COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Learn more about the Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics.

About the Program

The interdisciplinary PhD program in Education, with a concentration in Applied Linguistics, prepares students to study ways in which languages – and, in particular, second or additional languages – are used, taught and learned in today's increasingly globalized and multilingual world. The program promotes significant research on the teaching, learning and testing of additional languages, including but not limited to English, and on the interaction between language ideologies and practices in multilingual communities and societies. Students gain theoretical grounding, research experiences and academic skills that prepare them for academic research positions and other academic and practice-oriented positions.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location: Japan

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The program is designed to be completed part-time by working professionals, and courses are offered at times to accommodate working professionals. The length of time to complete the doctoral degree program varies depending on the number of courses taken each term.

Job Prospects: Graduates are prepared for academic research positions in the areas of Applied Linguistics, Second and Foreign Language Education, and TESOL, as well as for other academic and practice-oriented positions.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:
Winter: August 26

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who can provide insight into your abilities and talents, as well as comment on your aptitude for graduate study. The letters should be signed by each evaluator and dated. 

Statement of Goals: 

Write a 500-to 1,000-word, double-spaced statement in autobiographical style that explains your interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in education. The statement should outline the following areas: 

• A research project you would like to pursue while at Temple; 
• Why the project is of interest to you, and; 
• How the project is of scholastic importance. 

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Native speakers of English must submit a score taken within 5 years prior to application. Candidates are expected to score above the 50th percentile.  

TOEFL or IELTS: Non-native speakers of English must submit a score of at least 600 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 100 on the iBT (Internet-based TOEFL), or 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

Official transcripts in English: Submit official transcripts of every college and university attended, including Temple University, which should be addressed to Temple University. Transcripts from all institutions attended must be included even if the credits have been transferred and are shown on the transcript of a receiving college or university.  

Foreign transcripts (except for those issued by schools in the United States and Japan) require a formal evaluation before an admission decision can be made. To expedite this process, use the WES evaluation service (http://www.wes.org). The WES Report will be sent to TUJ directly. 

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 48

Required Courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Applied Linguistics Concentration Courses		18
Research Methods Courses
Quantitative Methods Courses		6
Qualitative Methods Courses		6
Research Methods Courses		6
Culminating Courses 1		12
EDUC 9991	Research Apprenticeship
EDUC 9994	Preliminary Examination Preparation
EDUC 9998	Dissertation Proposal Design
EDUC 9999	Doctor of Education Dissertation
Total Credit Hours		48

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Of the 12 credits overall, a minimum of 6 credits of EDUC 9991 and 2 credits of EDUC 9999 must be taken.

Culminating Events:

Preliminary Examination: The preliminary examination assesses the candidate's breadth of knowledge within the area of Applied Linguistics and the areas covered in core courses. It is a one-week written take-home examination. Usually, candidates are not permitted to take this examination until they have completed the course requirements.

Proposal with Oral Defense: Candidates for the doctorate are required to prepare a dissertation proposal. Candidates must have an oral defense of their dissertation proposal with three committee members. The revised proposal must be approved and signed by the sponsoring committee.

Dissertation with Oral Defense: The doctoral dissertation is an original study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of their primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standards of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of business; and be prepared for publication in an academic journal.

Candidates who have fulfilled all other requirements will, on the recommendation of the major professor and other members of the sponsoring committee, be admitted to the final doctoral dissertation examination. This examination is conducted by a minimum of four committee members.

Contacts

Department Contacts: