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International and Second Language Study

Master of Arts in Second Languages

The Master of Arts in Second Languages is a 33 semester-hour program designed to provide graduate academic preparation for individuals interested in foreign languages and English as a second language (ESL) in various settings across the state, the nation, and in international venues.

Click here to see how the Master of Arts in Second Languages Program could be right for you!

The degree consists of two options, the second language acquisition and pedagogy option and the Spanish language option. The two tracks share twelve hours of common courses, teaching methods, research and thesis. The acquisition and pedagogy track engages students in work related to how languages are learned and techniques needed to present languages to others. The Spanish option focuses on the languages, literatures, and cultures of those who speak and write Spanish throughout the world.

Limited assistantships are available on a competitive basis.

For more information about the degree program, email: dcmcalpine@ualr.edu

Admisson Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (at least 24 hours of Spanish or equivalent for the Spanish option)
  • Completed application to the UALR Graduate School
  • 3 letters of reference about academic/professional experience
  • Personal interview with the MASL Graduate Faculty
  • Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 with 3.0 in last 60 hours.
  • GRE score of 600 on verbal and 400 quantitative or MAT score of 413 (previously 55)

Graduation Requirements

  • Completion and oral defense of thesis
  • Comprehensive examination
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0

MASL Graduate Faculty

Tracy Van BishopTracy Van Bishop

Assistant Professor of Spanish
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison
tvbishop@ualr.edu

 Andrew J. Deiser

Associate Professor of Spanish
PhD, Indiana University
ajdeiser@ualr.edu

 Stephanie A. Dhonau

Assistant Professor of Second Language Education
EdD, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
sadhonau@ualr.edu

Erin FinzerErin Finzer
Assistant Professor of Spanish
PhD, University of Kansas
esfinzer@ualr.edu

 Mary Anne Garnett

Professor of French
PhD, University of Wisconsin at Madison
magarnett@ualr.edu

 Alan D. Lytle

Adjunct Assistant Professor of ESL

Director of IELP
EdD, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
adlytle@ualr.edu

 David C. Mcalpine

Professor of Spanish

Director of MASL Program
EdD, University of South Dakota
dcmcalpine@ualr.edu

 Leah Wilkinson

Instructor of Spanish
EdD, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
lxwilkinson@ualr.edu

Updated 1.9.2013