Mission, Goals, Graduate Attributes, and Program Learning Outcomes (MAAL)

Mission

The mission of the MA Applied Linguistics program is to equip the students with in-depth and specialized knowledge, academic and professional skills in the field of Applied Linguistics, and to prepare and inspire them to contribute to knowledge and to address local language needs from a glocal perspective.

Goals

  1. To provide participants with in-depth and specialised body of knowledge and understanding of Applied Linguistics and its sub-disciplines.
  2. To equip the students with research skills, needed to pursue their graduate studies in the field.
  3. To provide the students with critical socio-cultural and linguistic awareness of the role of language issues locally and globally.
  4. To develop students' ability to manage, reflect on and enhance their own learning.
  5. To develop participants’ ability to reflect critically on linguistic behavior and the relationship of theory to practice.
  6. To equip English teachers with the needed skills to enhance their teaching performance.

Graduate Attributes

  1. Academic and professional experts: who have profound knowledge and understanding of the field of Applied Linguistics and professional skills necessary to the jobs in this field.
  2. Life-long self-directed learners: able to continue to autonomously improve their knowledge, skills, and competences related to their field of specialization after completing the program.
  3. Critical thinkers: able to make clear and reasoned judgements about their academic and professional career.
  4. Effective communicators: able to articulately exchange academic and professional ideas, thoughts, knowledge, and information with others
  5. Independent and responsible researchers: able to carry out original research independently with full observation of ethical principles
  6. Community contributors: willing to volunteer their knowledge, competencies, and time in ways that address community needs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

K1: Accurately describe language structure and use by using appropriate theories, concepts and terminology from linguistics and applied linguistics theories.

K2: Extensively explain linguistic, psychological and social theories associated with language acquisition, learning, and use.

K3: Critically identify the close connection between language, culture, and society in various cultural contexts.

K4: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the current issues of language in education including the use of technology for language learning, teaching, and assessment.

K5: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of applied linguistics areas, the recent developments in the field, and the different research methods to approach the different emerging areas.

Skills

S1:Produce original academic texts that follow the professional academic community conventions.

S2: Insightfully apply the specialized linguistics and applied linguistics theories in investigating local and global language concerns and issues.

S3: Critically appraise the language policy and language planning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

S4: Use appropriate methods and advanced technology in language data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

S5: Plan and carry out an original applied linguistics research project of substantial scope.

Values

V1: Demonstrate integrity, professional and academic values when performing learning tasks and research assignments of the program courses.

V2: Create their own opportunities for professional development in field of Applied Linguistics.

V3: Monitor their learning and performance autonomously.

V4: Carry out leadership roles in the Applied Linguistics research and professional associations.

V5: Apply the knowledge and skills they gain from the program to the work situation by addressing and solving educational and community language issues.

Admission Terms/Conditions/Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements stated in the Unified Regulations for Postgraduate Studies in Saudi Universities, the applicant has to:

  1. Have a B. A. in language;
  2. Achieve the required score in any one of the following standardized tests:
    • TOEFL IBT (60-78);  
    • STEP (97); 
    • IELTS (6). 

The Department Council and College Council have the right to add any condition as necessary.


Last reviewed: 5/20/2023