Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

Degree Structure
Admission Requirements
Computer Requirements
Language Requirements
Application and Enrolment
Fees
Electronic Brochures
Academic Staff
FAQs

!! Apply Now – Applications are open!!

Explore languages, language acquisition and intercultural communication from the comfort of your own home while interacting with fellow students from around the world as part of UNE's innovative MA (Applied Linguistics).There is no residency requirement, and our current students are in Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Canada, Switzerland, the USA and Australia.

UNE'S MA (Applied Linguistics) is fully online - the first in Australia and one of the first in the world. It utilises the vast resources of the Web (online journals, Applied Linguistics websites, international databases); multimedia support via CD-ROM (journal papers, audio and video files); and some access to printed materials. Bulletin boards and chat rooms are used extensively to foster regular discussions between classmates, as well as between students and lecturers. Self-evaluation activities and quizzes provide instant feedback on topics of interest.

The degree

The MA (Applied Linguistics) is a sought-after degree for professionals in fields as diverse as education, language teaching, language planning, TESOL, government, health and the law.

UNE's MA (Applied Linguistics) is a fully online degree which will appeal 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 postgraduate 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. Our first intake was July 2001, with new intakes every semester afterwards (beginning February and July of each year).

Structure of the degree

The degree consists of 48 credit points made up of 8 units (courses or subjects) of 6 credit points each, and is normally taken over 1 year full-time or 2 - 4 years part-time. A full-time load consists of approximately 40 hours per week of academic work, and most students who are in employment find that part-time study better meets their needs.

Here are the official requirements. For more information about each unit, please see

Units in Linguistics

(a) Candidates must pass units to the value of 48 credit points at 400 level or above. (400 is the unit code which designates a postgraduate-level unit).

(b) Candidates must include all units in Group I.

Group I:

LING450 The Design of Language

LING451 Issues in Applied Linguistics

LING452 Intercultural Communication

LING453 The English Language

Elective units available include:

Group II:

LING405 Meaning in Language (new unit)

LING460 Generative Syntax

LING461 Research Methods and Methodology

LING462 Second Language Acquisition: Theory

LING463 Bilingualism, Education and Society

LING464 First Language Acquisition

LING465 Applied Phonology

LING466 Australia's Indigenous Languages

LING467 Applied Phonetics

LING468 Formal Phonology

LING469 Morphology and Syntax (new unit)

EDLA423 Second Language Acquisition: Applications

Group III:

LING 490 Research Topic in Applied Linguistics (with permission only)

(c) Candidates may not enrol in any unit or units where the candidate has undertaken equivalent subject matter in a previous award.

(d) Candidates may be permitted to substitute Group II units in place of Group I units, up to a value of 12 credit points.

(e) With permission from the Degree Co-ordinator, a candidate may substitute other units at 400-level for prescribed Group II units, up to the value of 12 credit points. Possible units may include those in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Indonesian and Japanese or other disciplines at 400-level or above. Not all language units may be offered online. See individual disciplines for prerequisites and other information.

Note: Some language units may be offered by print-based distance education only (ie not online).

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree from a university recognised by UNE.

Candidates must have access to the Worldwide Web and access to a computer with a CDRom drive. Minimum computing requirements apply, and will be updated regularly.

Advanced Standing

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 the candidate for MAAL admission. Students normally apply for advanced standing before commencement of the program.

Period of Candidature

Candidates must satisfy the requirements of the program in not less than two semesters and not more than eight semesters.

Computer requirements

Students must have access to the Internet and a computer with a CD-ROM drive.

Online access requirements

Students must have reliable, high-speed regular access to the Internet. A good-quality fast printer is highly desirable.Typical tasks involved in online study include downloading long journal articles, undertaking timed online quizzes, uploading large essay files, downloading audio files, and posting regular emails and Discussion forums messages to lecturers and fellow students. Students who use outdated technology may find that these tasks are unnecessarily time-consuming and frustrating.

