Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these program requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Knowledge of a language other than English. Entrance competencies for specific concentrations are as follows:
- Language concentrations: an undergraduate major in the language, or comparable background, such as coursework, a significant immersion experience, or native fluency combined with appropriate academic training.
- Translation tracks: competence on a qualifying examination.
- Comparative Literature concentration: an undergraduate major in comparative literature, including advanced study of a language other than English, or equivalent literary and language preparation.
- Linguistics concentration: an undergraduate major in linguistics or in a related field, such as English, a foreign language, psychology, philosophy, or anthropology; and at least a basic-level familiarity with a language other than English, as evidenced by coursework, immersion experience or native fluency.
- Submission to the MALLT Program of three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from instructors acquainted with the student’s academic work.
- Submission to the MALLT Program of a well-developed statement of approximately 500 words outlining the applicant’s academic background and interests, reasons for graduate study in the MALLT program, intended concentration and professional goals.
Applicants who meet general Graduate School requirements (an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75) and the above program requirements may be admitted in good standing.
Upon recommendation of the Coordinating Committee, an applicant lacking in course background may be admitted with specified deficiencies in the above on the condition that the deficiencies be made up by the end of the first full semester (9-12 credits). Credits earned in making up deficiencies do not count toward the degree. If an applicant furnishes substantial evidence of capacity to do satisfactory graduate work despite a deficiency in GPA on admission, probationary admission may be recommended.
Credits and Courses
No credits carrying a grade below B- may be counted toward meeting the MALLT degree requirement of 30 credits.
The MALLT degree offers two tracks:
- the Standard Track within which students may complete one of eight concentrations and
- the Translation Track, which will be designated as a concentration on the student’s transcript.
Students are not obligated to elect a concentration, but many will find it beneficial to do so. They also have the option of completing two concentrations, but, in doing so, students must complete all requirements for each concentration and a minimum of 36 credits for the degree.
Standard Track
Thirty graduate credits are required, 6 of which must be in core seminars in the language, literature, and linguistics areas. The student develops a program of study in consultation with the Major Professor, normally including the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two core seminars as a foundation in basic aspects of languages, literatures, and linguistics | 6 | |
| Select five to eight courses in a language, literature, or linguistics area to permit concentration in the student’s major area of interest. Select the remaining credits in related areas to give the program breadth. | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Translation Track: Professional
The Professional track is designed for those considering careers as in-house or freelance translators who are not necessarily interested in further study at the doctoral level.
Students must earn thirty graduate credits, as indicated below; they may not count undergraduate credits earned in the Translation Certificate Program. Admission is based in part on a qualifying examination that consists of a 300-word translation from the source to the target language and one 150-word essay in the target language.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| MALLT/TRNSLTN 709 | Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 710 | Comparative Systems for Translation 1 | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 726 | Computer-Assisted Translation | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 730 | Internship in Translation/Interpreting | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 820 | Translation Theory | 3 |
| Language-Specific Concentrations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
| French to English | ||
| Introduction to Translation: French to English | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Translation: French to English | ||
| German to English | ||
| Introduction to German Translation | ||
GERMAN 525 | ||
| Spanish to English | ||
| Introduction to Translation: Spanish to English | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Translation: Spanish to English | ||
| English to Spanish | ||
| Introduction to Translation: English to Spanish | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select three electives (see below) | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Or, for German concentrators, GERMAN 474.
Work in other languages may be possible with the approval of the coordinator, depending upon the availability of appropriate faculty members for language-specific independent study.
Electives
Select three courses from the following. Additional appropriate courses may be selected with the consent of the program coordinator.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MALLT/Translation Courses | ||
| LINGUIS/MALLT 708 | Proseminar in Linguistics | 3 |
| MALLT 790 | Thesis (up to 6 credits) | 1-6 |
| TRNSLTN 530 | Business and Professional Aspects of Translation (Previously FLL 525) | 3 |
| A course in the student’s area of translation specialization | 3 | |
| Translation course(s) in another language | 3-6 | |
| Other Approved Electives | ||
| ENGLISH 434 | Editing and Publishing | 3 |
| ENGLISH 439 | Information Design | 3 |
| ENGLISH 708 | Advanced Professional Writing | 3 |
| ENGLISH 709 | Rhetoric, Writing, and Information Technology | 3 |
Translation Track: Research
The Research track is designed for those considering further study at the doctoral level.
