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 candidates 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.

Candidacy Evaluation

In the third semester (a minimum of 18 credits) of graduate study, all candidates must satisfactorily complete a candidacy evaluation in which they are required to present a portfolio of work completed in their program of study. The portfolio will include a transcript of the candidate's academic record, a program plan, samples of scholarly work in Applied Linguistics and related areas, and a brief description of the proposed dissertation research, showing relevant course work completed and projected. Following submission of this portfolio, the candidate will meet with the members of his/her doctoral committee for an oral candidacy evaluation. The purpose of this evaluation is threefold: (a) to determine whether the candidate has achieved a level of learning and understanding sufficient to justify acceptance as a doctoral candidate, (b) to discover what further study is required to bring the candidate to the competence required for the research being proposed, and (c) to secure approval of a program of course work and independent study to achieve the requisite competence. The particulars of each candidate's program of study and research are defined on the basis of the candidacy evaluation.

English Language Competence

During course work prior to the candidacy examination, candidates will be assessed for communicative competence in reading, writing, and speaking English. Should a higher level of competence be required, the candidate 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.

English Language Competence

During course work prior to the candidacy examination, candidates will be assessed for communicative competence in reading, writing, and speaking English. Should a higher level of competence be required, the candidate 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

All candidates must demonstrate competence in reading relevant research literature in one language other than English and intermediate speaking competence in an additional language. The additional language competence requirements may be demonstrated in a variety of ways.

Committee Composition

The doctoral committee will consist of four or more active members of the Graduate Faculty and must include at least two faculty in the major field. One member of the doctoral committee must be from outside of the candidate's field of study. Members of the Graduate Faculty with courtesy appointments in LALS who are members of the Applied Linguistics Graduate Faculty may serve as the chair of the doctoral committee with approval of the Director of LALS.

Comprehensive Examination

All doctoral candidates must pass a comprehensive examination designed to assess mastery of and ability to synthesize and integrate theoretical issues in Applied Linguistics. This examination is taken upon completion of all course work and the fulfillment of all degree requirements. The content and format of the comprehensive exam will be established by the members of the candidate's doctoral committee in accordance with degree requirements of LALS and consist of two course papers that are of publishable quality and two or three research papers based on questions developed by members of the doctoral committee. The original papers must be submitted by end of semester prior to that in which the student plans to take the comprehensive exam. The student will be given two months' time in which to complete and submit these exam papers. Within three weeks of submission of the exam papers, the student will take an oral exam based on the original research papers and the exam papers. Candidates who fail the examination on the first attempt may repeat it once. Candidates who fail the examination the second time will not be permitted to continue in the program.

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 hearing by a majority vote of the candidate's dissertation committee. A majority vote is also required for approval of the completed written dissertation at the final oral defense.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 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.

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
• 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
• Master's degree in a related field
• 3.5 graduate GPA
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores
• Three strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
• A strong statement of purpose that outlines the applicant's scholarly and professional interests and goals in pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics at Penn State
• One or two well-written samples of academic writing (e.g., M.A. thesis, course paper, published article, etc.)

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

• A minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (internet-based), with a minimum score of 23 on the speaking section,
• OR an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 on the speaking section

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

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Scholarships

Assistantships

The most common form of graduate support, teaching and research assistantships, include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. Recipients are assigned to a faculty adviser who supervises the experience. Graduate assistants support undergraduate instruction or undertake research projects. A specified time commitment of 10-30 hours per week is required depending on the unit (a half-time/20 hour per week commitment is typical). Appointments are available only to graduate students who are registered for courses and enrolled in degree programs.

Fellowships

Fellowships are highly prestigious financial support packages that typically include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. They derive from University or outside awards. Unlike assistantships, they do not have a required work commitment; they are duty-free. Recipients must be enrolled in degree programs and be registered full time. Fellowship recipients are not permitted to accept employment without obtaining approval from the unit and/or agency supporting the fellowship.

Traineeships

Training grants are derived from agencies outside the University and are intended to support specific student learning experiences in core curricular areas and research methods. Institutional awards, typically under the direction of a faculty principal investigator, afford funding to support selected students with stipends, tuition grants-in-aid, and often include a subsidy for medical insurance.