Ph.D. In Applied Linguistics and Technology

Our Ph.D. program in Applied Linguistics and Technology was developed to meet the needs of our rapidly changing profession in which computer technology has become integral to our work. We offer courses that allow students to learn new technology skills and use those skills to address important issues in the field. Students in our program can take courses on technology in language learning, language assessment, and analysis of language using computational and corpus linguistic methods.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of and confidence with the use of computer applications relevant to teaching, learning, research, and assessment in applied linguistics.
Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms for automating linguistic analysis tasks based on knowledge of natural language and speech processing programming.
Formulate important research questions for guiding investigations that contribute to theory and practice in one or more areas of applied linguistics.
Apply principles of research methodology to design data collection and analysis procedures to address research questions in at least one area of applied linguistics.
Interpret and evaluate findings in view of their contribution to theory, research, and practice in the relevant area.
Communicate ideas, discoveries, and findings to others in a professional and creative manner.
Collaborate with other professionals to create and investigate new knowledge, practices, and products.
Demonstrate independence and professionalism in teaching and research.

Curriculum

The curriculum was designed to provide the foundational knowledge in applied linguistics and technology as well as advanced courses where you will learn research methods for transforming your ideas into research and practice that can contribute to the new era of English language learning and assessment. It consists of the following types of coursework: Prerequisites (required prior to taking other classes); Core courses; Technology and Language; Research Methods; Seminars in Applied Linguistics; Electives; and Dissertation Research. The program consists of 72 credits.

Students are welcome to transfer in relevant courses from their MA degree. Depending on the number of courses transferred in, students typically finish their coursework in 2.5 to 3 years and completion of the degree is expected in no more than five years.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

Prerequisites for new students: a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.

Prerequisite coursework: students must document previous coursework that meets prerequisites by submitting a Prerequisite Equivalency Petition signed by their assigned program advisor or major professor. Students who have not completed the prerequisites upon entry into the program must complete them as soon as possible after admission.

A course in descriptive English Grammar (ENGL/LING 2200 or test-out)
An introductory course in linguistics or applied linguistics (ENGL/LING 2190 or equivalent)

Core Courses (9 credits):

ENGL/LING 5120 Second Language Acquisition
ENGL/LING 5190 Second Language Assessment
ENGL/LING 5370 Corpus Approaches to Grammatical Analysis

Technology and Language (9 credits):

ENGL/LING 5160 Methods of Formal Linguistic Analysis (Introduces programming for linguistics)
ENGL/LING 5170 Corpus Linguistics
ENGL/LING 5200 Computational Analysis of English
ENGL/LING 5300 Technology and Oral Language

Research Methods (9 credits):

ENGL/LING 5270 Discourse Analysis
ENGL/LING 6230B Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Topic: Quantitative)
ENGL/LING 6230A Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Topic: Qualitative)

Seminars in Applied Linguistics (12 Credits):

ENGL/LING 6300 Seminars in Technology and Applied Linguistics on topics in technology and language learning, assessment and analysis must be taken 4 times to fulfill this requirement. Specific topics vary, but seminars typically include the following:

Development of Language Assessments
Validation of Language Assessments
Quantitative Methods for Applied Linguistics
Psychometric Methods for Language Testing
Advanced Pronunciation Seminar
Automated Writing Evaluation
Evaluation of Technology for Language Learning
Corpus Linguistics Research Methods
Corpus Linguistics for Teaching and Assessment
Project-Based Learning

Electives (15 credits):

A coherent group of courses that students have selected and that have been
approved by the faculty

Engl 5000 Proseminar: Teaching Multimodal Composition
Sp Cm 5130: Teaching Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Engl/Ling 5140 Sociolinguistics
Engl/Ling 5150 Statistical Natural Language Processing
ENGL/Ling 5170 Corpus Linguistics
Engl/Ling 5240 Literacy: Issues and Methods for Nonnative Speakers of English
Engl/Ling 5250 Research and Teaching of Second Language Pronunciation
Engl/Ling 5260 Computer-Assisted Language Learning
Engl/Ling 5280 English for Specific Purposes
Engl/Ling 6260 Computer-Assisted Language Testing
Engl/Ling 6300 Seminars in Technology and Applied Linguistics (must be beyond the 4 courses/12 credits required in the Seminars in Applied Linguistics category above)

Electives may also be selected from other disciplines, including anthropology, computer science, education, English, psychology, rhetoric, statistics, and world languages.

