FAQs
Questions about the University of New England
1: Where is the University of New England?2: What is the University of New England?
3: Where can I find out more information about the University of New England?
4: Is UNE recognized around the world?
5: Unit?, degree?, semester? Is there a glossary of terms that your university uses?
What is the MAAL and who is eligible?
6: Who would want to do a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics7: What does the MAAL involve?
8: What are the requirements for entrance?
9: Do I need a linguistics background?
10: I am not a native speaker of English. Can I apply?
11: Do I have to be Australian?
Questions about application and enrollment processes
12: How do I apply?13: How can I get an application package?
14: Can I apply online?
15: What do I need to send for application and registration?
16: The registration form refers to an “exam center code” - what's that?
17: When is the deadline for applications?
Questions about the MAAL degree structure
18: Unit?, degree?, semester? Is there a glossary of terms that your university uses?19: How many credit points and units do I need to complete?
20: What units are available?
21: Which MAAL units are required, and which elective?
22: Is the MAAL best done full-time or part-time?
23: Can I take any units I want?
Questions about research in the MAAL
24: I know this is a coursework Masters degree, but is it possible to do a research project?25: Is there a required thesis?
26: Will UNE's Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) allow me to pursue PhD research?
Questions about residency
27: Are there any residential requirements?28: Can I do the degree from home?
29: Can I come to Armidale?
Questions about costs
30: How do I pay for the units?31: Is it HECS liable?
32: If I’m an Australian citizen overseas, do I still qualify for HECS?
33: What are the total fees for the degree?
34: Can I pay per unit per semester?
35: Is there financial aid?
Questions about graduation
36: Can I participate in graduation ceremonies?37: Once I've completed, can I get a copy of my transcript straight away?
38: Will any reference to the fact this degree is delivered “online” appear on my transcripts or award?
Questions about resources and technology
39: Do I need to purchase textbooks or other materials?40: Is there academic support provided?
41: Is there computer support provided?
42: How do I access online resources?
43: Can I access the library?
44: Do I need a printer?
Questions about credits, advanced standings, and exemptions
45: Can I get advanced standing/exemptions?46: Can I get credit within the MAAL for any units from other Schools or institutions?
47: I have completed a Grad Diploma, am I eligible for advanced standing?
Questions about timing
48: How long does the degree normally take? ?49: Is the MAAL best done full-time or part-time?
50: Can I switch from part-time to full-time or vice versa?
51: Can the program be stopped and started?
52: Are start dates flexible?
53: Are all units offered every semester?
54: Are there classes at scheduled times or do I study at my own rate?
55: Are the semesters at UNE the same as where I am?
Questions about the student experience
56: What is the 'class' experience like?57: What can I expect from the unit coordinator?
58: What kind of assignments can I expect?
59: How many hours per week?
60: Can I read a testimonial by a MAAL student?
Questions about the MAAL as a qualification
61: Is this a TESOL degree?62: Will this degree make me more employable?
63: Does it provide teaching accreditation?
64: Is there a practical component to the degree?
65: Will the MA in Applied Linguistics allow me to pursue PhD research?
Questions about language units within the MAAL
66: Is it possible to study a language as part of the MAAL?
67: Which advanced language units are available?
68: Are language units offered online?
The University of New England is located mid-way between Sydney and Brisbane on the New England Highway in New South Wales, Australia. It is about 2 hours drive inland from the coast.
2: What is the University of New England?
The University of New England (UNE) was established in Armidale, Australia in 1954, but its history goes back to 1938 when it was founded as a College of the University of Sydney. It is the second oldest university in New South Wales. The University faculties include the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics, Business and Law, Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies, and the Faculty of The Sciences.
In addition to being the first Australian university established outside a capital city, UNE was also one of the first universities in Australia to focus on distance education. Today, UNE enrols approximately 12,000 external and 6,000 internal students annually, and holds a well-earned reputation as one of Australia's great teaching, training, and research universities, with graduates across Australia and around the world.
The University of New England enjoys an excellent reputation, and consistently rates at the top of Australian universities in The Good Universities Guide for staff qualifications and graduate satisfaction.
You can learn more about UNE from http://www.une.edu.au/uneweb/discover.php.
3: Where can I find out more information about the University of New England?
For more information on the University of New England, please visit the university's homepage at http://www.une.edu.au.
For information on online programs at UNE and current unit offerings, visit http://online.une.edu.au and http://online.une.edu.au/info/public/.
4: Is UNE recognized around the world?
Australian Universities are all (except for the Australian National University) formed originally through Acts of State Parliament. They are formally self-accrediting institutions, which means they design and ‘accredit’ or approve their own courses leading to the different types of awards such as a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. They are funded by the Federal Australian Government and are very tightly regulated by them through the Department of Education, Science and Training. UNE meets all the standards and requirements of DEST, and it enjoys an excellent reputation in Australia and overseas.
UNE also underwent independent accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of the US-based Distance Education and Training Council (DETC http://www.une.edu.au/uneweb/detc.htm)
The MAAL degree was fully accredited by DETC in 2004. Among other things, this means that those Americans who serve as military or public service personnel and qualify for Government support of their higher education, can get automatic financial assistance with MAAL fees. Other American citizens can apply for financial support to undertake courses at universities outside the US which have ‘Title IV status’.
Despite meeting the DETC requirements and being fully accredited, UNE cannot get ‘Title IV status’ for the rather arbitrary reason that we have more than 50% of our students studying off-campus. We think this is a real shame – but we’ve been unable to persuade the people who control the ‘Title IV status’ otherwise. For this reason we have cancelled our subscription with DETC, and if you now go the DETC website, you’ll find that the University of New England is no longer listed there. MAAL students can rest assured that MAAL units fully met their accreditation standards, but that UNE chose to de-subscribe for these other reasons.
5: Unit?, degree?, semester? Is there a glossary of terms that your university uses?
Confusing, isn't it!
unit: At UNE a unit is worth 6 credit points and is considered to be 150 hrs work. A full time load would be 4 units in each semester, or 8 units in a whole year. Each unit has a code and a name (eg. LING450 The Design of Language). A UNE unit corresponds to what is often called a 'course' in Northern America.
degree: At UNE a degree is an entire program that you will complete and graduate from, such as a Bachelors degree, or a Masters degree, or a PhD degree. For example, the Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) is a degree worth 48 credit points, so you must complete 8 units to fulfill the requirements of the degree. We use 'degree', but the terms 'course' and 'award' amount to the same thing.
semester: At UNE the year is divided into two teaching periods (Feb-June and July-Nov). These are known as '1st semester' and '2nd semester' respectively. Some parts of the university also offer a third 'summer break' semester' (Dec-Feb), but this is not relevant to the MAAL.
subject: At UNE a subject refers to a general area of study, such as Linguistics or Philosophy.
school: Academics teaching particular subjects are grouped into Schools. For example, Linguistics belongs to the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences.
faculty: Schools are grouped into Faculties. For example, the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences belongs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. There are two Faculties at UNE. The term 'faculty' refers to teaching staff in some parts of the world - but this is not the Australian convention.
6: Who would want to do a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics?
The MA in Applied Linguistics (MAAL) is a popular degree at many universities in Australia and other countries for professionals in the fields such as education, language education and planning, TESOL, government, and the health and legal professions. The MA in Applied Linguistics will appeal both to those who do not have a background in Linguistics, but who wish to obtain a professionally relevant higher qualification, as well as to those considering post-graduate careers in the growing fields of Applied Linguistics and TESOL. This degree may also be of interest to those working with linguistic or cultural minorities.
7: What does the MAAL involve ?
The degree consists of 48 credit points of 400-level coursework, drawn from core and elective units. For a complete list of available core and elective units, cf. question 20. All units are 6 credit points, with the exception of LING490 (12 credit points).
In addition, it is possible to include up to two 400 level advanced language units (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Indonesian and Japanese) in the MAAL, with the permission of the degree coordinator. Note: Some language units (and EDLA419) may be offered in regular distance education mode only (hardcopy, not online).
See the School of Arts for further details on language units at 400 level.
8: What are the requirements for entrance?
The basic requirement for entrance is an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelors degree, from a recognized university.
9: Do I need a linguistics background?
No, you do not need a linguistics background. If you have one, of course that is fine. But the structure of introductory units, followed by advanced units, assumes no real background in the discipline area.
10: I am not a native speaker of English. Can I apply?
