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.

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are highly recommended and can enhance a candidate’s competitiveness for merit-based additional funding, but are not required. All applicants are required to submit:

• three letters of reference (at least two from faculty with whom the applicant has studied) evaluating aptitude for doctoral study
• at least one sample of scholarly writing (published or unpublished research paper, thesis, etc.)
• an academic statement describing their teaching and research experience and their specific professional goals and interests

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

International applicants without an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution also have:

• A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based), with a minimum score of 23 on the speaking section and a minimum score of 24 on the writing section,
• OR an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 on the speaking section and a minimum score of 7.0 on the writing section

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies.

qualifying examination

All Ph.D. students must take the qualifying exam within three semesters (not counting the summer semester), unless they are identified as being in a dual-title degree. Dual-title Ph.D. students must take the qualifying exam within four semesters (not counting the summer semester).

The purpose of the exam is to assess competence in academic writing and ability to carry out research. The exam is given orally and is not to exceed 60 minutes. Prior to the exam [see below for details] students must submit two original research papers to the committee. In compliance with the purpose of the exam, these papers should demonstrate scholarly ability and thus point to likelihood of successful completion of the program. The exam will focus on the papers, the program of study, and research plans.

English Language Competence

During course work prior to the qualifying examination, students will be assessed for communicative competence in reading, writing, and speaking English. Should a higher level of competence be required, the student will be directed to the appropriate resources. International candidates will be advised that the passage of the minimal TOEFL requirement does not demonstrate the level of competence required for completion of the Ph.D. program.

Additional Language Competence

Students must demonstrate competency in one additional language other than your first language. Students whose first language is not English can use English to satisfy this requirement. Students whose first language is English may satisfy this requirement by completing one of the following: having an undergraduate or graduate degree with a major or minor in that language, passing an appropriate graduate-level course offered in that language at your previous institution or Penn State, submitting to the doctoral committee a course/research paper that involves an in-depth analysis of that language, or demonstrating intermediate-advanced speaking proficiency in that language to a relevant member of the graduate faculty at Penn State through an oral interview. 

Ph.D. Committee Composition

The Ph.D. committee must meet all Graduate Council requirements. Members of the Graduate Faculty with courtesy appointments in Applied Linguistics who are members of the Applied Linguistics Graduate Faculty may serve as the chair of the Ph.D. committee with approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

Comprehensive Examination

This examination is designed to assess the ability to interpret the theoretical assumptions and research findings in the student's area of concentration and their ability to do empirical research in that area.  The exam will comprise two components: data analysis and a critical theoretically grounded discussion of the existing research that addresses the topic of your contemplated doctoral dissertation.

Dissertation

Each doctoral candidate is required to conduct an original and independent research project representing a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of study. The project should be presented in a scholarly manner, show an ability on the part of the candidate to do independent research of high quality, and demonstrate considerable experience in using appropriate research techniques. The content and conclusions of the dissertation will be defended at the time of the final oral examination. A written dissertation proposal is required and must be approved at a proposal defense by a majority vote of the candidate's Ph.D. committee. A majority vote is also required for approval of the completed written dissertation at the final oral defense. The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School.

Dual-Titles

DUAL-TITLE PHD IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS AND AFRICAN STUDIES

The goal of the dual-title degree in Applied Linguistics and African Studies is to enable graduate students from Applied Linguistics to acquire the knowledge and skills of their major area of specialization in Applied Linguistics while gaining the perspective from specialists in African Studies.

This program provides graduate students with a solid disciplinary foundation that will allow them to compete for the best jobs in their field. The dual-title PhD in Applied Linguistics and African Studies will enable these students to transform the traditional boundaries of their fields and become experts in African Studies and will add value to their status as candidates. Overall, the dual-title degree in Applied Linguistics and African Studies will build curricular bridges beyond the student’s major field to provide a unique training regime for global scholarship.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

The PhD in Applied Linguistics and African Studies is open to students who are admitted to the Applied Linguistics doctoral program and, subsequently, to the dual-title degree program in African Studies. Doctoral students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in African Studies prior to taking the qualifying examination in their primary graduate program.

