses in the core curriculum respond to the program's emphasis areas in language, literacy and culture. Courses in the professional curriculum address teaching methodology, curriculum preparation, materials development, and testing. The Master's Portfolio will include a comprehensive statement of the candidate's philosophy of second language teaching and learning and how this philosophy will be applied in a professional environment. Students should be able to complete the program in 15 months.

IS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?

Awards for financial assistance are made on the basis of the candidate’s academic qualifications, experience, departmental needs and availability of funding. Assistance may come in the form of research assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, tuition waivers and teaching asstantships. Each year there are teaching assistantships available for French, Spanish, and ESL. Some years additional assistantships in Chinese, German, Japanese, or Russian are available.

The application deadline for teaching assistantships with the Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication as well as for certain other fellowships and waivers is February 1st. The application for financial assistance should be submitted at the earliest possible time to ensure that the candidate is considered if previously unanticipated awards become available, even if the submission is past the deadline given below.

Application deadline for financial assistance during the academic year 2008-2009 is February 1, 2008.

Awards will be announced in mid-April, 2008.

Because graduate instructorships and graduate teaching assistantships sometimes become available mid-year and require that the awardee have taken the Teaching Assistants Workshop, it is a good idea to participate in that workshop in August. Contact the School of Graduate Studies for the schedule.

Click here for the Financial Assistance Application Form

Deadlines

Admission application deadlines:

March 15 for Summer Semester

June 15 for Fall Semester

October 15 for Spring Semester

Languages, Philosophy and Speech Communication

~ 0720 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-0720 ~ (435) 797-1209