Students are encouraged to consult with your assigned program advisor about ideas for designing your individual program. You may transfer in elective credits only if they provide a strong complement to the other courses in your program of study.

Dissertation (18 credits):

The dissertation reports original, empirical research undertaken by the student in consultation with the major professor and program of study committee. Research topics are chosen by students with advice from faculty during the course of studies. Topics are developed and refined by learning in courses.

ALT Final Oral Defense of Dissertation (Final Oral Examination)

See the Graduate POS Manual on Graduation for more details and information regarding the Final Oral Defense of the Dissertation (Final Oral Examination) and finishing up as well as resources with links to very helpful information.

Final Oral Examinations for students in the ALT program will include two components: a public talk with time for questions-and-answers with the audience (1 hour) and a private meeting of the Academic Plan Committee with the student (1 hour). The exam should be scheduled for two consecutive hours, based on the availability of the student and the Academic Plan Committee. Committee members must attend both components, which can be held in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format.

Once the Final Oral Examination is scheduled (in accordance with Section 1.10.2) and at least one week prior to the date of the examination, the student or major professor will email an announcement of the public talk to all members of the English department (using the englprofess@iastate.edu listserv). If the Final Oral Examination will be held virtually or in hybrid format, instructions for attending the public talk remotely should be included in the announcement. Upon receiving the email announcement, the department may post it publicly (e.g., on the department website or on social media), but such public posting will not include the videoconference link. The student may share the link with other individuals at their discretion.

During the public talk component of the Final Oral Examination, the student will present their dissertation project in a research talk (approximately 40 minutes), followed by questions from the audience (approximately 15 minutes). At the conclusion of the public talk component, the Academic Plan Committee will meet privately with the student for committee questions, discussion, and evaluation. The remainder of the process will follow the procedures describe in Section 1.10.2 on the Final Oral Examination.

Assessment of Progress toward Degree

Assessment is at three points: a portfolio assessment, a dissertation proposal with piloting report, an oral preliminary examination, and a final oral examination.

In early April of each year, all Ph.D. students submit an Annual Review form to report on their progress, plans/goals, and any concerns. This form, as well as other important forms such as the Language Requirement Form and the Degree Planning Sheet, can be found on the English Department Form’s page.

Foreign Language Requirement

Given the international and intercultural nature of applied linguistics, holders of doctorates in the field should have personal experience learning a second language and be able to conduct some research or teaching activities in a language other than English. Students may, however, vary with respect to the focus they want to give to oral or written skills. All students are required to submit a Language Requirement Form indicating how this requirement is to be met from the following options to receive acknowledgment on your official academic record that this requirement has been met.

Students who are native speakers of English can satisfy the language requirement by

passing an oral examination in a foreign language, conducted under the supervision of the student’s Academic Plan Committee, that ensures the student demonstrates language ability at the Advanced Level of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages proficiency scale or
passing a reading/translation test, translating published work in applied linguistics from a foreign language into English or
completing three years (or the equivalent) of college-level study in a single foreign language with grades of B or higher

Nonnative speakers of English from countries where English is not the medium of instruction do not need to satisfy one of the above criteria. The TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE score submitted for admission and the ability to do doctoral-level work in English is considered evidence of a student’s ability to use a second language for their scholarly activities.

However, to satisfy Iowa State University Graduate College language requirements, all nonnative speakers of English must pass the English Placement Test (EPT) as a graduate student or qualify for one of the EPT exemptions; if students fail the EPT, they will be required to take English classes.

Information for Applicants

Ph.D. applicants must have completed a Master’s degree prior to their first semester in the program.
GRE exam: preferred minimum scores are 158 Verbal, 147 Quantitative, and 5.0 Analytical Writing.
Nonnative speakers of English: required minimum scores are 95 IBT* (100 preferred); 587 PBT (600 preferred); 7.0 IELTS; 68 PTE. Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s (or higher) degree from a country where English is the only official language are exempt from this requirement.
*Applicants scoring below the above minimum score requirements may need to take English support courses.
**Minimum score of 25 IBT Writing or 7.0 IELTS Writing required for teaching assistantship consideration.
Most of our Ph.D. students are funded.

Application Process

The only way to be considered for admission to the doctoral program is to complete an application according to the instructions provided. Before you apply for admission to the program read the detailed information on the Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Technology (ALT) section of the English Department Graduate Program of Study Manual.

Application Deadline: January 5 (fall entry only) with applications accepted and evaluated beginning October 15. Early applications are encouraged.