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College
College of Arts and Sciences

Department
Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies

109 Satterfield Hall
Tel: 330-672-2150
E-mail: mcls@kent.edu
Web: www.kent.edu/mcls
 

Description

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in German consists of two concentrations: Literature and Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy.

The concentration in Literature is intended for those who wish to purse a Ph.D. in German Literature and Culture or simply increase their knowledge of German literature and culture along with their command of the German language.

The concentration in Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy is intended primarily for those who are currently teaching in (or wish to teach in) elementary and secondary schools, and for those who wish to increase their effectiveness as teachers.

Students are encouraged to enroll in study-abroad programs (limit 6 hours) and in specialized workshops in advanced language or pedagogy (limit 4 hours). Departmental permission must be obtained before enrolling in such programs.

Admission Requirements

Official transcript(s); goal statement; three letters of recommendation; a CD or MP3/wav file with a 5-10-minute oral sample in both applicant's first and second languages (conversational, not read from a script); and writing sample(s) in applicant's second language, which should be accompanied by a signed declaration that the sample is original work and that the applicant received no help in its preparation. International applicants should also submit a writing sample in English.

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

Graduation Requirements

Concentration in Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy: Students must successfully complete 36 semester hours of coursework and a final project, a portfolio, or a comprehensive examination. Additionally, students will complete an exit oral interview and an exit essay examination in the language in which they are earning their degree. Specific requirements include courses in the student’s second language (12 hours): FR 53213/GER 51212/SPAN 68215; FR 53216/GER 51216/SPAN 58216; and 6 hours of literature and culture/civilization courses.

In addition, students must successfully complete MCLS 50660,* 60601, 60661, and 60698 (12 hours), 9 hours of graduate courses in second language pedagogy, and 3 hours of graduate electives.

Students are encouraged to enroll in study-abroad programs (limit 6 hours) and in specialized workshops in advanced language or pedagogy (limit 4 hours). Departmental permission must be obtained before enrolling in such  programs.

*Students who are already licensed to teach language in Ohio may, with departmental approval, substitute a graduate second-language pedagogy elective for MCLS 50660.

Concentration in Literature: Students must successfully complete 33 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination.

Specific course requirements amount to 12 semester hours and include MCLS 60000 for all candidates; FR 53213/GER 61001/ SPAN 68215 for candidates in the modern languages; students must enroll in the latter of these in their first fall semester. Candidates in French and Spanish must successfully complete at least three additional courses, one in each of the three major literary genres (poetry, drama and prose). Candidates in German must successfully complete at least three additional courses, including GER 51212.

A maximum of 6 semester hours of individual investigation research may be applied toward the degree.

Thesis/ Dissertation

Literature: Students who anticipate enrolling in a Ph.D. program elsewhere after completing the M.A. are urged to write a thesis. Students who write a thesis must successfully complete 27 hours of coursework and pass a modified comprehensive examination.