Foreign Languages, German Concentration, M.A.T.

Dr. Kari Neely, Program Director
(615) 898-2283
Kari.Neely@mtsu.edu

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers the Master of Arts in Teaching with concentrations in French, German, or Spanish. Also offered is a minor at the graduate level. Students who would like to minor in world languages should determine the requirements based on their major curriculum in consultation with their advisors.

This degree is intended to prepare native and non-native speakers of the world language for a career in world language teaching. Students select a concentration from French, German, or Spanish.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Teaching in Foreign Languages program with a German concentration, applicant must have earned at least 24 semester hours of German. Students may complete up to 6 hours of these as undergraduate hours while concurrently enrolled in the graduate program. Native speakers must consult with the graduate director regarding this requirement.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
submit two letters of reference;
submit official transcripts of all previous college work.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Foreign Languages with a concentration in German requires completion of 36 semester hours (non-thesis option) or 39-48 (thesis option).

Candidate must

complete 36 semester hours (non-thesis) or 39-48 semester hours (thesis) including 24 hours in foreign language courses as listed below; no more than 30 percent of the total degree hours dual-listed as undergraduate/graduate hours can be counted toward the degree;
complete a professional education component approved by the chair of the Educational Leadership Department;
achieve an oral proficiency level in the target language (German) of at least “Advanced” and a written proficiency level of “Advanced High” on the ACTFL scale; students should consult the world languages graduate director for additional information on this requirement;
successfully complete a written comprehensive examination that covers language teaching methods and the language, literature, and culture of the German language (may be taken no more than twice).

Curriculum: Foreign Languages, German

The following illustrates the coursework requirements. In addition, a maximum of 12 hours of thesis research may be required to fulfill degree requirements.

Thesis Option (39-48 hours)

Required Courses (9 hours)

FL 5500 - Introduction to Teaching Foreign Language 3 credit hours
FL 6990 - Internship 3 to 6 credit hours (3 credit hours required)
GERM 6000 - Seminar in German Studies 3 credit hours

Educational Leadership Courses (9 hours)

To be selected in consultation with advisor.

Electives (9 hours)

Electives must be at 5000 or 6000 level in the concentration, or in consultation with the advisor.

Foreign Language Teaching (6 hours)

Choose 6 hours from the following:

FL 6010 - Foreign Language Acquisition: Theory and Practice 3 credit hours
FL 6300 - Teaching Foreign Languages for Proficiency 3 credit hours
FL 6700 - Introduction to Linguistics 3 credit hours
FL 6800 - Instructional Technology in Foreign Language Education 3 credit hours
FL 6900 - Issues in Foreign Language Acquisition 1 to 3 credit hours

Third Language Proficiency or Elective (3 hours)

FREN 5990 , GERM 5990 , LATN 5990 , or SPAN 5920 - can be fulfilled by exam or an elective in consultation with advisor 3 credit hours

Thesis (3-12 hours)

FL 6640 - Thesis Research 1 to 6 credit hours (3 credit hours required)

Non-thesis Option (36 hours)

Required Courses (9 hours)

FL 5500 - Introduction to Teaching Foreign Language 3 credit hours
FL 6990 - Internship 3 to 6 credit hours (3 credit hours required)
FREN 6000 - Seminar in French Studies 3 credit hours

Educational Leadership Courses (9 hours)

To be selected in consultation with advisor.

Electives (9 hours)

Electives must be at 5000 or 6000 level in the concentration, or in consultation with the advisor.

Foreign Language Teaching (6 hours)

Choose 6 hours from the following:

FL 6010 - Foreign Language Acquisition: Theory and Practice 3 credit hours
FL 6300 - Teaching Foreign Languages for Proficiency 3 credit hours
FL 6700 - Introduction to Linguistics 3 credit hours
FL 6800 - Instructional Technology in Foreign Language Education 3 credit hours
FL 6900 - Issues in Foreign Language Acquisition 1 to 3 credit hours

Third Language Proficiency or Elective (3 hours)

FREN 5990 , GERM 5990 , LATN 5990 , or SPAN 5920 - can be fulfilled by exam or an elective in consultation with advisor 3 credit hours

Program Notes

Candidates for the M.A.T. with a major in Foreign Languages and a concentration in either French, German, or Spanish select curriculum that is based on the individual’s preference and need:

for those already licensed to teach in the state of Tennessee;
for those who wish to pursue the degree without teacher licensure in Tennessee.

The foreign language requirement under each option is the same; candidates should consult an advisor in the Educational Leadership Department regarding the courses pertinent to their degree and career goals.