Charles Darwin University
1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time
Master of Applied Linguistics is a postgraduate program that equips you with theoretical foundations and practical skills in applied linguistics for careers in language education, policy-making, and professional domains. Ideal for linguists, language teachers, TESOL practitioners, and education policy makers seeking advanced expertise.
Applicants must have successfully completed a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree, or equivalent international qualification. English language proficiency is required, with minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for postgraduate study, or equivalent qualification from an English-speaking country. International applicants may complete CDU's Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP) as an alternative pathway.
The course is structured around four core units covering research methodologies, linguistic diversity in First Nations languages, second language acquisition, and global Englishes. Students select specialist electives from options including English language teaching, language testing, morphology, phonetics, phonology, and syntax. Additional electives cover topics such as language policy and planning, forensic linguistics, Indigenous research methodologies, and Yolngu languages and culture. Students complete either a capstone project or thesis in Applied Linguistics, allowing specialisation in areas of personal interest.
Charles Darwin University is ranked #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024) and is in the top 100 globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021). CDU offers flexible study options allowing students to balance learning with work and personal commitments. The university provides expert research supervision and directed engagement with First Nations, Australian, Asian and global perspectives, ensuring graduates develop culturally informed linguistic expertise.
Graduates can pursue careers in applied linguistics, language education, policy making, and professional domains where language and its use are priorities. Career opportunities include roles as linguists, language teachers, TESOL practitioners, education policy makers, and language consultants. The program also provides pathways for further study at the PhD level through research preparation, enabling graduates to pursue advanced research careers in linguistics and related fields.
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