Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, PhD
Launch a career in academia or explore a wide variety of professional opportunities with the support of internationally renowned faculty. Benefit from hands-on internships, innovative mentorship and a vibrant, interdisciplinary scholarly community. This program is designed to help you achieve your academic and professional goals.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in linguistics and applied linguistics provides you with a deep dive into the scientific study of language and its transformative role in human society. You may study formal or applied linguistics, or a combination of both, to develop expertise in the subfields that match your research interests.
The curriculum is designed for flexibility, offering focused training in key areas such as syntax, semantics, phonetics, phonology, pragmatics, discourse analysis and sociolinguistics. You can also explore specialized topics, including Indigenous American linguistics, language documentation, second-language acquisition, TESOL, global Englishes and computer-assisted language learning. With a focus on theory and application, the program prepares you for impactful careers across a variety of sectors.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, a foreign language exam, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (12 credit hours) Other Requirement (3 credit hours) Professional Development (6 credit hours) Specialization (9 credit hours) Electives and Research (42 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The specialization section includes three courses, which students can choose from an approved list of 500-, 600- and 700-level APL and LIN courses. At least one must be 600 level. These courses may be substituted with advisor approval. Students must demonstrate evidence of competent knowledge of a natural language other than modern English, to be selected by the student and subject to the approval of the chair of the dissertation committee. The language requirement must be completed before the student is eligible to take the doctoral examinations. The foreign language requirement must be fulfilled by a language approved by the student's doctoral supervisory committee.
APL 601 Introduction to Applied Linguistics (3)
LIN 501 Approaches to Research (3)
LIN 511 Phonetics and Phonology (3)
LIN 514 Syntax (3)
LIN 515 American English (3) or
LIN 516 Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis (3)
APL 555 Disciplinary Discourses (3)
LIN 655 Advanced Disciplinary Discourses in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics (3)
APL 799 or LIN 799 Dissertation (12)
With the approval of the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree can be used for this degree. For students who do not have a previously awarded master's degree, additional electives and research coursework comprise 30 credit hours, which must include LIN 510 if the student has not taken it or its equivalent.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Critical analysis expertise: Students will demonstrate the ability to explain, synthesize and critique existing scholarship in their research area.
- Independent research expertise: Students will be able to design and carry out an original research study in their discipline and subdisciplines.
- Scholarly writing expertise: Students will demonstrate the ability to produce written scholarly work at a level expected by the profession and consistent with the degree program.
Critical analysis expertise: Students will demonstrate the ability to explain, synthesize and critique existing scholarship in their research area.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The well-considered one- to two-page statement of purpose should explain the applicant's scholarly background and training, career goals, proposed research specialization, and any secondary field of interest, and describe why the applicant wishes to pursue a PhD in linguistics and applied linguistics at Arizona State University. Applicants who are applying for funding must also submit a statement of teaching philosophy.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency. Applications are not processed without valid proof of English proficiency. Applicants should note that official scores must be sent to ASU for the application to be processed.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates emerge as experts in their fields, ready to make contributions in academia and beyond. They are prepared to teach and conduct research at a university, work on language policy, or apply their skills in the business or nonprofit world. Graduates have succeeded in roles across government, health care, legal systems, publishing and more.
Career examples include:
- computer-assisted language learning expert
- data analyst
- forensic linguist
- language policy or documentation expert
- language program director or coordinator
- language researcher
- linguistic consultant
- program and curriculum developer
- publisher
- teacher trainer
- university professor
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of English
|
RBHL 170
enggrad@asu.edu
480-965-3168
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