Yes, you can. However you have to show evidence of English proficiency with TOEFL (550) or IELTS (overall 6; subtests: 5.5) unless your degree was completed at an English language institution.
11: Do I have to be Australian?
No, we welcome applicants from all around the world. However please note that international students do pay different fees (for more information on fees, cf. question 33).
If you are an Australian student, please contact the UNE Student Centre, or if you are an international student please contact the International Office: E-mail: international@une.edu.au for further information.
There are two (2) steps in applying for admission to the MA in Applied Linguistics:
1) complete the online admissions form:
If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen: please fill in the application form at
http://www.une.edu.au/lcl/maal/online-application.php .
When you click on 'Submit' the form will be sent to the Student Centre. You will receive an automated response telling you that the form has been received, along with an estimate of the time when you will be notified of the result of your application. Once your application is approved, you will receive an enrolment package by hard copy mail which contains all the information you need.
If you are an International student (ie. Non-Australian/New Zealand citizen): please fill in the application form at http://www.une.edu.au/imp/admissions/form.php3.
When you click on 'Submit' the form will be sent to the International Office. You will receive an automated response telling you that the form has been received, along with an estimate of the time when you will be notified of the result of your application. Once your application is approved, you will receive an enrolment package by hard copy mail which contains all the information you need.
2) If you meet the qualifying criteria, you will receive a letter of offer of admission to the program and a registration form. On the registration form you select which units (or courses) you wish to enrol in. As part of the registration process you will be asked to provide relevant documentation, such as transcripts of your prior degree, or (if necessary) documents which indicate your language proficiency.
13: How can I get an application package?
The simplest way to apply is to use the online form, for detailed information cf. question 12.
However if you'd like more information or to have an application form mailed to you, please contact the UNE Student Centre.
Yes – there is an online application form, for detailed information cf. question 12.
15: What do I need to send for application and registration?
If you complete the online application form (cf. question 12) and are accepted, you will need to provide transcripts and other indicated documents as requested in your offer letter. Please contact the UNE Student Centre, for more information.
16: The registration form refers to an “exam center code” - what's that?
There are no formal exams in our Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics). This code is irrelevant to us, so just leave this blank or write n/a.
17: When is the deadline for applications?
Applications can be submitted at any time. However in order to have completed the registration and enrolment process in time for a particular semester, these deadlines apply:
- For 1st Semester (Feb-June) you need to apply by November 30.
- For 2nd Semester (July-Nov) you need to apply by May 31.
The UNE Student Centre will still try and process late applications - so it might be worth trying if you've just missed out, but we can make no promises.
18: Unit?, degree?, semester? Is there a glossary of terms that your university uses?
Confusing, isn't it!
unit: At UNE a unit is worth 6 credit points and is considered to be 150 hrs work. A full time load would be 4 units in each semester, or 8 units in a whole year. Each unit has a code and a name (eg. LING450 The Design of Language). A UNE unit corresponds to what is often called a 'course' in Northern America.
degree: At UNE a degree is an entire program that you will complete and graduate from, such as a Bachelors degree, or a Masters degree, or a PhD degree. For example, the Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) is a degree worth 48 credit points, so you must complete 8 units to fulfill the requirements of the degree. We use 'degree', but the terms 'course' and 'award' amount to the same thing.
semester: At UNE the year is divided into two teaching periods (Feb-June and July-Nov). These are known as '1st semester' and '2nd semester' respectively. Some parts of the university also offer a third 'summer break' semester' (Dec-Feb), but this is not relevant to the MAAL.
subject: At UNE a subject refers to a general area of study, such as Linguistics or Philosophy.
school: Academics teaching particular subjects are grouped into Schools. For example, Linguistics belongs to the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences.
faculty: Schools are grouped into Faculties. For example, the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences belongs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. There are two Faculties at UNE. The term 'faculty' refers to teaching staff in some parts of the world - but this is not the Australian convention.
19: How many credit points and units do I need to complete?
UNE's Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) requires completion of 48 credit points to satisfy the requirement of the degree. This is normally 8 units at 6 credit points each.
