M.A. in Modern Languages

The Master of Arts in Modern Languages at the University of Mississippi challenges students to achieve high-proficiency communicative skills, analytical linguistic expertise, and an extensive cultural knowledge. The MA in Modern Languages has emphases available in French, German, Spanish, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics and TESOL, as well as a one-year Graduate Certificate in TESOL. Our small class sizes, engaging academic seminars, and one-on-one professorial contact create a close-knit community among graduate students and faculty. The Master of Arts in Modern Languages develops students’ analytical thinking skills, scholarship, and abilities to succeed in rewarding careers or to enter a doctoral program.

Current M.A. Students

French

German

Spanish

Linguistics

Applied Linguistics + TESOL

Applied Linguistics + TESOL MA Program Requirements
TESOL Faculty
TESOL Courses
Community English as a Second Language (CESL) Program: AL/TESOL students are encouraged to work as teachers and administrators in the CESL Program, which offers weekly classes for family members of international faculty and scholars at the University of Mississippi
Certificate in TESOL: A one year, 18 hour graduate certificate
ESL Endorsement + Program Application: A four course program for K-12 teachers for the Mississippi teaching license

In addition to the course requirements specific to each area of emphasis, students must maintain at least a B average in their course work or be subjected to probation and/or expulsion from the program. Beginning French, German, and Spanish graduate students are required to meet the oral proficiency standards in their language.

M.A. Student Resources:

Beyond Campus:

Teach Mississippi Institute: An alternate route to teacher certification for secondary schools
Mississippi Foreign Languages Association
Modern Language Association
Visit Oxford, Mississippi

M.A. Application and Assistantships

Admission to the M.A. in Modern Languages and the Certificate in TESOL follows the criteria of the Graduate School.

Requirements for Admission for Specialization in French, German, or Spanish:

30 hours of course work in the student’s specialization (French, German, or Spanish)
Or, a total of 30 hours in two or three languages, ancient or modern, provided at least 18 hours are in the major language to be studied
First year language courses in any language and second year language courses in the student’s major language do not satisfy this prerequisite
In extraordinary cases, this prerequisite may be modified

Requirements for Admission for Specialization in Applied Linguistics and TESOL:

30 hours of course work in English, linguistics, or a foreign language
Or, a total of 30 hours in any combination of the above, provided at least 18 hours are in one of these fields
In extraordinary cases, this prerequisite may be modified

Requirements for Admission for Specialization in Linguistics:

30 hours of course work in English, linguistics, or a foreign language
Or, a total of 30 hours in any combination of the above, provided at least 18 hours are in linguistics
In extraordinary cases, this prerequisite may be modified

Requirements for Admission for the Certificate of TESOL:

All requirements for admission to the M.A. with three exceptions:

No prerequisite coursework in English, linguistics, or a foreign language is required
Two letters of recommendation (instead of three)
GRE scores not required

Materials to Submit:

Online application through the Graduate School
Three letters of recommendation
Curriculum vita or résumé
Statement of purpose
Official transcripts from all institutions from which a degree was obtained and from any institution attended for graduate work; junior/community college transcripts are not required
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, summer and fall 2020 applicants for the MA in Spanish, French, and German are not required to submit scores from the GRE exam. Applicants to the MA in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, and TESOL must submit official scores from a recent GRE exam. (Modern Languages does not require a minimum GRE score for admission; rather GRE scores are considered holistically with other application materials listed above.)
If applicable, official scores from a recent TOEFL or IELTS exam (countries exempt from TOEFL examinations). Please note the University of Mississippi’s minimum qualifying scores.
$50 application fee paid to the University of Mississippi Graduate School
For more information, consult the Graduate School website

Deadlines and Assistantships:

Applications are due by March 1st for entry in the Fall semester. Applications will be considered after the deadline on a space-available basis. Spring admission will only be considered under special circumstances, in which case the deadline is October 1st.

The Department of Modern Languages offers the following kinds of financial assistance: the Price Scholarship, Graduate Research Assistantships, and Graduate Instructorships. These assistantships pay a stipend of $5,000 – $5,250 per semester and come with a full waiver of graduate tuition.

All applicants to the M.A. program are considered for an assistantship; there is no separate application for this funding. Applicants are considered only after they have been admitted. Please allow time after completing your application for you to be considered for aid. International students need to apply the earliest in order to complete application and visa requirements.

Additional assistance may be available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Contact Information

M.A. Program Coordinator for French, German, and Spanish:

Dr. Diane Marting
dmarting@olemiss.edu
662-915-7104
Bondurant E-104

M.A. Program Coordinator for Linguistics and TESOL:

Dr. Maria Fionda
mifionda@olemiss.edu
662-872-8164
Bondurant E-205B

Chair of the Department of Modern Languages:

Dr. Daniel O’Sullivan
dosulliv@olemiss.edu
662-915-7298
Bondurant C-115