Glossary

Use this search only if you have an exact code for a Program, Stream, or Course, e.g. 3403, ACCTA13502, ACCT1501 or ACCT*.

Applied Linguistics - 8236

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: hal@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 2 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 96

Award(s):

Master of Applied Linguistics

View program information for previous years

Program Description

The program will offer the B stream (1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent) and the A stream (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent). The C stream (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent) will not be offered in 2017.

The Master of Applied Linguistics (MAppLing) is made up of postgraduate courses that extend and deepen students' existing skills, knowledge and understanding in professionally relevant fields of study, as well as teaching advanced skills in research and analytical thinking. It is equally suitable for people wishing to switch to an academic or professional field different from the one they studied at undergraduate level. The MAppLing can serve as a pathway to higher degree research for students who have not completed a four year BA(Honours) with a research component in the relevant area of study.

Linguistics is the study of human language. Its practitioners address questions such as: How do people use language in various situations? What is the biological basis for language? Is language unique to the human species? How and why do languages change? How do children learn language? What is the meaning of 'meaning'? Can machines talk? Linguistics also provides a basis for a variety of practical applications, including the teaching and learning of foreign languages, translating and interpreting, facilitating cross-cultural communication, diagnosing and treating language disorders, providing linguistic support for such professions as law and medicine, developing language curricula in schools, improving literacy skills, generating speech by computer, producing 'plain English' documents, and so on.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

Students studying the Master of Applied Linguistics degree will extend their existing knowledge or update their skills in Applied Linguistics.

Program-level learning outcomes

1. Advanced disciplinary knowledge and practices

A developed understanding of the knowledge base of Applied Linguistics, including contemporary theoretical frameworks and current practice issues in this field
Knowledge of the range of research methodologies relevant to Applied Linguistics and an appreciation of the relationship between research in Applied Linguistics and its practical applications

2. Enquiry-based learning

The skills to engage with knowledge through independent and critical reflection on applied linguistic issues and practices
The skills to generate individual ideas and synthesize these with ideas and insights from existing research
The skills to conduct targeted research using the methodologies employed in Applied Linguistics, and to apply results to existing or new practices in the professional field

3. Cognitive skills and critical thinking

The skills to engage with knowledge through independent and critical reflection on applied linguistic issues and practices
The developed capacity for a reflexive and flexible use of knowledge and experience in arrange of professional contexts
A demonstrated capacity to plan and complete a project using the theoretical basis and research methodologies of Applied Linguistics

4. Communication, adaptive and interactional skills

The skills to interpret research findings in Applied Linguistics and to communicate these concepts to a range of audiences
A high level of personal autonomy and accountability in the acquisition or application of knowledge or skills
An understanding of, and the ability to apply, the principles of teamwork and collaboration

5. Global outlook

Demonstrate an understanding of international perspectives relevant to Applied Linguistics

Career Opportunities

Continue to PhD
Language Consultant
Language Teacher
Language Advisor
Publisher
Curriculum Developer

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements are as follows:

For the 1.5 year stream (B)

Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

For the 1 year stream (A)

Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience

Relevant disciplines include:

Linguistics
Languages
TESOL
Cognitive Science
Speech Pathology
Interpreting and Translation
Health Sciences

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.

* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Credit Transfer

If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. UNSW Arts and Social Sciences will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50% of the stream, that is, up to 24 UOC credit transfer for the 1 year stream and 36 UOC credit transfer for the 1.5 year stream.

Award with Excellence

You are eligible for the award of a degree "with Excellence" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 80 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.