classestoedu

Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Language

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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

Collapse

Featured School

Search School by Subject

 
Degree / Diploma by Subject:
Program:
 

Corporate

Online Degree Resources

Education Resources

Career Resources