World Languages and Applied Intercultural Studies, M.A.

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences, the Department of World Languages & Cultures has the following requirements:

• An undergraduate degree.
• A complete dossier which must include:
  • A letter of intent expressing the objectives of the student in entering the program;
  • Two letters of recommendation from people familiar with the candidate’s academic work; and
  • A writing sample of an analytical nature in the target language.
• At the discretion of the Graduate Committee, an entrance exam may be required.
  • World Language Reading Exam

Students may choose from one of three concentrations: French and Francophone Studies; Spanish; and World Language and Applied Cultural Studies, wherein they can also take advantage of language and cultural training in Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese and Korean.

Each concentrations has a thesis track and a non-thesis track. In each case, students take a total of 30 credit hours of coursework. In the thesis track, six of these hours are thesis research rather than regular courses. Courses pertinent to the degree may only be repeated if failed or if special topics vary. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in those courses counting toward the MA degree. Only courses passed with a grade of B or higher will count toward the degree.

The Department of World Languages & Cultures recognizes that an active command of world languages and a thorough exploration of related cultures form an essential basis for further study in the various areas of its curriculum. To this end, the department sponsors graduate exchange programs in several different destinations. Students enrolled in the program are also provided with tailored career readiness opportunities through internships and other work collaborations within the vast and diverse cultural communities of the metropolitan Atlanta region.

For complete degree requirements, visit the catalog.

Our Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA-As and GTA-Bs) receive a full tuition waiver. We have two types of Assistantships:

The First Year: A GTA-A is a graduate student with an assistantship who has not yet completed 18 credit hours toward graduation.  As a first-year graduate student, a GTA-A will receive a stipend of up to $3,000 per semester and for up to two consecutive semesters. The stipend is divided into 8 equal payments for a commitment of 12 hours of tutoring per week. GTA-As are expected to complete 18 hours toward graduation in the MA program by the end of three semesters (Summer included) and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to upgrade to GTA-B status.

The Second Year: A GTA-B is a graduate student with an assistantship who has completed 18 credit hours toward graduation and who is eligible to teach language courses during the second year of their MA program. If approved, the stipend will increase to $3,000 per class taught (2 to 3 courses total to be taught in the second year based on program needs). Failure to upgrade to GTA-B status could result in the non-renewal of the assistantship.

The assistantship requires daytime availability to tutor in our language lab the first year and to teach languages courses largely offered between 9:30 am and 3:45pm during the second year.

The World Languages and Applied Intercultural Studies program is intended to give students academic and linguistic instruction coupled with practical experience in the diverse communities of metro Atlanta. Students will have the opportunities to leverage these resources and their skills to construct their own emphasis within and outside the standard curriculum.