College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of Languages, Philosophy and Communication Studies
Description:
The Master of Science in Second Language Teaching (SLT-MS) is an interdisciplinary master’s degree program emphasizing teaching practice, teaching methods, and related topics. The SLT-MS program attracts graduate students who seek training in second language education, bilingual education, dual language immersion, and English as a foreign/second language.
The Master of Science in Second Language Teaching degree prepares graduates for various job and study opportunities, such as college-level academic ESL, community-based ESL, educational administration, university language teaching, international teaching positions, private language schools, K-12 positions, DLI programs, instructional design, and academic publishing. In the past few years, the program has allowed graduates to teach foreign languages in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
For up-to-date information, including application requirements, refer to the SLT-MS web page. For more comprehensive information about program requirements, refer to the Master of Science in Second Language Teaching Graduate Handbook. To apply, go to the graduate school admission page.
The program is currently accepting applications for the online track. More information on the in-person track will be provided at a later date.
Program Requirements
Admitted applicants will be able to choose between several available tracks. Through the Online Master of Science in Second Language Teaching track, all coursework is provided online and asynchronously, providing flexibility for students from any location and with any work schedule. This track prepares students for careers in second language instruction in higher education, readies students to pursue doctoral studies, and provides professional development for current K-12 instructors. Students will take courses on the methodology, theories, and research of second language teaching. Students in this track will choose to complete either an original research project (Plan A) or a teaching portfolio (Plan B). 30 credits
Through the Teaching Licensure track with a Master of Science in Second Language Teaching, students have the ability to earn both a Master of Science degree and take the necessary coursework for secondary teaching licensure (grades 6-12 with a World Languages endorsement). The secondary teaching licensure option will still include five of the core courses in the Master of Science in Second Language Teaching program, which focus on the foundational aspects of foreign/second language education. This track also includes general education courses through the College of Education and Human Services, which focus on general education issues (motivation, classroom management, curricular development, assessment, etc.) as well as key topics in secondary school teaching. This track also gives students the chance to observe and teach classes in a K-12 school setting under the supervision of a mentor. Note that this track has two prerequisites: 1) admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes passing the Utah State Board of Education background check; and 2) passing an Oral Proficiency Interview at the advanced low level (or better), which is administered by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Some requirements for this track require the student to take classes on USU’s Logan campus. This track is Plan B only. 33 credits
Degree Verification
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower; Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
Course Number Acceptability
The Program of Study for a master’s degree must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above.
Matriculation Start Semester
A master’s degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Coursework Validity
Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
Thesis Research Credits
Master’s Plan A students:
The Plan A option requires the preparation and defense of a thesis. Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 credits of thesis research (LING 6970 ) for a Program of Study.
Master’s Plan B students:
A Plan B option requires the production and defense of a paper or project. Students are required to complete a minimum of 3 credits of thesis research (LING 6970 ) with a maximum of 3 thesis research credits applied toward a Program of Study.
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