Students must earn thirty graduate credits, as indicated below; they may not count undergraduate credits earned in the Translation Certificate Program. Admission is based in part on a qualifying examination that consists of a 300-word translation from the source to the target language and one 150-word essay in the target language.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| TRNSLTN 820 | Translation Theory | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 710 | Comparative Systems for Translation | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 730 | Internship in Translation/Interpreting | 3 |
| MALLT/TRNSLTN 799 | Reading and Research | 3 |
| Critical Theory 1 | 3 | |
| Language-Specific Concentrations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
| French to English | ||
| Introduction to Translation: French to English | ||
| Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation | ||
| German to English | ||
| Introduction to German Translation | ||
| Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation | ||
| Spanish to English | ||
| Introduction to Translation: Spanish to English | ||
| Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation | ||
| English to Spanish | ||
| Introduction to Translation: English to Spanish | ||
| Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select three electives (see below) | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Offered by MALLT, TRNSLTN or another department, with approval of student’s major professor.
Work in other languages may be possible with the approval of the coordinator, depending upon the availability of appropriate faculty members for language-specific independent study.
Electives
Select three courses from the following, in consultation with student’s major professor according to the student’s area of interest. Additional appropriate courses may be selected with the consent of the program coordinator or major professor. The list below is not exhaustive.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A course in Reading Literature in Translation: Case Studies | 3 | |
| A literature course in the student’s source language area | 3 | |
| A translation course(s) in the student’s C language | 3 | |
| A course in translation or other critical theory (including courses offered by other departments and in languages other than English) | 3 | |
| TRNSLTN 726 | Computer-Assisted Translation | 3 |
Thesis
Up to 6 graduate credits may be earned by presentation of a satisfactory thesis. The student’s Major Professor, in consultation with the student, will recommend the names of a Thesis Director and two readers who, upon approval by the Coordinating Committee, will constitute the ad hoc Thesis Committee.
Program Requirements
Comprehensive Examination
The student must pass both written and oral examinations, prepared and administered by an Examining Committee. The composition of the committee is approved by the Coordinating Committee. If the student fails the examination, they may repeat it once, but no sooner than three months from the date of the first examination.
Comparative Literature students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second language other than English prior to taking their Comprehensive Examinations. Reading knowledge may be demonstrated by coursework in the specific language program or by written examination, to be determined with the Major Professor.
Additional Requirements
Transfer of Credits
Any course submitted for transfer must be no more than five years old at the time of the student’s admission to the MALLT Program, must have been taken at the graduate level in a recognized institution, and must have been completed with a grade of B or better. Since Graduate School regulations allow the transfer of only 12 non-degree graduate credits to a master’s program, students are advised to apply for degree candidacy in the MALLT program before completion of 12 credits of coursework.
Major Professor as Advisor
The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student’s studies as specified in Graduate School regulations.
The Coordinating Committee refers each incoming student to a temporary advisor, normally the Graduate Advisor in the student’s chosen concentration, as stated in the application. The Graduate Advisor assists in assessing the student’s competencies, interests, and future academic or professional needs. Normally, the Graduate Advisor recommends a Major Professor after his/her initial meeting with the student.
The Major Professor and the student establish a plan of study by the end of the student’s first semester of graduate work. The plan will be reviewed by the Major Professor and the student after the successful completion of 12 credits and the removal of any deficiencies that may have been assessed at admission. At the time of the review, the student may request another Major Professor in the event that his/her programmatic needs have been modified or altered. Subsequent minor changes must be approved by the Major Professor.
The Major Professor evaluates and updates the student’s progress after completion of every six (6) credits or every semester of subsequent work. The student may not register for any courses without this advisor’s prior approval.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
Language, Literature, and Translation MA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Language, Literature, and Translation MA (MALLT) program will be able to:
- Articulate concentration-specific linguistic, literary, and cultural knowledge about past and contemporary communities within their historical, socio-cultural and global context.
- Identify, describe and utilize the pertinent critical/theoretical frameworks, methods, and terminology of their field of linguistic, literary, and/or cultural studies.
- Communicate fluently and clearly in writing and in oral presentations nuanced analysis of linguistic, literary, and cultural works in the target language of their field of study.
- Conduct and produce independent research in their field by developing and delimiting a research question; systematically investigating the question; retrieving and synthesizing bibliographical materials; and presenting their research analytically and argumentatively.
- Perform professional skills tied to the specific professional area of study such as: utilizing oral and written language skills in professional and academic settings; teaching the target language in first- and second-year language acquisition courses; or translating and interpreting accurately in a wide variety of domains and settings.
- Search and apply for professional opportunities or advanced study in/related to the M.A., and participate in professional activities (such as colloquia, conferences, internships, meetings and workshops).