Applied Linguistics, Doctor of Philosophy
If language is humanity's most useful tool, then applied linguistics, as the study of language, puts that tool to work. The focus of applied linguistics is on trying to resolve language-based issues that people encounter in the real world (Grabe 2002). This dissertation-based degree allows students to customize their coursework and research around such areas as second language studies, teaching and assessment of language skills, corpus linguistics, grammar and discourse, pragmatics, psycholinguistics, and speech perception and production.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 60 - 109 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.
The full policy can be viewed here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 81 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Dissertation | Dissertation is required. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Foreign Language | Optional |
| Research | Individualized research is required. |
Purpose Statement
PhD students pursue a diverse range of applied linguistic issues in preparation for their careers as researchers, teacher trainers, or leaders in fields related to teaching and learning second languages, including:
- computer-assisted language learning (CALL)
- corpus linguistics
- grammar and discourse
- language planning and policy
- language testing and program evaluation
- language variation
- literacy
- register analysis
- second language acquisition
- second language teaching and learning
- speech perception and production
Our faculty work closely with individual students, helping them to develop as colleagues in applied linguistics. As a result, our PhD students have outstanding records of publication and participation in major conferences such as TESOL and AAAL. Graduates of our program have also been highly successful at obtaining tenure-track faculty positions at major universities.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the PhD in Applied Linguistics, students will have:
- Advanced critical and analytical knowledge of the structure and uses of the English language, English language discourse processes and genres, the development of second language learning processes in their diverse cultural contexts, and the assessment of both language program effectiveness and individual language proficiency.
- Ability to address issues of language learning in real world settings
- Ability to address both language program effectiveness and individual language proficiency.
- Ability to contribute to innovative and effective English language teaching practices in the State of Arizona and elsewhere.
- Ability to integrate use of technology into language instruction and research.
- Ability to synthesize information and approaches across a range of core topics in Applied Linguistics, such as language acquisition, language in society, English grammar, and the development of language curricula and programs.
- Understanding of the many issues relevant to cross-cultural communication.
- Comprehensive preparation and professional orientation for advanced research in PhD programs.
- Ability to design, conduct, analyze, and interpret original and important empirical research.
- Ability to contribute as active professionals in Applied Linguistics and related fields.
- Expertise and qualifications to contribute significantly in professorial positions to the growth and development of Applied Linguistics.
Details Accordion Closed
Graduate Admission Information
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Additional Admission Requirements
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- GRE® Revised General Test
- Two letters of recommendation
- Writing Sample
- Personal Statement or Essay
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Official TOEFL iBT/IELTS scores taken within the last 2 years are required for international applicants. Please see department website for information regarding minimum score requirements.
Doctoral Requirements
This Doctoral degree requires 81 units distributed as follows:
- Master's-level Coursework: 36 units
- Statistics Coursework: 9 units
- Seminars: 9 units
- Graduate Electives: 12 units
- Dissertation: 15 units
Take the following 81 units:
Master's-level Coursework (36 units)
- Coursework relevant to your research interests. (36 units)
Seminars (9 units)
Graduate Electives (12 units)
- Graduate electives, chosen in consultation with your dissertation committee. (12 units)
Dissertation (15 units)
- ENG 799, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved dissertation (15 units)
- 15 units of dissertation credit may be applied to your degree; however, you may end up taking additional units since you must enroll each term while you're working on your dissertation.
Additional Information
In addition, you must:
- Complete a screening process.
- Complete a qualifying exam.
- Fulfill Northern Arizona University's residency requirements (For more information about residency and other requirements that pertain to this degree, see the policy on Requirements for the Doctoral Degree, PhD.
- Pass an oral exam on your dissertation (Dissertation Defense).
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
- Corpus linguistics
- English linguistics
- Linguistics skills
- Curriculum & program evaluation
- Grammar and vocabulary
- Grammatical variation
- Language testing and assessment
- Pragmatics
- Psycholinguistics
- Research methods
- Register and discourse analysis
- Second language acquisition
- Second language listening and speaking
- Second language reading and writing
- Speech perception and production
- Spoken discourse
- World Englishes
Why pursue an Applied Linguistics doctorate at NAU?
Personal faculty-student relationships
Our faculty work closely with individual students, helping them to develop as colleagues in applied linguistics. As a result, our Applied Linguistics PhD students have an outstanding record of publication and participation in major conferences such as TESOL and AAAL. Graduates of our program have also been highly successful at obtaining tenure-track faculty positions at major universities.Students also have the opportunity to work with our emeritus faculty: Doug Biber, Randi Reppen, Bill Grabe, Fredricka Stoller, Mary McGroarty, and Joan Jamieson.
Funding and tuition
PhD in Applied Linguistics students are eligible to teach English composition courses in the English Department. Furthermore, a limited number of tuition waivers are available to out-of-state or in-state students who can demonstrate financial need. More information on graduate teaching assistantships and tuition waivers is available on our "Graduate Assistantships" page under "Resources."Non-academic graduate assistantships are available through many university-wide offices. They are awarded with stipends that vary by office, job duties, and degree-level. The NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies provides more information about "at-large" graduate assistantships.