Applied Linguistics PhD

The Applied Linguistics PhD at UMass Boston is a research degree focused on critical study of language in society. Students study bilingual/multilingual education, multilingual language policy, critical applied linguistics, social resources and social contexts in language learning, and sociocultural theory. The program prepares candidates for teaching, research, and public advocacy careers in higher education, government, community, nonprofits, and private organizations.

The program uses an apprenticeship model that combines intensive faculty mentoring with structured support from a doctoral student community. Students complete coursework and department events, including a Colloquium, Roundtables, working groups, and talks. During the first two years, a typical course load is three courses per semester (fall and spring), with classes offered between 4 and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Students and faculty collaborate on research projects, manuscripts, advocacy work, and conference presentations.

• Official transcript from each college and university attended (including evidence of a master’s degree in applied linguistics or related field, with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0)
• A current Curriculum Vitae
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should come from individuals who can assess the applicant’s academic preparation for advanced graduate work
• One well-written sample of academic work (e.g. MA thesis, course paper, research project, published article, etc.)
• Statement of purpose [1500 words maximum] that addresses the following questions: How do your research interests map onto the current faculty research projects? What practical or real-world changes do you hope to see as a result of your research, scholarship, and/or activism? What professional, personal, and academic experiences have especially equipped you to bring a critical perspective to your research, scholarship, and/or activism? And, how do your experiences as a multilingual language learner, language teacher, or language user inform your goals? (For applicants who are not multilingual, please explain your plans for developing fluency in another language while completing the PhD program.) What challenges have you experienced as a multilingual learner or a teacher of multilingual learners which have impacted your current practice? How have you dealt with those challenges?
• For international students who have not completed at least two academic years of full-time study (excluding ESL or test-prep) at an approved English-speaking college, proof of English language proficiency is required.

• Teaching, research, and public advocacy careers in higher education
• Teaching, research, and public advocacy careers in government
• Teaching, research, and public advocacy careers in community
• Teaching, research, and public advocacy careers in nonprofits
• Teaching, research, and public advocacy careers in private organizations