MA Papers Option
The Scholarly Papers option for the MA in Linguistics or ESL
- Two "publishable'' quality papers are required
- The two papers must be in two distinct areas within ESL or linguistics
- The two papers must be directed by two different members of the linguistics/ESL faculty
- In addition to a Director, each paper requires a Second Reader, selected from among the linguistics/ESL faculty
- An oral comprehensive examination is required
A. the student will be examined over all areas but focus will be on the areas of the Scholarly Papers
B. the student must submit at least abstracts, detailed outlines, or rough drafts of the two papers before the oral exam
C. the examiners will be the Directors of the two papers and at least one other member of the linguistics/ESL faculty - All requirements for the MA will be satisfied upon
A. successful completion of course work as described in the graduate catalog
B. passage of the oral comprehensive examination
C. the signed approval of completion of the Scholarly Papers by their Directors and Second Readers
Should you write two scholarly papers?
This option is similar to the thesis option but differs in that you write two shorter, article-length, original research contributions to the field rather than one long book. For this option you may work with two Linguistics/ESL faculty members in developing your ideas. As with the thesis, a short oral comprehensive exam is required with this option.
The advantages and disadvantages of this option are similar to those of the thesis option. Also with this option you will probably have two papers that can be published or read at a professional conference.