Applied Linguistics

The Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics helps prepare scholars who will conduct systematic examinations of individual and societal multilingualism in order to build and test theories of how linguistic systems develop, are acquired, used, and taught in global contexts. The Ph.D. degree program includes the foundational theory and research of linguistics, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics. It will prepare doctoral students to utilize a range of research perspectives, both qualitative and quantitative, e.g., sociocultural, historical, linguistic, stylistic, discourse analytical. Overall, the purpose of the research undertaken in graduate study in Applied Linguistics will be to illuminate, in all its complexity, the multiple dimensions of the study of language as a mode of social existence, communication, and cognition.

Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will demonstrate command of historical and current developments in applied linguistics theory and the current literature relevant to a particular theoretical topic and research area in applied linguistics.
2. Graduates will demonstrate command of current developments in research methods in applied linguistics and ability to collect and adequately analyze data appropriate for addressing specific research questions.
3. Graduates will demonstrate ability to design and execute original, independent research projects to significantly advance theory and knowledge in applied linguistics.
4. Graduates will demonstrate ability to clearly and effectively report their research in both oral presentations and written formats using appropriate conventions of the discipline.
5. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the professional and ethical standards of scholarly and professional work in applied linguistics.