Earn a master's degree in language, and you may benefit from a career-changing degree that may inspire your future. Whether you're interested in a career in education, translation, research, or policymaking, a master's degree in language may give you the focused skills you need to pursue your goals. You can gain a new perspective on a field that may have held your interest for years.
How to Earn a Master's Degree in Language
Before you turn in your first application, you should learn more about language education at the graduate level. Learning more about language master's degrees may give you the confidence that you've made the right choice for your educational future.
In the process of learning about the master's degree itself, it's important to research different graduate degrees before you commit to one school. Smart research may help you learn more about the degree itself, expand and explore your options for graduate study, and lead you to a degree program in language that challenges and rewards you in an ideal environment.
Step 1: Choose a Type of Language Master's Degree
No two language master's degree programs are the same, and the differences begin with the type of degree you can earn. Your career goals help determine the degree path you follow. The first step in your master's degree research should be to consider the different types of master's degrees in language you can earn:
- Master of Arts (MA): This broad language degree can be customized with specializations. MA graduates may move into the workforce as K-12 teachers or literacy workers, or go on to earn a doctoral degree in language.
- Master of Science (MS): Generally considered a research degree in the U.S., the MS in language is still academically equivalent to the MA. However, some countries consider the MS degree preferable for employment over the MA. Graduates may go on to teach, research, or pursue more education.
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Some school districts require their teachers to earn an MAT after a certain number of years teaching. A teaching portfolio must generally be completed along with other requirements.
- Master of Education (MEd): Often considered the requirement for administration and supervisory careers in language. Some graduates may go on to teach at the K-12 level, and some school districts require the degree. MEd degree programs can be completed either including or not including eventual teacher certification and licensure.
You may find some overlap between the degree distinctions above. Two teachers hoping to develop literacy programs at their high schools might earn two different types of degrees. Think about what you'd like to do with your degree, including where you'd like to work and if you may consider furthering your education down the road. From there, it should be easier to narrow down the degrees you might pursue down to one or two options.
Step 2: Choose a Language Master's Degree Specialization
After you've begun to focus your language degree options, you can begin thinking about the specializations possible in each major. Though it's possible to earn a broad-based master's degree in language, you should focus your research and attention onto a particular aspect of the field. The following specializations are all possible to earn with a master's degree in language:
- English language and linguistics
- Applied linguistics
- Subject-specific languages (such as French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Russian, and more)
- English/Spanish as a second language
- Language and literacy education
- Initial teacher certification in a world language
The above options are just the beginning of the types of specialties you may choose from as a master's degree student in language. Start to consider the specialization you would claim if you made the commitment to a master's degree in language.
Step 3: Choose an On-Campus or Online Master's Degree
After you've explored the types of majors and specializations you can earn, it's time to think about how you may complete your chosen degree. Because master's degrees in language generally don't require hands-on lab work, many degree programs in the field can be found online. Earn a master's degree online and enjoy a range of benefits, including:
- Log on from anywhere to complete your studies
- Interact with fellow language students across the country and around the world
- Maintain work and family commitments while completing your education
For more information on online degree programs, see WorldWideLearn.com's article "Is Online Learning for You?".
Campus-based master's degree programs in language come with their own benefits, including:
- Access physical libraries and research materials
- Complete hands-on research in lab environments
- Work face-to-face with professors and peers
Your learning style and lifestyle may help dictate the ideal master's degree for you. Whether you choose to earn a master's degree online, attend a traditional campus, or do both with a hybrid degree program, it's important to choose the style that best meets your needs.
Step 4: Make a List of Potential Language Master's Degree Programs
In your search for the best language master's degree, you may have considered different majors, specializations, and education styles. Your next step in the degree research process is to begin compiling a list of specific programs. Use these resources as a starting point for your search:
- WorldWideLearn.com maintains a list of online degree programs in language. Use this database to organize your search and make contact with schools. Also, see the site's campus-based master's degrees in language.
- U.S. News and World Report keeps an updated rankings list of the best English programs in the country. Organize your search by location, and find out which of the top programs are close to you.
- Looking for instruction in an uncommon language? For a list of schools in North America that teach Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs), see the University of Minnesota's searchable database.
