Second Language Studies Certificate

Overview

The graduate certificate in Second Language Studies (SLS) will enhance the preparation and professionalization of graduate students of Linguistics, CLAS languages, literatures, and cultures departments and the School of Education.  The certificate provides a new opportunity at KU for graduate students to add a concentration in applied linguistics and to highlight their training in research-based language pedagogy. This is an important addition for both M.A. and Ph.D. students who plan a career in language teaching at institutions of higher education and/or are continuing their graduate education in SLS.

Admissions



Current KU Students

A student must be in good standing with their graduate degree program in order to participate in the certificate program.  A graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission.  The application process entails completing the online application, payment of the $30 application fee, and submitting materials required for the Second Language Studies (SLS) Certificate:

  • A C.V. or Resume.
  • A personal statement declaring your interest in Second Language Studies and its relationship to your graduate course of study and/or career objectives.
  • 1 letter of recommendation from your graduate degree program.
  • A KU Advising report in lieu of an official transcript.

Non-KU students or KU Alumni 

Non-KU students or KU Alumni must have a previously completed advanced degree in an applicable field with a graduate GPA of 3.0 of higher.  The application process entails completing the online application, submitting materials required for the Second Language Studies (SLS) Certificate:

  • A C.V. or Resume.
  • A personal statement declaring your interest in Second Language Studies and its relationship to your graduate course of study and/or career objectives.
  • 2 letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic work or potential for graduate study.
  • Official transcripts from any institutions where coursework related to study in your second language was completed.

Send official sealed transcripts to:

Graduate Admissions

1450 Jayhawk Blvd.

Strong Hall, Room 313

Lawrence, KS  66045

-OR-

gapc@ku.edu

Certificate Requirements:

The certificate is awarded to M.A. or Ph.D. students who successfully complete 4 graduate-level courses across disciplines (12 credits total) as outlined below:

  1. LING 715 Second Language Acquisition I
  2. LA&S 720 Introduction to Language Teaching Research or another approved* related graduate-level course offered by Linguistics, CLAS languages, literatures, and cultures departments, or by the School of Education. 
  3. A graduate-level course in Linguistics, or another approved* related graduate-level course offered by Linguistics, CLAS languages, literatures, and cultures departments, or by the School of Education. 
  4. Elective course in Second Language Studies. This may be fulfilled by a Teaching Methods course required of GTAs teaching language departments (FREN 704, SLAV 824, SPAN 801) and by other approved related graduate-level courses, including those offered by the School of Education.

A student who has prior coursework deemed equivalent to any of the required courses may replace the required course with an approved elective. One course that fulfills certificate requirements 2 or 4 may count as an elective towards the M.A. or Ph.D. course requirements in Linguistics. 

Note:

*Graduate-level course equivalents will be approved by the Linguistics Academic Administrator for the Second Language Studies certificate program for Linguistics students and by the Academic Director for the Second Language Studies certificate program for all other students.