Graduate Degree Program
Graduate Degree Program
Welcome to UAF's Master of Applied Linguistics Program
UAF’s MA in Applied Linguistics allows you to specialize in one of two areas: Second Language Acquisition Teacher Education (SLATE) and Language in Society.
Second Language Acquisition Teacher Education (SLATE) provides a theoretical and practical foundation in second language teaching, language teaching, materials development and language assessment.
All graduate students regardless of concentration are required to take LING F600- Research Methods for Applied Linguistics, LING F602- Second Language Acquisition and LING F650- Language Policy and Planning as well as three electives. An additional two courses in the student's chosen concentration is also required.
**Please note, the requirement for LING F601 is discussed on an individual basis during advising.
Further coursework is determined by the student’s choice of concentration and in consultation with their committee. For more information, please contact our program.
Graduate Course Descriptions
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Review of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, data gathering techniques
and analytical tools (questionnaires, surveys, observations, testing) used in the
study of applied linguistics. Topics will include ethical issues in human subjects
research, how to conduct a literature review, how to conduct classroom-based research.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Provides experience in working with various languages to determine systematic principles
of transcribing and organizing sounds; isolating morphemes; categorizing words into
semantic categories; and understanding narrative and other rhetorical structures.
For students whose specialty is other than linguistics who could benefit from a graduate-level
introduction to linguistic methods. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Central issues in second language acquisition research. Includes a critical review
of SLA theories and research. Prerequisites: LING F101 or LING F601; graduate standing;
or permission of instructor. (3+0)
3 Credits
Scientific approach to the study of human speech sounds and the mechanism of their
production (phonetics), as well as the exploration of the fundamental concepts of
the sound systems of languages (phonology) and theories which allow for the analysis
of real language data. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
The study of how meaning is encoded in words in languages of the world. Morphological
and morphophonemic processes, lexical categories, derivation and inflection, productivity,
tense, aspect, mode, case, concord, valence changes, morphological typologies. Similarities
and differences among languages in the grammatical devices used to signal relations
between nouns and verbs, negation, comparison, attribution. Prerequisites: LING F101
or LING F601; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Theory and practice of teaching a second language, including methodological approaches,
second language acquisition theory, materials, and testing. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Exploration/discussion of theoretical perspectives in Second Language curriculum and
materials development. Emphasis on the interconnectivity of materials, syllabus, curriculum
and learning. As a result of this course, students will be able to choose, adapt and
construct a variety of language teaching materials and understand the ramifications
of syllabus and curriculum design. Recommended: LING F601. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Consideration of minority languages, including Alaska Native Languages, in light of
their histories, current status, and factors affecting future maintenance. Stacked
with LING F450. (3+0)
3 Credits
In-depth investigation of linguistic problems in selected languages. Includes phonological,
morphological, syntactic and semantic issues. Students will produce a grammatical
sketch of a chosen language. Prerequisites: LING F318; LING F320; LING F601; or relevant
course work. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Student works as an apprentice to a language teacher or a linguist doing fieldwork.
Maintain a log and a portfolio of work. If teaching, goal would be to develop appropriate
lesson plans and do mentored teaching. If doing fieldwork, goal would be to develop
appropriate materials for teaching. Prerequisites: LING F603; LING F604; ANTH F632
or LING F610. (3+0)
Ready to apply?
Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty in the UAF Linguistics Program are able to offer advanced students the possibility of a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Linguistics.