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.

Banner Code: LA-MA-FRLN

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)

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 Credits30
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.

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 Credits30

Concentration in Spanish (SPN)

Required Core Courses 1
SPAN 502Hispanic Sociolinguistics3
SPAN 510Methods of Literary and Cultural Studies3
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. 29
Directed Reading and Research
Thesis
Total Credits30
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)

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. 16
Directed Reading and Thesis Research
Directed Reading and Research
Thesis
Thesis
Total Credits42
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)

Required Core Courses 1
SPAN 502Hispanic Sociolinguistics3
SPAN 510Methods of Literary and Cultural Studies3
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 Credits36
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

500-level CHIN 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 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.