Graduate
Ph.D. Linguistics and Applied Language Studies (LALS)
The Ph.D. program in Linguistics and Applied Language Studies (LALS) prepares students for research and teaching in the interdisciplinary field of Applied Linguistics. Applied linguists address a broad range of language-related issues, to better understand how language functions both in the lives of individuals and in society. The LALS program at the 最新天美传媒 emphasizes multiple theoretical and methodological approaches. 鈥疻e offer specializations in the following subdisciplines: 鈥痶he analysis of spoken and written texts, multilingualism, second language acquisition, and sociolinguistics. Through its curriculum, as well as through close mentoring between faculty and students, the LALS program emphasizes real-world, practical applications to language-related problems and prepares students with the 21st century skills necessary to succeed in both academic and industry careers.
Why Study Here?
Faculty-Student Collaboration
Our faculty are committed to supporting student intellectual and professional development
through active mentoring. One form of mentoring is faculty-student collaborative research
which allows students to work closely with faculty on research projects of common
interests and to co-present/co-publish the findings with the faculty. Faculty-student
collaborations have produced co-authored articles in journals as Applied Linguistics, Computer Assisted Language Learning, Discourse, Context & Media,
ELT Journal, English for Academic Purposes, Foreign Language Annals, Journal of Sociolinguistics,
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, International Journal
of Multilingualism, Language Teaching Research, Research Methods in Applied Linguistics,
TESOL Journal, and TESOL Quarterly.
Faculty-student collaborations have also produced numerous presentations at international and national conferences such as the American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Conference (ACTFL), Association for Business Communication conference, the CLIC Conference on Study Abroad (for 2017), the Georgetown University Round Table (GURT), the Pronunciation in Second Language Learning & Teaching Conference (PSLLT), the Second Language Research Forum (SLRF), the Symposium on Second Language Writing (SSLW), and the International Convention of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Location
最新天美传媒 is located in the vibrant and diverse Greater Tampa Bay
area with a population of more than five million. The Tampa Bay area offers a multitude
of cultural and recreational activities year around and boasts of one of the best
international airports in the world. Local attractions include beautiful beaches in
Clearwater and Saint Petersburg, and the world-famous Disney parks are just a short
drive away in Orlando. The Tampa Bay area has much to offer. For more, visit:
Career Trajectories
Our curriculum provides students a solid foundation in multiple theoretical and methodological
approaches to studying both language use and second language learning. Through coursework
and guided and independent research which emphasize and examine language-related problems
in real-world contexts, our students are well prepared to pursue careers in academia,
government, and industry.
Funding for Qualified Students
Our Ph.D. program receives strong support from the Department of World Languages (WLE).
Qualified applicants are awarded teaching assistantships to teach foreign language
or applied linguistics courses in WLE. Once in the program, students also have the
opportunity to complete for other awards. For example, the Dissertation Completion
Fellowship is awarded by the Office of Graduate Studies to qualified doctoral students
completing their dissertation research and writing.
Courses
For the most up-to-date course offerings & curriculum requirements, please visit the current .
Meet our Faculty & Students!
FAQs
What kind of job will I be prepared for with the Ph.D. in LALS from USF? As members of an applied discipline, applied linguists are language scientists who address issues related to language use in diverse contexts, ranging from understanding language choice in professional writing, to analyzing the critical role of language in doctor-patient interactions, to understanding how people from different language backgrounds are able to communicate successfully in global business environments. Focusing on the rigorous empirical analysis of language data, applied linguists address problems such as how writers in various disciplines use language to construct professional expertise, how users of a second language can make their accent intelligible to others, how and why second language learners differ in their language learning journeys, and how to define and measure specific language abilities. The program prepares graduate to work both in academic and non-academic positions.
How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. degree? For the LALS program, the coursework requirements should take two years to complete with an additional two years for the qualifying exam and the dissertation. The program advisors will help each student determine the coursework sequence and timing.
Can I get financial aid or an assistantship? Our goal is to help all students admitted to the LALS program find funding for a 4-year period (unless otherwise specified in the acceptance letter). If a student should need longer than 4 years to finish the program, we will try to help with funding when possible; however, funding priority will be given to those students in their first 4 years of study. Based on your application, the faculty will help identify potential funding opportunities, and you will likely be asked to complete additional applications and/or go through the interview process for these positions. For loans or other types of non-USF financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
What are the research specializations of the Applied Linguistics faculty? The faculty have a wide range of research interests and specializations. For details, see the 鈥減eople鈥� page.
Do I have to know exactly what my research specialization will be before I apply to the program? You will submit a statement of research interests as part of your application package. This statement is a discussion of why you want to pursue a Ph.D. in general, along with what interests you about the LALS program. You should discuss your current research interests and a faculty member(s) that you could potentially work with. In other words, you would need to have some sort of tentative research area in Applied Linguistics that you are interested in; however, you do not need to have a specific study in mind. While the information in your statement will be an indication to the faculty of whether or not you will be a good fit for the program, the project/topic of your dissertation will not be selected until you are two years into the Ph.D. program.
How do I know if I need to submit English proficiency scores?
If you are an international student, you will need English proficiency scores for both admission and funding. For more information, please view the information in our LALS Handbook (available under the "Resources" tab on this page).
There are so many Ph.D. programs in Applied Linguistics. What makes USF special?
The faculty in the LALS program at USF pride themselves on the close mentoring they give to their students. The faculty have a long history of advising doctoral students and have many co-authored papers and conference presentations with their graduate students.
Prospective Students
Applying for Admission Applying for admission can take a surprisingly long time. The actual application document is not very long, but the other documents can be very time consuming. You are encouraged to plan your admissions packet with careful attention. Your packet represents you to the Linguistics Faculty Admissions Committee, so be sure that it reflects the quality of work that you intend to give your graduate studies. If you have any questions, please e-mail the graduate director, Matt Kessler, PhD.
Deadline for applying for admission A deadline date means date of receipt by the Graduate Admissions office or International Admissions office. The deadline date presumes a completed application packet.
Application deadline January 15thNote: Our program deadline January 15 precedes the University's application deadline. In order to be considered for admission to LALS, we must receive ALL of your information on or before January 15. International students may have earlier university deadline requirements. Please inquire with the Office of Graduate Studies.
If you do not see our program listed in the drop-down menu of the , please contact the graduate director, Matt Kessler, PhD. Do NOT choose a different program (such as English Education). Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your application.
How to apply
A list of all documents required for application can be .
Please upload all documents to the .
Additional admissions requirements for International Applicants
For information about the process for International Applicants, including the online application, please contact the Office of International Admissions.
Resources
External Grants for Ph.D. Students
Internal Grants for Ph.D. Students
Financial Issues
Testing
International Students
Alumni
Questions?
For questions regarding our PhD program, please contact:
Matt Kessler, PhD.
PhD Director of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies (LALS)
Office: USF Tampa campus, Cooper Hall 413
Email: kesslerm@usf.edu