There are 4 core units (Group 1, each worth 6 credit points):
- LING450 The Design of Language
- LING451 Issues in Applied Linguistics
- LING452 Intercultural Communication
- LING453 The English Language
- LING460 Analysing Syntax
- LING461 Research methods and Methodologies
- LING462 Second Language Acquisition: Theory
- EDLA423 Second Language Acquisition: Applications
- EDLA419 English as a World language: challenges for NESB students and their teachers
- LING463 Bilingualism, Education and Society
- LING464 First Language Acquisition
- LING465 Applied Phonology
- LING466 Australia's Indigenous Languages
- LING467 Applied Phonetics
- LING468 Formal Phonology
- LING490 Research Topic in Applied Linguistics
21: Which MAAL units are required, and which elective?
The Group 1 units listed in question 20 are required (or ‘core’) and are either pre-requisite or co-requisite to Group 2 units. Normally, students will complete all four Group 1 units (e.g., 24 credit points) as part of their degree. Group 2 units are ‘electives’ so students will usually choose four units (e.g., 24 credit points) from these options.
Ideally, you would complete the Group 1 units before you enrol in the Group 2 units. This is possible if you are studying part-time, but not if you are studying full time. For this reason we have made most Group 1 units as co-requisites - so you can take them at the same time.
22: Is the MAAL best done full-time or part-time?
In Australia normally 4 units (24 credit points) per semester is a full time load, and 2 units per semester (12 credit points) is a halftime load. However the Australian government allows a minimum of 3 units (18 credit points) as full time in order to qualify for financial support. If you are fitting your Masters studies around work commitments, and want maximum choice of units, then we recommend that you do the MAAL part-time. If you want to take it full time, that is quite possible, but you'll have less choice available to you. It is not possible to take more than 4 units in any single semester.
23: Can I take any units I want?
There are some constraints. Unless you have an exemption, you must do all 4 core units (Group 1, cf. question 20). For the research unit (LING490) and advanced language units, you need the permission of the MAAL Coordinator. Beyond that, you can choose whichever Group 2 units you like.
24: I know this is a coursework Masters degree, but is it possible to do a research project?
Yes, we offer a 12 credit point research unit called LING490 Special Research Unit. Most students choose only coursework units. However once you have established a good track record, and completed the prerequisite LING461 Research Methods and Methodologies, and have a research proposal in mind, then you can apply to the MAAL Coordinator for permission to enrol in LING490.
25: Is there a required thesis?
No, this is a coursework degree. You will almost certainly write essays as part of your assessment, but there is no required thesis.
26: Will the MA in Applied Linguistics allow me to pursue PhD research?
It depends. The MAAL is a coursework MA, and normally you need a research component of your degree to gain access to a PhD program. Within the MAAL you can include the 12 credit point LING 490 - this will make your MAAL degree 25% by research, which is enough to admit you to a PhD program in many universities. However you should clarify the acceptability of doing the MAAL (with the 12 credit points of LING 490 research) with the specific university in which you are interested.
27: Are there any residential requirements?
No, there are no residential requirements. Currently most of our students are in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, the USA and the Middle East. Over 8 units you will get to know many people surprisingly well, but there is no requirement that you come to UNE.
28: Can I do the degree from home?
Yes, since it is wholly online you can study from any place where you can rely on good computer access. Some of our students manage to complete MAAL units whilst moving between short-term teaching contracts in different countries.
Since the degree is wholly online, there is no need to come to UNE in Armidale. However, if you are able to, then we would love to meet you! Overseas students would need to apply for student visas if they wish to enter Australia to study, and all visitors to Australia require travel visas to enter Australia. You should also be aware that there are no face-to-face classes for MAAL units, though we do all teach other units on a face-to-face basis.
30: How do I pay for the units?
Instructions for payments will be found in your admissions offer letter. The MAAL is payable through HECS (the Higher Education Contribution Scheme) for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Commencing international or overseas students make payments directly to UNE's International Office. Contact the International Office for further information: Tel: +61-2-6773-3192; Fax: +61-2-6773-3325; E-mail: international@une.edu.au. Website: http://www.une.edu.au/imp/. Continuing international and overseas students are invoiced via the UNE Student Centre.
Yes, you can pay for the MAAL through HECS if you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.
32: If I’m an Australian citizen overseas, do I still qualify for HECS?
Yes, MAAL students qualify for HECS (the Higher Education Contribution Scheme) if they are Australian citizens or permanent residents who happen to be living overseas at the time.
33: What are the total fees for the degree?
