Dec 04, 2024  
General Catalog 2023-2024 
    
General Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Linguistics - TESOL/SLAT (Second Language Acquisition & Teaching) Option, M.A.


The Department of Linguistics offers an M.A. in Linguistics with an option in General Linguistics and an M.A. in Linguistics with an option in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. At California State University, Fresno, students may also get a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Computational Linguistics or Cognitive Science. Department faculty will assist students in planning such a program. For specific requirements, see Degree Requirements below; for general requirements see Division of Research and Graduate Studies.

The Master of Arts degree program in Linguistics assumes a baccalaureate degree major in an appropriate field and at least three upper-division courses in linguistics as prerequisites. Graduate students are required to complete at least 30 units of courses with a minimum of 21 units of graduate level courses, and to pass a comprehensive examination or complete a thesis.

Graduate Level Writing Competence. Students who are conditionally classified may be required to take the Undergraduate Writing Exam as a condition for classification. California State University, Fresno requires that students have graduate level writing abilities before being advanced to candidacy for the M.A. Students demonstrate these abilities by passing the Qualifying Examination.

Qualifying Examination. The Department of Linguistics requires that students pass a qualifying examination on general linguistics before being advanced to candidacy for the M.A. The examination consists of essay questions on linguistic topics and is given once each semester. A student who does not pass on the first attempt may petition to receive a second opportunity, but this will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances.

(See also Admission to Graduate Standing, Advancement to Candidacy, and Program Requirements.)

Master of Arts Degree Requirements


Students who do not already have a sufficient background in linguistics need to take upper-division linguistics courses to attain classified standing in the department. These include LING 100 , LING 139 , LING 142 , LING 143 , LING 148 , LING 165 , (all students) and LING 141  and LING 171I  (TESOL students).

The graduate program consists of at least 30 units, 21 of which must be 200-level courses. Note the following requirements:

Electives: (3 units)


One additional course is required for TESOL option students selecting the Comprehensive Exam.
All students select one of the following culminating experiences:

  1. Thesis: LING 299A -LING 299B  (6 units)
  2. Comprehensive Exam

Highly recommended electives are LING 151  and LING 145  and LING 165 . Highly recommended electives for TESOL students are LING 132  and LING 148 .

Upon examination of the student’s record other courses will be specified to produce a coherent program.