Ph.D. in Second Language Studies

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Linguistics program offers two emphases: Applied Linguistics and Spanish. The Applied Linguistics emphasis requires 54 credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree, including 30 hours of formal coursework, 18 hours of dissertation credits, and 9 hours of coursework from the student's M.A. degree. The Spanish emphasis requires 54 credit hours of study beyond the Bachelor's degree, including 30 hours of formal coursework, 18 hours of dissertation credits, and 9 hours of coursework from the student's M.A. degree. Both emphases require 18 hours of graduate work in continuous residence.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Applied Linguistics Emphasis*
• 54 credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree
• 30 hours of formal, nonremedial course work
• 18 hours of dissertation credits
• 9 hours of course work from the student's M.A.
degree may count toward the Ph.D. requirement with department approval
• 18 hours of graduate work in continuous residence
• Required Core*
• Lin 600 An introduction to linguistics
• Lin 651 Second language acquisition
• Two core theoretical courses: Lin 603 Phonology, Lin 604 Morphology, Lin 605 Syntax, or Lin 606 Pragmatics
• One additional applied linguistics course: Lin 610 Sociolinguistics, Lin 672 Linguistic Anthropology, Lin 655 Advanced Methods, or Lin 670 Critical Issues
• Lin 690 or 691 Research Methods
• Lin 701 Pro-Seminar
• Lin 721 Capstone
• Linguistics electives pertaining to the student’s interests
• Optional Subfield*
• 6-12 hours, subject to departmental approval
• Reading Proficiency*
• Two languages other than English before advancing to comprehensive exams
• Comprehensive Exams*
• Two-part exam after completion of all core course requirements, submission of a term paper from a graduate class, and meeting the language proficiency requirement
• Part 2 is a prospectus based on the student's intended dissertation
• Dissertation*
• Book-length research project that makes an original and significant contribution to the field
• Spanish Emphasis*
• 54 credit hours of study beyond the Bachelor's degree
• 30 hours of formal, nonremedial course work
• 18 hours of dissertation credits
• 9 hours of course work from the student's M.A.
degree may count toward the Ph.D. requirement with the approval of the student's advisory committee
• 18 hours of graduate work in continuous residence
• Two Core Courses*
• One literature and one linguistics
• Required Courses*
• Lin/Span 600 Introduction to linguistics
• Lin/Span 701 Pro-Seminar
• Lin 651 Instructed SLA
• Lin/Span 721 Capstone
• Spanish electives pertaining to the student’s interests
• Optional Subfield*
• 6-12 hours, subject to departmental approval
• Reading Proficiency*
• One language other than Spanish or English before advancing to comprehensive exams
• Comprehensive Exams*
• Two-part exam after completion of all core course requirements, submission of a term paper from a graduate class, and meeting the language proficiency requirement
• Part 2 is a prospectus based on the student's intended dissertation