The Master of Arts in Foreign Languages aims to enhance the linguistic and cultural proficiency of students through courses in sociolinguistics and second language acquisition, film studies, cultural studies and literary studies. Students may select from five concentrations: Chinese, French, Spanish, French and Spanish, and Spanish/bilingual-multicultural education. Located only miles from Washington, D.C., students take advantage of the program’s existing relationships with schools, embassies, federal agencies, and international businesses—providing opportunity for internships and other educational experiences outside the classroom.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For specific information, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30-42
Each concentration has a different number of required credits. In all four concentrations, 6 of the total credits may be earned with a thesis. Regardless of the concentration selected, all students must meet the core and distribution requirements given below and demonstrate proficiency through a portfolio or a thesis/capstone project.
Concentration in Chinese (CHIN)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Choose six courses from the following: | 18 | |
| Chinese Linguistics Teaching Methodology | ||
| Topics in Traditional Chinese Literature | ||
| Approaches to Classical/Literary Chinese | ||
| Chinese and Sinophone Cinema | ||
| Topics in Chinese Poetry and Poetics | ||
| Chinese Popular Culture | ||
| Advanced Translation | ||
| Chinese Theatrical Dramas in the 20th Century | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Choose four courses (12 credits) from the following. A maximum of 6 credits of CHIN 797 or 799 may be applied to the degree. | 12 | |
| Capstone Project 1,2 | ||
| Master's Thesis 2 | ||
| Internship in Chinese Studies | ||
| Regional Ethnography | ||
| Methods of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners | ||
| Methods of Teaching in Foreign/World Languages | ||
| Advanced Methods of Teaching Foreign/Second Languages in PK-12 Schools | ||
| Reading/Writing in Foreign/World Languages | ||
| Topics in Regional Folklore Studies | ||
| Theory of Translation | ||
| Basic Issues in Language Pedagogy | ||
| Heritage Language Education | ||
| Geography of China | ||
Other courses in select areas in consultation with advisor 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Capstone project conducted under the supervision of a faculty project director and project evaluation committee. Project should be a substantial contribution to the field.
- 2
Students who do not complete their thesis or capstone research project during one semester of CHIN 797 or CHIN 799 will need to register for additional credits and must maintain continuous enrollment until project is submitted.
- 3
Additional coursework in the following areas can apply to the concentration in consultation with an advisor: anthropology, education, folklore, government, history, literature,linguistics, religion.
Concentration in French (FRN)
18 credits must be in courses with the subject code FREN.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Literature | ||
| Select two courses in literature chosen in consultation with an advisor and cover two different literary periods or Francophone regions. | 6 | |
| French Language and Linguistics | ||
| Select two courses in French language and linguistics chosen in consultation with an advisor. | 6 | |
| French | ||
| Select two additional courses in French literature or language in consultation with an advisor. | 6 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select four electives in consultation with an advisor. A maximum of 6 credits may be used for directed reading and research or thesis. | 12 | |
| Directed Reading and Thesis Research | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Concentration in Spanish (SPN)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses 1 | ||
| SPAN 502 | Hispanic Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 510 | Methods of Literary and Cultural Studies | 3 |
| Latino, Latin American, or Spanish cultures, literatures, or linguistics | ||
| Select any five courses with the SPAN subject code. | 15 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select three electives in consultation with an advisor. 2 | 9 | |
| Directed Reading and Research | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Students must take the core courses within their first 15 credits.
- 2
They can include additional courses in Latin American or Spanish culture, linguistics, or literature, courses with the subject code FRLN, up to 6 credits of courses in related fields, and up to 6 credits of thesis research and writing. Students who do not complete their thesis during one semester of SPAN 799 will need to register for additional credits. Independent studies courses are not available for graduate students of Spanish.
Concentration in Spanish and French (SF)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| French | ||
| Select six required courses (not electives) specified under the concentration in French. | 18 | |
| Latino, Latin American, or Spanish cultures, literatures, or linguistics | ||
| Take the two required core courses specified under the concentration in Spanish, plus four electives with the SPAN subject code. | 18 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select two electives with the FREN, FRLN, and SPAN subject codes. 1 | 6 | |
| Directed Reading and Thesis Research | ||
| Directed Reading and Research | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
Students who elect to complete a thesis may apply 6 credits of 798 and 799 to fulfill this requirement.