These are the MAAL fees for students beginning their degree in 2008.
| HECS: | deferred AUD$4,992 upfront AUD$3,993 |
| Full Fee International: | AUD$13,008 |
| Full Fee Domestic: | AUD$11,280 |
You can get up-to-date information about exchange rates from Australian dollars into the currency of your choice here.
34: Can I pay per unit per semester?
Yes, in fact, you only need to pay for the units in which you are enrolled in any given semester.
Not really. There are scholarships and other financial aid options offered at UNE, but there are no scholarships targetted at MAAL students in particular. You can find information about the existing scholarship schemes at http://www.une.edu.au/scholarships/ for details.
36: Can I participate in graduation ceremonies?
Yes, you can. UNE holds graduation ceremonies each April and October. They are held outdoors (weather permitting) in the grounds of Booloominbah (a quite splendid old brick building at the heart of the university) and are very festive and grand occasions. Once you have completed the degree requirements, you apply to graduate. If you cannot attend in person, you still graduate and receive your testamur through the post. If you can attend, the MAAL staff will be very happy to meet with you, take part in the ceremony, and take photos afterwards.
37: Once I've completed, can I get a copy of my transcript straight away?
Yes. You might, for example, complete your degree requirements in July, and have to wait until October for the graduation ceremony. If you require documentation in the meantime, say for a job application, then you can request an academic transcript that states that you have completed the degree requirements.
38: Will any reference to the fact this degree is delivered “online” appear on my transcripts or award?
Occasionally we get asked this by students who are concerned that 'online' makes a degree sound less prestigious. We don't share this view, and we don't believe that the quality of our degree is at all lowered by the delivery mode. But no, since online is simply the delivery method for the degree, the word ‘online’ does not appear on the official transcript.
39: Do I need to purchase textbooks or other materials?
All units require that you access reading materials. Some units have textbooks, others have a selection of journal articles or book chapters. Some have both. For most units you will be required to buy a textbook. In many units you will be able to download additional readings in the form of pdf files from either the unit homepage, or the UNE Library.
40: Is there academic support provided?
Each unit has an academic staff member as coordinator to provide academic support. The unit homepage has tools which make interaction with your coordinator easy, and you can expect a quick response to any questions that you have. We also have a Student Advisor who fields any questions about the degree generally, and troubleshoots any problems you might encounter.
41: Is there computer support provided?
Yes. There is a Student Manual available to all students, and the IT Service Desk provides computer support to all enrolled UNE students: Email: servicedesk@une.edu.au.
42: How do I access online resources?
Once you are enrolled, you'll get a UNE student username and password and be able to access your units. From your MyUnits page, you can visit the UNE Library homepage and follow directions that allow you to search numerous databases, and access readings specifically listed for your units.
Yes, visit the UNE Library homepage – select “External Student” or “e-resources” or “e-skills” and follow directions. http://www.une.edu.au/library/.
Not officially. However most students find access to a printer to be very useful. Many readings are available online as pdf files, and in our experience most people prefer to read from paper than a computer screen. So you will find it very useful to be able to print off course notes and readings.
45: Can I get advanced standing/exemptions?
Advanced standing refers to getting credit for work already completed. Candidates may be granted advanced standing to a maximum of 24 credit points on the basis of units passed either at UNE or elsewhere provided that: a) those units have reasonable correspondence to MAAL units; and b) those units have not been counted towards the same degree which qualifies you for MAAL admission.
Exemptions refer to units which you may not take because you have already done similar coursework elsewhere. If you receive exemptions, you will still have to complete 48 credit points worth of work to complete the MA (Applied Linguistics).
If you feel you are eligible for either advanced standing or an exemption, you will be asked to provide (1) evidence of having completed the relevant material (e.g., an academic transcript), and (2) unit outlines explaining what was covered in the units that you did. Normally such requests should be made when applying to enrol in the program.
46: Can I get credit within the MAAL for any units from other Schools or institutions?
Yes, it is possible to study up to 12 credit points worth of units with other Schools or institutions. However, you would need to get permission from both the Head of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics and the relevant permission from the other institution or School.
47: I have completed a Grad Diploma, am I eligible for advanced standing?
It depends. Many Graduate Diplomas are called 'postgraduate degrees' but actually have you do undergraduate units. You might be able to get advanced standing for units taken as part of a Grad Dip, if you can prove that those units are genuinely postgraduate level units.