Applicants interested in the program should make their interest in the dual-title degree program known on their applications and include remarks in their essays that explain their training, interests, and career goals in an area of African Studies.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 

To qualify for an African Studies degree, students must satisfy the requirements of the Applied Linguistics program in which they are primarily enrolled as well as the requirements described below, as established by the African Studies committee. Within this framework, the final course selection is determined by the student and their African Studies and Applied Linguistics program advisors.

Upon a student’s acceptance by the African Studies Admissions Committee, the student will be assigned an African Studies academic advisor in consultation with the African Studies chair. As students develop specific scholarly interests, they may request that a different African Studies faculty member serve as their advisor. The student and advisor will discuss a program of study that is appropriate for the student’s professional objectives and that is in accord with the policies of the Graduate School, Applied Linguistics Department, and African Studies program.

The PhD in Applied Linguistics and African Studies is awarded only to students who are admitted to the Applied Linguistics doctoral program and to the dual-title degree in African Studies.

REQUIRED COURSES IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS

The basic coursework requirement for APLNG students entering with an MA degree is 37 credits (excluding 8 for doctoral dissertation writing), including one from a proseminar and four semesters with 9 credits each. Six of these credits can be double counted toward the AFR requirement.

Students taking the dual-title degree will have to enroll for an additional 12 credits in AFR putting the total for coursework at 49 credits. In this dual-title degree, students are expected to do coursework until Year 3. They concentrate on writing their dissertation in Years 4 and 5.

On rare occasions, the program may admit exceptionally qualified students entering the program with B.A. degree only. To satisfy the coursework requirements in both programs, these students will need 54 credits in APLNG and 12 credits in AFR beyond the 6 double counted APLNG credits. These students will be counseled to take advantage of summer credit options and will be permitted one or two semesters of 12 credits such that they may complete their comprehensive examinations in the 7th semester. 

The minimum course requirements for the PhD in Applied Linguistics are listed below:

REQUIRED COURSES IN AFRICAN STUDIES

To satisfy the conditions for the dual-title degree, the student must additionally complete the following African Studies requirements:

Double counting is allowed, and up to 6 of the 18 credits may come from Africa-related courses in Applied Linguistics or other units, as approved by the student’s Applied Linguistics and African Studies Program academic advisors.

No more than 6 credits may be taken at the 400 level, and no more than 6 combined credits may come from individual studies courses and/or foreign studies courses.

The choice of additional courses in African Studies is to be proposed by the student, subject to approval by the Applied Linguistics and African Studies advisors. The suite of selected courses should have an integrated, intellectual thrust that probes a thematic, national, or regional issue and that is complementary to the student’s specialty in the primary program.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Communication and foreign language requirements will be determined by the student and the Applied Linguistics and African Studies Program advisors in accordance with the existing Applied Linguistics language requirements. 

Qualifying EXAM

The dual-title degree will be guided by the qualifying exam procedure of the Applied Linguistics graduate program. The qualifying exam for the dual-title degree may be given after at least 18 post-baccalaureate credits have been earned in graduate courses; it must be taken within three semesters (summer sessions do not count) of entry into the Applied Linguistics graduate program. The dual-title degree student may require one additional semester to fulfill requirements for the dual-title degree program. The qualifying examination may, therefore, be delayed by a semester. There will be a single qualifying examination that contains elements of the major discipline and African Studies.

The qualifying examination committee for the dual-title degree will be composed of graduate faculty from Applied Linguistics and at least one graduate faculty member from the African Studies Program. The designated dual-title faculty member may be appointed from Applied Linguistics if that person holds a formal appointment with the African Studies Program.

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

The doctoral committee of a dual-title degree student must include a minimum of four faculty members, i.e., the chair and at least three additional members, all of whom must be members of the graduate faculty. In addition to the general Graduate Council requirements for Ph.D. committees, the committee must include at least one member of the African Studies Graduate Faculty. Faculty members who hold Graduate Faculty appointments in both Applied Linguistics and African Studies may serve in a combined role. If the chair of the Ph.D. committee is not a member of the Graduate Faculty in African Studies, the member of the committee representing African Studies must be appointed as co-chair.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

After completing all coursework, doctoral candidates for the dual-title degree in Applied Linguistics and African Studies must pass a comprehensive examination that includes written and oral components. Written components will be administered for a candidate’s major Applied Linguistics subfield and African Studies. The Comprehensive Examination will be made up of two questions jointly composed by the student’s committee under the direction of the chair of the student’s PhD committee.

