The MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Chinese offers students an opportunity to study a wide variety of topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Coursework includes the academic study of the language, literature, and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world (including the US) as well as applied linguistics, cultural studies, critical pedagogy, film studies, and translation studies.
The MA in foreign languages with a concentration in French offers students an opportunity to study a variety of topics—from the traditional academic study of the language, literature, and the culture of French to less traditional subjects such as film studies and the Francophone literatures of the Caribbean, Quebec, and Africa.
--The Spanish concentration can be completed FULLY ONLINE--
The MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish offers students an opportunity to study a wide variety of topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Coursework includes the academic study of the language, literature, and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world (including the US) as well as applied linguistics, cultural studies, critical pedagogy, film studies, and Latinx studies.
Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.
The MA in foreign languages with a concentration in French and Spanish allows graduate students to pursue a multilingual path of scholarship and an array of international opportunities. This expanded master’s degree combines the basic requirements of the concentrations in French and Spanish, with additional opportunities for electives and an optional thesis.
Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.
The MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish/Bilingual- Multicultural Education combines courses in Spanish offered in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages with select courses in multicultural education offered by the College of Education and Human Development. This degree prepares individuals to effectively teach Spanish in diverse settings, including second language, heritage language, and mixed classes, as well as multicultural learning contexts. Virginia Licensure is available with additional coursework beyond the degree.
Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.
The Accelerated Master’s Degree program allows Mason’s highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduates to begin graduate study while still completing their BA. This allows them to earn an MA in a reduced amount of time, and at significantly reduced cost. Students accepted to the Accelerated Master’s Degree (BAM) program can complete both degrees with as few as 138 credits!
Students in the Accelerated Master’s degree in Foreign Languages can choose either the concentration in Chinese, Spanish or the concentration in Spanish/Bilingual-Multicultural Education.
The Graduate Certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education is a 15-credit online program that can be taken alone or in conjunction with the MA in Foreign Languages or another Mason graduate degree (and may not require additional credits!). Students develop familiarity with the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy and practice; and social justice-oriented and critical approaches to teaching Spanish. The certificate prepares educators and affiliated professionals to advocate for heritage speakers of Spanish as well as to develop and implement teaching materials, curricula, and pedagogies for Spanish heritage language education.
The concentration in Chinese prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, graduate study in Chinese, and research and professional work in government and private enterprise. Language majors with Chinese concentration are encouraged to complete a minor or, if possible, a second major in another field.
The BA in foreign languages prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level. Many go on to graduate study in language as well as research and professional work in government and private enterprise.
Students chose a concentration in Chinese, French or Spanish.
The concentration in French provides students with the opportunity to study traditional academic fields like language, literature, and the culture of French and less traditional subjects such as film studies and the Francophone literatures of the Caribbean, Quebec, and Africa. This unique combination leads to a well-rounded liberal arts education that allows students to experience the full spectrum of the Francophone world.
The concentration in Spanish provides students with an opportunity to study the Spanish language in the context of the many Spanish-speaking communities across the globe. Students learn about the culture of the Hispanic world and can function as an educated person in any of the 20 Spanish-speaking countries.
The minor in Arabic has an emphasis on developing strong language skills: oral communication and the reading of texts. Students are also introduced to important works of Arabic literature and culture. A minor in Arabic can easily and effectively be combined with majors in other disciplines.
The minor in Chinese offers students the opportunity to study one of the rapidly developing ancient cultures of the world. The emphasis is on developing strong language skills: oral communication and the reading of texts.
The minor in Classical studies gives students an introduction to Classical cultures and broadens their knowledge of the foundations of Western civilization.
The minor in French provides students with the components of a well-rounded education in French: knowledge of the language (through conversation, composition, and grammar) combined with the study of literature and civilization.
The minor in German emphasizes strong language skills: oral communication and the reading of texts. The minor is especially valuable in combination with majors in business, computer science, government and international politics, history, music, philosophy, or another language.
The minor in Italian studies enables students to advance their Italian language skills and to study Italian culture, history, and literature from an interdisciplinary perspective.
The minor in Japanese studies helps students acquire the language skills and cultural understanding to function successfully in social settings and a variety of careers. This minor works well with any major —history, government and international politics, management, and more.
The minor in Korean Studies focuses on the acquisition of Korean linguistic and cultural knowledge from various language and interdisciplinary courses.
A minor in Latin provides students with an understanding of the literature, culture, and intellectual achievements of Roman antiquity. Students acquire the language skills and cultural understanding to function successfully in social settings and a variety of careers.
The minor in Russian provides students with the opportunity to acquire advanced-level skills in the Russian language and to apply these skills to the study of Russian literature and culture. The minor enhances any major, especially those in history, government and international politics, geography, literature, theater, communication, and economics.
The minor in Spanish focuses on developing skill in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish at an advanced level.