48: How long does it take to finish?
The degree may be completed in as little as 2 semesters (1 year: 4 units each semester), and no more than 8 semesters (4 years: 1 unit each semester).
49: Is the MAAL best done full-time or part-time?
The MAAL is structured so that ideally you do the Group 1 units first, then the Group 2 units. But this is only possible if you study part-time. If you are fitting your Masters studies around work commitments, and want maximum choice of units, then we recommend that you do the MAAL part-time. If you want to take it full time, we've made that possible by making the group 1 units co-requisite (rather pre-requisite) to the Group 2 units - so it is possible to do them in the same semester. The only real disadvantage of doing the MAAL full time (other than the heavy workload!) is that you'll have less choice of units available to you. It is not possible to take more than 4 units in any single semester.
50: Can I switch from part-time to full-time or vice versa?
Yes, it is fine fine to switch, but you would have to contact the Student Centre for details.
51: Can the program be stopped and started?
Yes it can. People's lives get complicated, and sometimes life events make it necessary to suspend your candidature. This can be arranged through the UNE Student Centre.
No they aren't. All MAAL units follow the UNE semester system. They start on a fixed day, and run for 13 weeks. You might be able to get advanced information about the textbook and readings - so you can get started early. Generally however you need to be able to commit to being available online for the fixed 13 week period.
53: Are all units offered every semester?
No. Unit availability varies by semester. The four core Group 1 units are offered each year, but most of the elective Group 2 units are offered only every second year. Please contact the UNE Student Centre for details.
54: Are there classes at scheduled times or do I study at my own rate?
There are no specific ‘classes’, ie. there are no times when all students get online for some kind of live interaction. All communication is 'asynchronous' - each student accesses the unit, and reads or posts messages, at a time that suits them. Start and end dates are fixed, and there are strict deadlines for the submission of assessment tasks. However beyond these specifics, there is quite a lot of flexibility in when you do the work.
55: Are the semesters at UNE the same as where I am?
That depends on where you are. In Australia the seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. That means that Christmas and New Year coincide with summer vacation, and July is in the middle of winter.
UNE has two semesters: First Semester (February-June) and Second Semester (July-November).
56: What is the 'class' experience like?
In the first week you'll log on to a unit and you'll find yourself in a group of (maybe 50??) students. People post greetings and the class quickly settles into a routine. In each unit there are Information pages that explain what you need to do. You'll find explicit instructions about the topic structure, what you need to read for each topic, when each task is due, etc etc.
You'll find a Discussions board where you can ask questions, and read other people's questions and responses to them. You'll find that over the course of a semester, that you get to know the different personalities in your class - it is amazing how much each person's personality comes through in their writing. There may be set postings that you are required to make. However you can generally choose your level of involvement - some people are highly verbose and love to post, and others choose a lower level of involvement - that's fine! You will develop skills in knowing what is worth reading and what is skippable.
57: What can I expect from the unit coordinator?
The unit coordinator will have a high level of engagement with the unit. Instructors normally response within 48 hours on working days, often within 24 hours. In some larger units you'll find that there is a Graduate teacher as well as the unit coordinator. Graduate teachers are postgraduate students completing research degrees with us, who help in the units. This is good experience for them, and we think it's nice that you have input from more than one person.
58: What kind of assignments can I expect?
Assignments vary by unit. Some kinds of assignments include essays, article reviews, websearches, online discussions, online quizzes, linguistic problem sets, small research projects, etc. For each unit you can expect clear information about each assessment task and when it is due.
Each unit is meant to constitute 150 hours work over the entire semester (including reading time, undertaking research, doing assessment tasks, contributing to Discussions, etc.). Obviously some times in the semester are busier than others, but as a rule of thumb, we'd recommend that each unit should take approximately 10 hours of your time per week. You will find you need to spend more time than this in the weeks in which you are preparing assignments.
60: Can I read a testimonial by a MAAL student?
Yes, we've pasted below an unsolicited email we received from a MAAL student who completed his degree in November 2005. (We have his express permission to print this, of course!)
