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The job market for those with an M.A. in Second Language Acquisition is growing. Governments as well as private industries in the United States and other countries are making second language learning a priority and investing in programs that teach second languages to others. Teachers and administrators with Master's level training are needed in this field. Students can also use the program as preparation for pursuing a Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition, which will prepare them for the growing number of academic jobs in this area.
To earn the degree, students must complete 30 credits. There will be a track for those interested in eventually earning their Ph.D., and a track for those interested only in the Master's degree. The curriculum is cognitively oriented and the core curriculum covers such areas as psycholinguistics, instructed language learning, second language analysis, and testing.
The program is expected to enroll 5-10 students in the first year, and have a steady state enrollment of 20-30 students. Because the Second Language Acquisition Ph.D. program already exists, and there is no undergraduate program, the department believes that it already has the faculty, courses and infrastructure to administer the program; therefore, no new resources will be required for this new program.
The PCC Committee considered the proposal at its meeting on October 7, 2011. Kira Gor, Director of the Second Language Acquisition program, along with Carol Mossman and Gabriele Strauch of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, presented the proposal to the committee and responded to questions. After discussion, the Committee voted to recommend the proposal.
The Academic Planning Advisory Committee approved the proposal on September 19, 2011. The Graduate PCC Committee approved the proposal on September 28, 2011, and the Graduate Council approved the proposal on October 10, 2011. The Senate PCC Committee approved the proposal on October 7, 2011.
The Senate Committee on Programs, Curricula, and Courses recommends that the Senate approve this new degree program. |
