Master of Arts in Modern Languages (French)
About This Program
The Master of Arts in Modern Languages (French) is designed to enhance students' competence in the French language and the literature of the French-speaking world. Specific objectives are to prepare students for a career in teaching or in any area in private or public life in which knowledge of a modern language is essential and to help them develop the techniques of independent research necessary for work beyond the master's level.
Competencies
- Upon graduation, students will demonstrate intercultural knowledge and competence (social responsibility, global competence, critical thinking skills).
- Upon graduation, students will demonstrate an understanding of course content knowledge (e.g., linguistics, cultures, literatures, and area/international studies) (disciplinary knowledge, global competence, critical thinking skills).
- Upon graduation, students will be able to design and conduct research projects (research skills, communication skills, critical thinking skills).
- Upon graduation, students will demonstrate an understanding of second language acquisition and effectively apply current language teaching principles (disciplinary knowledge, career preparedness, communication skills, social responsibility).
Admissions Criteria
Those wishing to major in a modern language or literature must upon admission have a baccalaureate degree with a major in that modern language or have a minimum of 18 advanced hours, or the equivalent in language proficiency and course content.
In compliance with HB 1641, the UT Arlington Department of Modern Languages does not use unwritten criteria, it does not assign a specific weight to any one factor being considered in the admissions or competitive fellowship or scholarship process as the sole criterion for consideration or as the primary criterion to end consideration of an applicant to the MA program. The Department's evaluation of candidates for admission to programs is assessed at three levels: Unconditional, Provisional, and Probationary Admission.
The Department wishes to be as thorough and fair as possible in evaluating applicants for admission. It recognizes that some applicants may appear to be stronger according to some criteria than according to other criteria. When an applicant does not completely meet the minimum expectations for Unconditional Admission, the Department considers the applicant for possible Provisional or Probationary Admission. When the applicant is not granted any of the three levels of admission, the decision may be deferred or the application is denied. We do not wish to exclude a qualified and potentially successful candidate who perhaps has approached but not met all the criteria completely. However, we do not wish to admit candidates who, based on the criteria, are deemed to have a poor chance of successfully completing the graduate program.
Unconditional Admission
The criteria for admission below are used, without specific weights, as positive indicators of potential success in the program. All five criteria for unconditional admission must be met in order to receive unconditional admission.
- A degree in the language to be studied of 18 upper-level hours in the language or equivalent.1
- 3.0 undergraduate GPA (last 60 hours).
- 3 letters of recommendation (from faculty if possible) sent to the Department of Modern Languages Graduate Advisor.
- International Students: Submission of English Language Proficiency.2
- A statement of purpose (1-2 pages) in which the applicant effectively explains why they are interested in getting an MA in Modern Languages (French or Spanish and identifies career goals and/or research interests that can be supported by the Department of Modern Languages. The statement must be written in the target language of study.
A student with a bachelor's degree in a field other than French or Spanish may become an unconditionally admitted graduate student after fulfilling the upper-level requirements in the language:
- 18 hours of upper-level Spanish or French, or
- A combination of coursework and testing.
Provisional Admission
An applicant unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.
Deferred Admission
A deferred decision may be granted when a file is incomplete or when a denied decision is not appropriate.
Fellowships
Fellowships, when available, will be awarded on a competitive basis. Nominees for the Graduate School Master's Fellowship in Modern Languages will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Candidates must be new students entering in the fall semester, with a minimum of 6 hours of enrollment in both long semesters to retain their fellowships.
- The minimum undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.0, as calculated by the Graduate School, plus as GPA of 3.0 for any graduate credit hours.
- Transcript of a completed bachelor's degree in French or Spanish (or appropriate related field) from an accredited institution.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A written statement explaining the applicant's reasons for graduate study in Spanish.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistantships are available for graduate students in the Department of Modern Languages. Graduate students who obtain teaching assistantships are urged to take MODL 5305.
- 1
A person with a bachelor's degree in a major other than French or Spanish must have the equivalent of 18 hours of upper-level French or Spanish to become a master's student. The equivalency may take one of the following forms: A student may obtain 18 hours at the 3000 and 4000 level, or they may attempt to test out of nine hours of grammar, composition, and conversation. If a student tests out of grammar, composition, and conversation, they must take nine hours of literature and linguistics, to demonstrate ability to do literary and linguistic studies.
- 2
International students must pass English Language proficiency levels. UTA accepts TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. If your native language is not English, you must demonstrate a sufficient level of skill with the English language to assure success in graduate studies. You are required to submit official test score reports directly from the testing agency unless you hold a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited U.S institution. You are required to submit an official test score report sent directly from the testing agency. UTA's ETS institutional code is 6013. Minimum scores: TOEFL paper-based: 550; TOEFL internet-based: 79 (with sectional scores of 22 writing, 21 speaking, 20 reading, and 16 listening); IELTS: 6.5; Duolingo: 100.
Curriculum
| Foundations (MODL Core) | ||
| MODL 5305 | METHODS OF MODERN LANGUAGE TEACHING | 3 |
| MODL 5307 | TOPICS IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION | 3 |
| MODL 5310 | THEORIES OF LITERATURE AND CULTURE | 3 |
| MODL 5304 | CURRENTS IN EUROPEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURES AND THOUGHT | 3 |
| Select eight additional 5000-level courses in French. | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
A knowledge of a second foreign language is required, including listening, speaking, reading and writing skills as demonstrated by the successful completion of two semesters of coursework at the second-year level, MODL 5301, or by an appropriate examination.
Program Completion
In addition to the Graduate School requirements for Master's degree programs, the following exit requirements apply in the Department of Modern Languages:
Comprehensive Examination
Students specializing in French are examined on their coursework and the MA reading list. An additional oral defense may be required at the discretion of the student's supervising committee.
Portfolio
Students specializing in Spanish develop a portfolio of original research and other special projects under the supervision of a committee of graduate faculty. At least 30 hours must be in coursework.