Language Teaching, MA

Program Overview

Students can choose a concentration in Spanish, French, or English as a Second or Other Language and benefit from the program's focus on applied linguistics, assessment, and curriculum design. The program includes hands-on experiences, such as poster presentations and comprehensive examinations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts in Language Teaching (MALT) program at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) is the only graduate program in the region that provides practicing and future teachers of Spanish, French, and English as a second or other language with a rigorous, practically oriented education founded on scholarship specifically in the pedagogy of language teaching.

Objectives:

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply best pedagogical practices in world language and TESOL classrooms.
• Strengthen language education in the region.
• Expand students' familiarity with the latest research on applied linguistics and effective instructional techniques for L2 and heritage learners.
• Enhance students' understanding of the literature and culture of their language of focus.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• The program is available for undergraduate students pursuing the BA degree with Foreign Languages & Literature major with concentrations in Spanish and/or French desiring to pursue an MA in Language Teaching.
• Also available for students pursuing the BA in English with a concentration in Language Studies or students pursuing the TESOL certificate desiring to pursue an MA in Language Teaching.
• Students must have completed no fewer than 60 undergraduate hours.
• Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
• Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
• Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good academic standing.
• Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted to undergraduate status including financial aid.
• Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required.
The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
• Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program.
• The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.
• Students can complete 9 credit hours in the target language (cross-listed courses at the 4000 level).

Course Schedule:

• Required Courses (12 credits):
• Select Two of the Following (6 credits):
• TED 8006 SPECIAL METHODS IN THE CONTENT AREA
• TED 8130 LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
• TED 8180 CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
• TED 8300 EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
• TED 8540 DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
• TED 9200 CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
• Concentration (18 credits):
• Students must select an area of concentration.
See Language Teaching, MA Concentrations.

Total Credits:

36

Assessment:

• Exit Requirements:
• Successful completion of a poster presentation during the Colloquium on Language Teaching (after completing at least nine credit hours in the program or obtaining special permission from their advisor).
• Successful completion of the student's portfolio at the end of the second to the last semester in the program.

Other:

• Fast Track Program: The Department of Foreign Languages and Literature has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame.
With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.
• Note: Completion of the MALT program by itself does not certify you to teach in the Nebraska public school system.
If you are interested in pursuing teacher certification along with your MALT degree, please contact the MALT program’s GPC.
• Cecilia Tocaimaza-Hatch, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
• 301 Arts & Sciences Hall (ASH)
• 402.554.4841