students working in computer lab

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Completion of 36-hour coursework (typically four semesters), a language requirement and a professional teaching and research portfolio.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus, Online (some courses)

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: July 1
  • Spring: November 15
  • Summer: March 1

Applied Linguistics, M.A.

We are a multifaceted applied linguistics department that focuses on post-secondary/adult language learning, teaching and use.

Our faculty specialize in a number of sub-disciplines, including second language (L2) acquisition, L2 writing, sociolinguistics, language assessment, corpus linguistics, educational technology and L2 teacher education.

Program Highlights

Meet M.A. grad Marcel Daniels, who is working as an English Language Lecturer at the American Language Institute at NYU Shanghai:

Marcel Daniels in front of the American Language Institute at NYU Shanghai

Meet M.A. grad Helen Hobson who is a full-time instructor in the Intensive English Program at Kennesaw State University:

Helen Hobson

Program Details

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Applied Linguistics and English as a Second Language have the following requirements:

  1. A typed statement of professional and academic goals that is at least two to three pages in length.
  2. Three letters of recommendation, preferably from academic references.
  3. For non-native speakers of English, official scores on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) .

Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of course work to earn the M.A. degree in Applied Linguistics. The following courses are required of students in the program and make up 21 of the total number of credits:

https://alsl.gsu.edu/programs/masters/ma-course-descriptions/

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

Many of our graduates teach overseas or in language programs such as Intensive English Programs in major universities in Georgia and other parts of the country. Our students specialize in the following areas of teaching and research:

  • Second language teacher education
  • Second language acquisition theory and practice
  • Classroom-oriented teacher development
  • Structure and use of English
  • Intercultural communication theory and research
  • ESL/EFL materials research and development
  • Sociolinguistics, pragmatics and discourse analysis
  • Corpus linguistics (working with language databases)

Description

Careers

Applied Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field of research and instruction that integrates aspects of fields such as linguistics, English, teacher education, speech communication, psychology, sociology and anthropology into a distinct field focused on issues related to the learning and teaching of a second/foreign language, such as the teaching and learning of English as a second language (ESL).

The faculty of the graduate program are teacher-scholars with national and international reputations in their areas of expertise.

Special Opportunities for Graduate Students include:

  • Working with members of the faculty as research assistants
  • Teaching in the department's Intensive English Program
  • Teaching in the ESL community in Atlanta
  • Assisting in classes taught by ESL professionals
  • Tutoring ESL students at various levels of proficiency
  • Helping to develop social and cultural programming for ESL students
  • Living and studying in a multinational, multicultural urban environment
  • Participating in professional development activities of the international Teachers of
    English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), the American Association
    of Applied Linguists, Georgia TESOL and other professionally relevant organizations.
  • Taking part in study abroad in programs in Argentina or Mexico.

Contacts

Dr. Youjin Kim
Director of Graduate Studies
[email protected]
404-413-5200

Department of Applied Linguistics and ESL
25 Park Pl NE
Room 1500 (15th floor)

College of Arts & Sciences Lockup25 Park Pl NE #2500
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.