Master of Second Language Teaching

Graduate Program

Overview

The Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) is an innovative, interdisciplinary master's degree program with a strong practical emphasis.

It is designed for students desiring additional training at the graduate level in an integrative program combining coursework in the fields of Foreign Language Education, Bilingual/Immersion Education or ESL/EFL Education.

Attainment of the MSLT degree requires the completion of a minimum of 30 credits of coursework, focused on language, literacy and culture. In addition, the program emphasizes teaching methodology, curriculum preparation, materials development, and assessment.

The MSLT does not lead to certification by Utah State Board of Education to teach K-12. Individuals who do not have Utah State Board of Education certification and wish to obtain that credential must contact the College of Education.

You can also earn an ESL Endorsement while completing the MSLT degree. Check the requirements on the Secondary Education page.

WICHE

The MSLT program is approved as a Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). This means that applicants who are officially residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming can attend the MSLT program at Utah’s in-state tuition rates, in effect lowering their tuition cost by two-thirds.

WRGP Application for Non-Resident Tuition Waver

Master's Portfolio

Students develop a Master's Portfolio during their time in the program. The Portfolio contains a comprehensive statement of the candidate's philosophy of second language teaching and learning and how this philosophy will be applied in the professional environment. The Portfolio is defended before the candidate's supervisory committee.

Lackstrom Linguistics Symposium

Each year, the MSLT program hosts the Lackstrom Linguistics Symposium where graduate students are encouraged to present their research alongside linguistics faculty and special keynote speakers.

Research-Focused Education

In the MSLT program, students are required to take the LING 6010 course (Research in Second Language Learning) which equips them with the knowledge and tools to carry out their own research projects. MSLT students are also able to work with faculty members, and these collaborations often lead to co-authored research- or teaching-related projects that are published in academic journals.

Graduate Funding

Students can gain valuable teaching experience as a funded Graduate Instructors for the various language programs in the department while enrolled in the MSLT program.