Concentration in Spanish/Bilingual-Multicultural Education (SBM)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses 1 | ||
| SPAN 502 | Hispanic Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 510 | Methods of Literary and Cultural Studies | 3 |
| Latino, Latin American or Spanish cultures, literatures, or linguistics | ||
| Select four courses with the SPAN subject code. | 12 | |
| Education Courses | ||
| Select two courses from the following list in consultation with an advisor. | 6 | |
| Child and Adolescent Development in Global Contexts | ||
| Introduction to Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners | ||
| Bilingualism and Language Acquisition Research | ||
| Assessment of Language Learners | ||
| Methods of Teaching in Foreign/World Languages | ||
| Advanced Methods of Teaching Foreign/Second Languages in PK-12 Schools | ||
| Reading/Writing in Foreign/World Languages | ||
| Electives 2 | ||
| Select four electives in consultation with an advisor. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
Students must take the core courses within their first 15 credits.
- 2
Students who elect to complete a thesis may apply 6 credits of 798 and 799 to fulfill this requirement.
Program Outcomes
French
-
Advanced Argumentation Skills
Students will be able to develop and support a critical argument on the literary, linguistic and cultural topic or artifact covered in their coursework. -
Advanced Critical Thinking
Students will be able to critically examine linguistic, literary, and cultural practices of the French and/or Francophone or Hispanic peoples through the (a sophisticated) employment of linguistic, literary, and/or cultural studies theory. -
Advanced Research Skills
Students will be able to read and compare academic articles, or perform modified replications of scholarly studies, and discuss their findings and implications in the field, whether the material is related to literature, language, linguistics or cultural studies. -
Recognition of Multilingual and Multicultural Diversity
Students will be able to recognize of cultural diversity through rich exposure to a range of linguistic phenomena and cultural practices and artifacts. -
Effective Oral Presentation Skills
Students will demonstrate effective oral communication in the target language on topics such as research, pedagogy, and relevant cultural material.
Spanish and Spanish-Bilingual | Multicultural Education
- Advanced Argumentation Skills
Students will be able to develop and support a critical argument on the literary, linguistic and cultural topic or artifact covered in their coursework. - Advanced Critical Thinking
Students will be able to critically examine linguistic, literary, and cultural practices of the French and/or Francophone or Hispanic peoples through the (a sophisticated) employment of linguistic, literary, and/or cultural studies theory. - Advanced Research Skills
Students will be able to read and compare academic articles, or perform modified replications of scholarly studies, and discuss their findings and implications in the field, whether the material is related to literature, language, linguistics or cultural studies. - Recognition of Multilingual and Multicultural Diversity
Students will be able to recognize cultural diversity through rich exposure to a range of linguistic phenomena and cultural practices and artifacts. -
Critical Digital Research Skills
Students will demonstrate a facility with academic approaches to and best practices in incorporating new technologies, including selecting appropriate tools to perform research and present results in academic and professional settings.
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking foreign languages or global affairs with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.
Foreign Languages, MA and Global Affairs, MA Dual Degree
The Department of Foreign Languages and the Global Affairs Program offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Foreign languages MA (concentration in French, Spanish, or Spanish-bilingual/multicultural education) and the Global Affairs MA in a minimum of 48 credits rather than the minimum of 60 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Requirements
Students pursuing a dual master's program linking the Foreign Languages MA with a concentration in French, Spanish, or Spanish bilingual/multicultural education with the Global Affairs MA can share 12 credits between the two programs.
Foreign Languages, BA (Chinese Concentration)/Foreign Languages, Accelerated MA (Chinese Concentration)
Overview
Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Chinese and an MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Chinese in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits.
Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific prerequisites.
Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
500-level CHIN courses
Advanced standing courses may substitute for some or all (up to 12 credits) of the 400-level requirements in the BA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Chinese.
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
Foreign Languages, BA (Spanish Concentration)/Foreign Languages, Accelerated MA (Spanish Concentration)
Overview
Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish and an MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits.
Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
500-level SPAN courses
500-level FRLN courses
Advanced standing courses may substitute for some or all (up to 12 credits) of the 400-level requirements in the BA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish.
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
500-level SPAN courses
500-level FRLN courses
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
Foreign Languages, BA (Spanish Concentration)/Foreign Languages, Accelerated MA (Spanish/Bilingual-Multicultural Education Concentration)
Overview
Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish and an MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish/Bilingual Multicultural Education in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 144 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits.
Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
500-level SPAN courses
500-level FRLN courses
Advanced standing courses may substitute for some or all (up to 12 credits) of the 400-level requirements in the BA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish.
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
500-level SPAN courses
500-level FRLN courses
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.