Students work closely with their advisers and doctoral committees in defining their individualized programs. In order to establish a common core of expertise among students, specific courses will be designated according to the background of each student. The basic preparation expected as part of their MA training is at least one graduate-level course in each of the four areas of specialization. Doctoral candidates will be evaluated by the admissions committee concerning their basic preparation at the master’s level. If any area is not sufficient, additional coursework may be required.
Beyond basic preparation, a minimum of 24 credits of graduate-level coursework is required. At least two courses must be at the 700 level. All courses taken to fulfill program requirements must be taken for credit (not audited) and must be taken for a letter grade. (The only exception to this is SLS 799, which can be taken for CR/NC only. NB: SLS 699, Directed Reading, cannot count towards program requirements in the PhD program.)
For PhD students who entered the program prior to Fall 2024, the following requirements must be fulfilled:
- At least two graduate-level courses (6 credits) in research methods
- At least two graduate-level courses in each of three out of the four subfields of specialization in second language studies (Second Language Analysis, Second Language Learning, Second Language Use, Second Language Education), for a total of 18 credits.
Courses from other departments may be taken to fulfill these requirements, with approval from the dissertation advisor. Students should talk to their advisor and the Graduate Chair to determine which courses may count towards specific subfields of specialization. Students are strongly encouraged to talk to their advisor prior to enrolling in a course to check which subfield it may count towards.
PhD students who enter the program in Fall 2024 or later must take the following courses:
- First-year seminar (3 credits)
- SLS 675: Second Language Qualitative Research (3 credits)¹
- SLS 670: Second Language Quantitative Research (3 credits)²
- A 700-level in SLS (SLS 730, 750, 760, or 775; 3 credits)
- A 700-level seminar in SLS in a different area; (e.g., if a 730 was taken for 4., any 750, 760 or 775 may be taken for 5; 3 credits)
- Any 600- or 700-level courses in SLS or other department with approval from the dissertation advisor (9 credits)
¹ Students who have taken an equivalent graduate-level course may substitute this course with an additional elective; requires permission from faculty teaching SLS 675 and Graduate Chair.
² Students who have taken an equivalent graduate-level course may substitute this course with an additional elective; requires permission from faculty teaching SLS 670 and Graduate Chair.