"Dear Nick and Liz, This is my final term in the MAAL so I thought now would be a good time to let you know what I thought. Every staff member has done a notable amount of work in creating the program, so I thought it was fair to tell you how it appears to a student. I'm sending this to both of you since you both seem to be monitoring the program. The program has been phenomenal in many ways. I started last June/July and was quite apprehensive - the usual questions burned: Is this going to be worth the money? Will there be personal contact with the instructors? Can you really do a Masters completely online? Is it credible? etc. My biggest concern was: will I be able to speak with others, both students and coordinators, and get answers to problems quickly? The program quickly proved itself, as I was openly welcomed and helped by students and coordinators in the first few weeks when the workload was quickly picking up - yet, it was still very flexible so satisfied one of the biggest bonuses of external studying - flexibility. I was enrolled in 451 and 453 (FYI Nick: great course, even if my grammar is still not perfect!...sorry about that :) An external degree, especially a Masters, is a bit daunting the first week or so, but you quickly become confident with the layout of UNE's WebCT, and the course requirements - again, very important to people who are/were as nervous as myself.
On a more specific level and the main reason for writing this email, I would just like to mention that I was especially impressed with the internal consistency and support throughout the degree. I mean this in two ways:
- All of my general queries were handled quickly and professionally, making the actual learning part of the degree less stressful.
- As far as the actual courses went, I recently wrote an email to a staff member commenting on the consistency of my marks, which was superb. My marks were, quite surprisingly, all within 6 or 7 percent of my average - not that this is a necessity or something that makes a good program, but it does suggest to me that the level of difficulty and overall marking are quite consistent in the Linguistics department. I asked if this was something that the UNE staff strives for, since it is quite remarkable compared with my previous University coursework. As a result of the similar feedback throughout the program and overall consistency in course structure, I believe I was able to really see where my strengths and weaknesses are, and have gained the confidence to pursue further grad work. This is all more than I had expected, as I didn't really know what to expect when I began.
So, in short, it's been a really first-rate experience and I hope to meet the staff at some point. I'm in the middle of a contract right now so unfortunately it doesn't look like I'll be able to make it to grad - I was really hoping to. Liz, I'm sorry that I never had the opportunity to take your classes, I've heard great things from the students I've talked to. Regards, Mark"
No it isn't. Although there are strong connections between TESOL and applied linguistics, this degree does not focus on teaching techniques and pedagogy. For these reasons you could not, for instance, expect to get advanced standing in the MAAL for TESOL units taken elsewhere. However, the MAAL does include a number of units that address second language acquisition issues, including LING 462, LING 465, LING 451 and EDLA 423.
62: Will this degree make me more employable?
It certainly should. An MA in Applied Linguistics may be helpful in finding employment in a number of areas including TESOL, language planning, etc. It depends on your interests and the specific institutions. Many of our graduates are actively involved in ESL teaching, and many have found this degree directly beneficial to them in that job market.
63: Does it provide teaching accreditation?
No, this degree does not provide teaching accreditation in most countries. However, it may be accepted in many ESL or EFL situations as a qualification. Please check with your institution or accrediting agency.
64: Is there a practical component to the degree?
No, there is no practicum. This degree does not focus on pedagogy, and there is no in-class placement program.
65: Will the MA in Applied Linguistics allow me to pursue PhD research?
It depends. The MAAL is a coursework MA, and normally you need a research component of your degree to gain access to a PhD program. Within the MAAL you can include the 12 credit point LING 490 - this will make your MAAL degree 25% by research, which is enough to admit you to a PhD program in many universities. However you should clarify the acceptability of doing the MAAL (with the 12 credit points of LING 490 research) with the specific university in which you are interested.
66: Is it possible to study a language as part of the MAAL?
Some recent additions to the MAAL include a number of advanced language units in Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian and Japanese. Only 12 credit points of language units at the 400-level can be counted towards the MAAL. Note that it is not possible to take undergraduate level language units as part of this Masters degree.
67: Which advanced language units are available?
You can find a full listing of the available 400-level language units at http://www.une.edu.au/arts/.
68: Are language units offered online?
All the LING units (offered by Linguistics) within the MAAL are fully online. However, some language units may be offered by traditional modes of distance education only (paper, not online). Application for language units must be done through the specific language discipline. You need to satisfy their prerequisites and get their permission, as well as the permission of the MAAL coordinator. For more information about our award-winning language disciplines in Asian and European languages, please visit the School of Arts homepage: http://www.une.edu.au/arts/.