Language and Learning, Master of Arts

Office: E262 Thompson Hall
(716) 673-3702
Dr. Cindy Bird, Chairperson
Dr. Karen Lillie, Program Coordinator
Email: Karen.lillie@fredonia.edu
Email: LLL@fredonia.edu
Website: http://home.fredonia.edu/coe/lll

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 awarded:

  • TESOL/TEFL
  • Language Policy
  • Bilingualism/Multilingualism
  • Heritage Languages
  • Sociolinguistics

Requirements for Admission to Fredonia's Language and Learning, MA:

NOTE: We are only actively recruiting 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 3.00 or above.
  • Evidence of having taken the GRE with a minimum score of 272 for the combined areas of Verbal and Mathematics.
    • 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:

    • (a) two current (within six months) letters of recommendation which include contact information as the Program Coordinator has the option of contacting anyone who has submitted a letter on your behalf; and
    • (b) official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions (except Fredonia).

Language Proficiency Requirements

  • for Native Speakers of English:
    • A statement of your background and goals in addition to a resume (maximum three pages)
    • A graduate-level 800-1,200 word short essay in English which addresses the following question:  “Describe your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Language and Learning and support your rationale with specific information pertinent to your desired degree.”
    • 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.  Matriculation into the program is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of this requirement.
    • A satisfactory intermediate-level 800-1,200 word short essay in a language other than English (LOTE).  Candidates may be accepted conditionally into the program without the LOTE essay.  Matriculation into the program is contingent upon the satisfactory evaluation of this essay.
  • for Non-Native Speakers of English:
    • A statement of your background and goals in addition to a resume (maximum three pages)
    • A graduate-level 800-1,200 word short essay in English which addresses the following question:  “Describe your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Language and Learning and support your rationale with specific information
    • pertinent to your desired degree.”
    • A graduate level 800-1,200 word short essay in the candidate's native language.  This can be any academic paper (e.g., a paper from a college course).
    • Further stipulations as listed below under “Additional requirements for non-native speakers of English to the program.”

Program Requirements (30 credit hours)

Research Methods (9 credit hours):

EDU 570Using Educational Research to Improve Instruction

3

EDU 660Conducting Educational Research

3

EDU 690Master's Thesis/Project

3-6

Core Courses - as required for specialization; see below (9 credit hours):

EDU 518Second Language Acquisition and Development

3

EDU 565Language and Learning: Psycho- and Sociolinguistic Considerations for Educators of ELL Students

3

or

EDU 568Foundations of Bilingual Education

3

EDU 564Linguistics for ESL Educators

3

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

Specialization Electives (12 credit hours):

Courses that exist in other departments may be approved by Program Coordinator; see far below.

TESOL / TEFL:

EDU 592Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership

3

EDU 519Curriculum Theory for the Second Language Classroom - ESL I

3

EDU 540Content Area English as a Second Language

3

Electives

3

Language Policy:

EDU 592Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership

3

EDU 565Language and Learning: Psycho- and Sociolinguistic Considerations for Educators of ELL Students

3

Electives as advised

Bilingualism / Multilingualism:

EDU 592Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership

3

EDU 565Language and Learning: Psycho- and Sociolinguistic Considerations for Educators of ELL Students

3

EDU 555Methods of Bilingual Education

3

One course in Study Abroad in L2 context (by advisement)

Sociolinguistics:

EDU 592Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership

3

EDU 568Foundations of Bilingual Education

3

Electives as advised

Heritage Languages:

EDU 592Special Topics: Language, Learning, and Leadership

3

EDU 519Curriculum Theory for the Second Language Classroom - ESL I

3

EDU 568Foundations of Bilingual Education

3


Courses Existing in Other Departments Which May Be Considered for Specializations

Using these courses to satisfy a specializations would depend on the specialization and require both approval from Department Chair of the Specific Department and the Program Coordinator. Consult the Program Coordinator.

English:
ENED 554Composition Theory and Practice

3

ENED 665Studies in English Education

3

ENGL 520Graduate Seminar in Literature and Culture

3

Education - C&I or LLL:
EDU 508Teaching Exceptional Learners in Inclusive Settings

3

EDU 529Proactive Approaches to Classroom Management in Inclusive Settings

3

EDU 503Evaluation in the Schools

3

EDU 505The Process of Writing: K-12

3

EDU 506Introduction to Literacy Instruction

3

EDU 539Current Issues and Problems in Education

3

EDU 552Introduction to Literacy Assessment

3

EDU 556Teaching Language Arts in Spanish

3

EDU 614Principles of School Administration and Leadership

3

EDU 620Public School Finance

3

EDU 624Contemporary Problems in School Leadership

3

EDU 579Social Foundations of Literacy

3

EDU 581Japanese Culture and Education

3

Note: Also, for the Bilingualism / Multilingualism and Heritage Languages specializations - any of the required courses for the bilingual extension (CAS-BLE currently in TESOL program).

EDU 581 Japanese Culture and Education is cross-listed with PSY 570.

Psychology:
PSY 510Contemporary Issues in Psychology

3

PSY 546Classroom Expectancy Effects

3

PSY 570Japanese Culture and Education

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.