Second Language Teaching SLaT
MA
Application Deadlines
Fall:February 1
Contact Information: 
3086 JFSB
801-422-5199
slatgradsec@byu.edu
Website
Program Requirements: 

The SLaT MA program uniquely prepares students with second language teaching skills that are based on sound teaching theories that build on and go beyond the scientific study of language. This master's program assists second- and foreign-language teachers in improving their professional qualifications in second language pedagogy, research and assessment.  The focus is on teacher preparation providing a skill set suitable for a variety of careers within higher education and second language teaching.  There is an industry need for teachers who are prepared to teach less commonly taught languages; this program helps to satisfy that need. The SLaT program also prepares a foundation for continued study in Ph.D. programs in foreign language education and eventual entry into academia.

Requirements for Degree.

  • Credit hours (33): Master's Thesis Option (699R) - minimum 27 course work hours and 6 thesis hours or Master's Project Option (698R) minimum 30 course work hours and 3 project hours.
  • Required Core Courses: SLaT 601, 602, 603, and 604 (12 credits) plus 3 additional courses from the following: SLaT 610, 611, 612, 613, or 614 (9 credits). 
  • Elective courses (6 credits):
    • 3 credits of a graduate-level language, linguistics, or literature course of the language of emphasis.
    • 3 credits of a graduate-level language-specific course or an additional graduate-level pedagogy course from the required core courses listed above.
  • Examinations: (A) Written comprehensive exam covering student's coursework and reading list. (Students are required to take this exam during the fourth semester of study.) (B) Oral defense of thesis or project.
Admission Requirements: 

Required Tests

GRE (50th percentile or above on verbal and 4 or above on writing) 

TOEFL for international students (TOEFL iBT score of 90 with a minimum score of 24 in speaking and 22 in listening, reading and writing)

ACTFL OPI (Non-native speaker of the language of emphasis must demonstrate target-language proficiency by taking the ACTFL OPI and receiving an OPI rating of advanced Low or Intermediate High depending on language difficulty)

Additional Requirements

  1. Statement of intent
  2. Three letters of recommendation
  3. Resume
  4. Scholarly writing sample in English (10-20 pages)
  5. Successful completion of a language-teaching methodology course prior to the start of the graduate program
Program Outcomes: 


Understand theory and research

Summarize and evaluate major theories, historical trends, and published research regarding second language teaching methodology and approaches.

Apply best teaching practices

Explain and apply principles, practices, and appropriate technology for effectively teaching, planning, and assessing second language and culture learning.

Analyze language and culture

Identify and explain patterns of the target language and culture. as a system and how it is linked to the culture.

Conduct research

Evaluate and design second language research studies, collect and analyze data, and report the findings.

Program Stats

Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students 9
International 3
Female 4
LDS 9
Non-White 2
BYU Undergraduate 4
Three Year Average Test Scores of Admitted Student
GRE Composite Score 306.1
GRE Quantitative Score 149.9
GRE Quantitative Percentile 41.2
GRE Verbal Score 156.1
GRE Verbal Percentile 67.6
GRE Analytical Score 4.1
GRE Analytical Percentile 58.9
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree 2.5
Graduated Per Year 4.4
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year 7.4
Admitted Per Year 5.0
Percent Admitted 67.57
Average GPA 3.67