Applied Linguistics MA

The Applied Linguistics MA at UMass Boston is designed to prepare students for advanced teaching, research, or administrative roles in linguistics. The curriculum covers theoretical linguistics, applied linguistics, and interdisciplinary areas at the intersection of language, society, and education. Students develop an understanding of linguistic, cultural, and ideological considerations that shape language acquisition and use.

The program is offered both in person and online. Students complete core courses in linguistics, language, culture and identity, theories and principles of language teaching, understanding second language development, and sociolinguistics. They then take concentration courses from the ESL and Bilingual Studies concentration, including foundations of bilingual education, teaching multilingual learners in the ESL and bilingual classroom, and field experience.

Graduates pursue roles in language teaching across university, K-12, and adult education, as well as education administration, curriculum development, international consulting, and language policy analysis. Alumni also work as translators or communication specialists and in areas such as speech recognition, natural language processing, computer mediated language learning, and court translating.

Modules

• APLING 601 - Linguistics 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 603 - Language, Culture and Identity 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 605 - Theories and Principles of Language Teaching 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 621 - Understanding Second Language Development 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 623 - Sociolinguistics 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 614 - Foundations of Bilingual Education 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 618 - Teaching Multilingual Learners in the ESL and Bilingual Classroom 3 Credit(s)
• APLING 690 - Field Experience 3 Credit(s)

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Candidates must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average, preferably in a relevant field of study, such as linguistics, anthropology, English, foreign language, history, political science, psychology, or sociology.
• Submit transcripts from all institutions attended, undergraduate and graduate, where more than six (6) credits were earned.
• Candidates for the ESL and Bilingual Studies concentration may be asked to indicate proficiency in a language other than English at a level equivalent to two years of successful college study.
• Candidates must submit a written statement of at least 1,200 words indicating the reasons for their interest in pursuing a degree in Applied Linguistics. A discussion of the applicant’s experiences in language study, language teaching/tutoring, travel, or living in other cultural settings is appropriate, as is the discussion of the candidate’s career goals. The applicant may also use the statement to directly address any areas of weakness in their application. The statement should specify the applicant’s intended concentration, whether English as a second language, bilingual studies, or foreign language pedagogy.
• Résumé
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic sources
• Writing sample (optional)

• Non-native speakers of English must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, or a 6.5 IELTS score.

• Teachers of English as a second language (ESL) or other world languages
• Translators or communication specialists
• Roles analyzing language policies and their impact on society
• Language teaching (university, K-12, adult education)
• Education administration
• Curriculum development
• International consulting
• Speech recognition
• Natural language processing
• Computer mediated language learning
• Lexicography (dictionaries)
• Court translating
• Multicultural marketing and advertising
• Technical or textbook writing
• Intercultural communications
• Language program coordination
• Language policy analysis