One advantage of online study is that students are not tied to one particular location, and can work at any time which suits them. If your work involves travel or irregular hours, then you can schedule your academic work to fit in with your other commitments, and access the materials from different places. However, we advise students not to underestimate their needs for regular internet access which is free of time limits. Most weeks you will need to access the MAAL online site several times for extended periods. Students who have tried to undertake online study by relying solely on internet cafes, public library computers or friends' computers have in the past had difficulty in completing the course requirements.

Language requirements

International students from non-English speaking countries require evidence of English proficiency:

for example a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS overall score of 6 with a minimum of 5.5 for each subtest

Application and Enrolment

First, an explanation of UNE's terminology.

Application - means to apply for a place in the MA (Applied Linguistics). If your application is approved (ie you have the necessary pre-requisites, and there are places available) you will receive an offer of a place in the degree. If you did not supply the necessary documentation at the time of application, the offer will be conditional upon the sighting of the relevant documents.

Enrolment - means that your details are formally entered onto UNE's student system, and you are allocated a student number. You specify which units you want to take in each semester, and your name is added to the class list for each of these units. The process of enrolment generates other steps such as the issuing of a fee invoice, an email account and library access code.

A 'unit' is the smallest component of academic study at UNE. Some Australian universities call this a 'subject', while North American students may know it as a 'course'. MAAL units carry 6 credit points each, and require approximately 150 hours of work each.

The MA (Applied Linguistics) is a 'course', a 'degree' or an 'award'. It is composed of 48 credit points, so you need 8 units of 6 credit points each to complete the award.

A 'core' unit is a compulsory unit. An 'elective' unit is, naturally, one you may choose as part of your program.

A 'program' can mean the same as 'award' and it can also mean the sequence of units you have chosen within the MAAL: ie your individual program.

Application Procedure

There are two intakes in each calendar year. Australia's academic year begins in February and ends in December.

The closing date for applications to begin study in Semester 1 (February) is normally 30th November.

The closing date for applications to begin study in Semester 2 (July) is normally 31st May.

How to apply

If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen: please fill in the application form at http://www.une.edu.au/apply

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 enrollment 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/apply/

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.

Further questions...

For help with academic aspects of the MA (Applied Linguistics), please contact:

Ms Libby Fitzgerald
Online Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics)
Academic Coordinator
School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences
University of New England, Armidale
NSW Australia, 2351
Tel: +61-2-6773-3189
Fax: +61-2-6773-3748
Email: ma.online@une.edu.au

Fees

FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS: This is a HECS-HELP qualified program for Australians. In 2008 the fees for commonwealth-supported students are $5095 for the whole MAAL degree. Current fees for Band 1 (MAAL) units can be found at http://www.une.edu.au/for/current-students/costs/stufees.php

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Fees for the entire degree in 2008 are AU$13,008 for the whole MAAL degree. Current fee schedules for students commencing study in 2008 can be found at http://www.une.edu.au/imp/brochures.php

Fees are usually paid per semester on the basis of number of units in which a student is enrolled in that semester. Students will receive an invoice from the Fees Unit fees@une.edu.au.

Notes:

HECS-HELP fees and the General Service Fee (GSF) are subject to change from year to year.

Fees are usually paid per semester on the basis of number of units in which a student is enrolled in that semester. Students will receive an invoice from the Fees Unit (fees@une.edu.au).

Electronic Brochures

The below documents are pdf brochures about the MAAL degree. Feel free to download them for your own information, or distribute them to colleagues who you think might be interested.

Domestic MAAL Brochure (3Mb PDF)

International MAAL Brochure (417Kb PDF)

The Academic Staff

The School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences is one of the most successful teaching and research centres in Australia. We have experienced, dedicated, and highly qualified teaching staff. We treat each student as an individual and attempt to meet his or her particular needs. National surveys of graduate satisfaction consistently rate our teaching as among the very best in the country.