Far from a focused list, this step should have you considering only the most basic categories as you create a list of the strongest contenders. You should end with schools that meet your general criteria--they may be in one location or across the country, online-only or a mix of online and campus-based courses. You might have a mix of specializations or one single option; it's all up to you and your preferences as a student.
Step 5: Determine Master's Degree Program Accreditation
This step is one of the most overlooked and important requirements in a college degree search. The accreditation process involves a third-party accrediting agency and each school you're considering for your degree. Third-party agencies look closely at colleges and universities, noting the quality of each institution's faculty, academics, and financial practices, and making their findings known to the public.
An institution's accreditation is one way for them to prove their value to you. If a school is not fully accredited, you may run some risks with your degree:
- The credits you earn may not be accepted by other schools
- Your educational experience may be put into question by hiring managers in academia and industry
- You could be blocked access to federal financial aid while you're in school
It's up to you to confirm a school's accreditation before you commit to a master's degree program in language. Fortunately, it's easy to find the information on schools in the U.S., thanks to the U.S. Department of Education. Browse their searchable database of accredited institutions and search by institution name, location, or accrediting agency. For more information on the accreditation process, see WorldWideLearn.com's Accreditation Answers page.
Step 6: Narrow Down Accredited Master's Degree in Language Programs
At this point, you should have created a list of accredited language master's degree programs. You may have a lot of different options, depending on whether you're choosing an MA, MS, MEd, or MAT, the type of campus-based or online degree you may earn, and what specializations you're looking for. Fortunately, it's simple to find the strongest candidates in your long list. Think about the following categories as you narrow down your list:
- Region: Think about the cultural and community impact of the region in which you may study if you choose to earn a degree on campus. Elements like teaching assistantships, literacy volunteer work, and language-based jobs can differ drastically based on the area in which the school is located.
- Admissions: The most exclusive schools generally also have the most admissions requirements among students. Some language programs require you to submit a statement of purpose, verbal or total scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and letters of recommendation.
- Rankings: Consider rankings like the ones published by U.S. News & World Report. Such status symbols may be viewed highly by other schools and hiring managers, but high-ranked language programs may also come with the highest tuition and the most requirements for admission.
- Funding: Learn about financial aid packages designed for language graduate students. Funding options like grants, teaching stipends, and other financial aid options are designed to entice prospective students in language programs. What's more, accredited schools may team up with the federal government to offer even more financial aid packages.
- Faculty: Look for a well-rounded faculty with current publications, achievements, and conference paper presentations. If you're interested in a language school because of one professor in particular, ask yourself if you would still attend the institution if that professor went on sabbatical, retired, or otherwise left the program.
- Extras: Perks like community volunteer credit, funding for research or conference trips, and other extras are important to your general satisfaction in a language program. Still, these little extras should be the last category you consider when zeroing down your list.
Researching language schools may require time and energy. Zero in on the best schools for you, and you may enjoy the benefits of choosing a school that truly meets your needs. Researching may also help you save time and money on applications, and increase your chances of being accepted into your short list of language graduate degree programs.
Step 7: Apply to Language Master's Degree Programs
When the time comes to apply to your short list of language master's degree programs, it's smart to anticipate the elements you may need in every application. Here are a few common elements of any master's degree application process in language:
- Tests: Graduate Record Exam (GRE) grades are often required by admissions, preferably with a high verbal score. International students may be required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.
- Language skill: If you are enrolling in a subject-specific language degree, you may need to demonstrate proficiency within that language. A phone interview may be scheduled to help determine your fluency.
- Academics: You may be required to have a certain GPA, or a history of academic study in the major or specialization you choose.
- Application materials: Paperwork requirements vary by school, but may involve letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts, statements of intent, and resumes.
Personalize your application materials for every language program. Read school Web sites and think about the personality of every department--one group may appeal more to commuter students, for example, while another may offer more to students who like working in groups. After you have a fuller picture of each environment, you can work to make your application appealing to each potential school.
Sources
- C&I: Language, Culture, and Society The Pennsylvania State University
- English Department: Graduate Studies Purdue University
- Foreign Languages & Literatures Purdue University
- Less Commonly Taught Languages University of Minnesota
- Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies Purdue University
- Search Institutional Accreditation System U.S. Department of Education
- Top English Schools U.S. News and World Report
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