Program: Linguistics, TESOL/Applied Linguistics Concentration, M.A. - San Diego State University

May 09, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Major Code: 15051) (SIMS Code: Applied TESOL - 114705)

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the Master of Arts degree, as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , the student must complete a graduate program of 31 to 34 units (depending on prior experience) of 500-, 600-, and 700-level courses.

A minimum of 25 units from courses in the Department of Linguistics. A minimum of 16 units must be from 600- or 700-level courses. Note: LING 505 does not count toward unit requirements for the Master of Arts degree in Linguistics.

Advancement to Candidacy

All candidates must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees.

31-34 units

Students in this concentration must take 13 units of required core courses in Linguistics, six (6) units of required core courses in TESOL/Applied Linguistics, six (6) units of prescribed electives, 3-6 units of electives (depending on prior experience), and complete a culminating experience (3 units), choosing either Plan A thesis (LING 799) or Plan B (written comprehensive exam and an additional elective). Students with no prior experience in teaching ESL must take LING 740 (Internship) as an elective. Contact the Graduate Advisor for details.

Required Linguistics Core Courses (13 units)

LING 501 - Fundamentals of Linguistics Units: 3
LING 503 - Functions of Language Units: 3
LING 600 - Professional Development in Linguistics Units: 1
LING 795 - Seminar in Linguistics Units: 3

And one course from the following:

LING 502 - Language in Mind and Society Units: 3
LING 551 - Sociolinguistics Units: 3
LING 552 - Psycholinguistics Units: 3

Note

Note that completion of LING 501 or equivalent is a prerequisite to LING 502 , LING 551 , and LING 552 .

Required TESOL/Applied Linguistics Concentration Core Courses (6 units)

LING 652 - Second Language Acquisition Units: 3
LING 656 - Quantitative Research Methods in Language Studies Units: 3

Prescribed TESOL/Applied Linguistics Concentration Electives (6 units)

LING 650 - Materials Development in Applied Linguistics Units: 3
LING 653 - ESL Reading and Writing Units: 3
LING 655 - English for Specific Purposes and Content-Based Instruction Units: 3
LING 657 - Foundations of Language Assessment Units: 3

Electives (3-6 units)

Students selecting this concentration may enroll in courses in Linguistics (LING) as electives. Elective courses should be selected in consultation with the Graduate Advisor. Students will generally take elective courses from graduate courses in Linguistics; however, with the approval of the Graduate Advisor, a maximum of six units of courses with linguistics content taken in other departments may be accepted for graduate credit in linguistics. Students with no prior experience in teaching ESL must take LING 740 (Internship) as an elective. Contact the Graduate Advisor for details.

Culminating Experience (3 units)

In consultation with the Graduate Advisor, students select one of two options.

Plan A:
Plan A students must select a committee of three faculty members, two of whom are from the Linguistics department, to supervise the thesis.

LING 799A Thesis Units: 3

Plan B:
A written comprehensive examination and an additional elective course (3 units) approved by the Graduate Advisor.