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Sociolinguistics (Applied Linguistics, M.A.)

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Linguistics prepares students to pursue advanced graduate study, teach in colleges, adult education programs, businesses, private schools and institutions in the U.S. or abroad, work with private businesses, and the language acquisition needs of second language learners. The Sociolinguistics track focuses on different aspects of language, used in various sociocultural contexts. Courses in dialect variation, discourse analysis, and language and culture prepare students to collect, analyze, and interpret language data—skills with important applications in academic research, industry, education, the criminal justice system, and community language studies.

Sociolinguistics (Applied Linguistics, M.A.)


Description


What is Sociolinguistics at ODU like?

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Linguistics prepares students to pursue advanced graduate study, teach in colleges, adult education programs, businesses, private schools and institutions in the U.S. or abroad, work with private businesses, and the language acquisition needs of second language learners. The Sociolinguistics track focuses on different aspects of language, used in various sociocultural contexts. Courses in dialect variation, discourse analysis, and language and culture prepare students to collect, analyze, and interpret language data—skills with important applications in academic research, industry, education, the criminal justice system, and community language studies.

Program Highlights


What makes Sociolinguistics at ODU unique?

  • The Sociolinguistic track of the MA Program in Applied Linguistics offers unique experience in: The study of language varieties (e.g., American English, African American English, Southern English, Tidewater area linguistic history, etc.) from social, sociocultural, and linguistics point of view; Style and stance; Discourse analysis; Forensic linguistics

Careers


What are some careers in this field?

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

$77,660

MEDIAN SALARY


Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Speech-Language Pathologists

$79,770

MEDIAN SALARY


Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

Interpreters and Translators

$51,790

MEDIAN SALARY


Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors

$56,800

MEDIAN SALARY


Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in remedial education classes, preparatory classes for the General Educational Development test, literacy, or English as a Second Language. Teaching may or may not take place in a traditional educational institution.

Courses


What are some courses offered in Sociolinguistics at ODU?

ENGL 540:
General Linguistics


An introduction to linguistic analysis of world languages. Emphasis is on the analysis of sound systems |phonetics, phonology) and the structure of words and sentences |morphology and syntax).

ENGL 678:
Sociolinguistics


Sociolinguistics is the study of language in its social context with emphasis on ethnography and other qualitative methods, quantitative methods, and linguistic and social differentiation between individuals and groups. Prerequisites: Any upper-division linguistics course or permission of instructor.

ENGL 679:
First and Second Language Acquisition


An investigation of first and second language acquisition with emphasis on examining evidence about second language learning which supports or fails to support different approaches to teaching a second language.

Requirements


What are the requirements to apply for Sociolinguistics at ODU?

Students entering the Master of Arts program in Sociolinguistics should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Graduate Admission)

Cost

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Virginia Resident


Per Credit:

$ 571

Non-Resident


Per Credit:

$ 1,394

Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States


Per Credit:

$ 595

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid

Assistantships


The Applied Linguistics graduate program offers a small number of assistantships to select students. Contact the Department of English for more information.

Next Steps


I like this program. What are the next steps?

Contact


Need help applying?

Meet Your Enrollment Team

Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.

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Graduate Program Director


Name:

Staci Defibaugh


Location:

4032 BATTEN ARTS & LETTERS, NORFOLK, VA, 23529



Office:

757-683-3998


Graduate Admissions


Location:

1000 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529


Phone Office:

757-683-3685


Fax:

757-683-6512


Email:

gradadmit@odu.edu


International Admissions


Location:

2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529


Phone Office:

757-683-3701


Fax:

757-683-3651


Email:

intladm@odu.edu

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