DISSERTATION AND DISSERTATION DEFENSE

Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense) to earn a PhD.  Students enrolled in the dual-title program are required to write and orally defend a dissertation on a topic that reflects their original research and education in Applied Linguistics and African Studies.

Dual-Title Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Asian Studies

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in GCAC-208 Dual-Title Graduate Degree Programs.

Graduate students with research and educational interests in Asian Studies may apply to the Applied Linguistics/Asian Studies Degree Program. The goal of the dual-title degree Applied Linguistics and Asian Studies is to enable graduate students from Applied Linguistics to acquire the knowledge and skills of their major area of specialization in Applied Linguistics while at the same time gaining the perspective of Asian Studies. 

In order to prepare graduate students for the competitive job market, this program provides them with a solid disciplinary foundation that will allow them to compete for the best jobs in their field. For such students the dual-title Ph.D. in Asian Studies will add value to their degree and their status as candidates. It will produce excellent linguists who are experts in Asian Studies as well. The dual-title degree in Applied Linguistics and Asian Studies will build curricular bridges beyond the student’s major field so as to provide a unique training regime for the global scholar.

Admission Requirements

For admission to the dual-title Ph.D. degree under this program, a student must first apply and be admitted to the Applied Linguistics graduate program. Once accepted into the Applied Linguistics program, the student can apply to the Admissions Committee of the Asian Studies. The Asian Studies Admissions Committee reviews applications and recommends students for admission to the Asian Studies program to the Graduate School. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the Asian Studies Bulletin page. Doctoral students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in Asian Studies prior to taking the qualifying examination in their primary graduate program. Applicants interested in the program should also make their interest in the dual-title degree program known clearly on their applications and include remarks in their essays that explain their training, interests, and career goals in an area of Asian Studies.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for an Asian Studies degree, students must satisfy the requirements of the Applied Linguistics program in which they are primarily enrolled. In addition, they must satisfy the requirements described below, as established by the Asian Studies committee. Within this framework, final course selection is determined by the student, their Asian Studies adviser, and their Applied Linguistics program adviser.

Upon a student’s acceptance by the Asian Studies Admissions Committee, the student will be assigned an Asian Studies academic adviser in consultation with the Asian Studies chair. As students develop specific scholarly interests, they may request that a different Asian Studies faculty member serve as their adviser. The student and adviser will discuss a program of study that is appropriate for the student’s professional objectives and that is in accord with the policies of The Graduate School, the Applied Linguistics department and the Asian Studies program.

The doctoral degree in Applied Linguistics and Asian Studies is awarded only to students who are admitted to the Applied Linguistics doctoral program and admitted to the dual-title degree in Asian Studies. The minimum course requirements for the dual-title Ph.D. degree in Applied Linguistics and Asian Studies are as follows:

60 credits beyond the master’s degree, including:

¹

As many as 6 may come from Applied Linguistics, as approved by the student's doctoral adviser and the Asian Studies Program director of graduate studies. The remaining credits can be taken in ASIA or in any department other than Applied Linguistics.

Particular courses may satisfy both the Applied Linguistics requirements and those of the Asian Studies program. Final course selection is determined by the student in consultation with their dual-title program advisers and their major program advisers.

Minor

A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policy GCAC-218 Minors.

Student Aid

Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described in the Tuition & Funding section of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School’s website. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to the course load limits set by the Fox Graduate School.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Learning Outcomes

1. KNOW: 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. THINK: 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. APPLY/CREATE: Graduates will demonstrate ability to design and execute original, independent research projects to significantly advance theory and knowledge in applied linguistics.
4. COMMUNICATE: 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. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the professional and ethical standards of scholarly and professional work in applied linguistics.

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