Ph.D. In Applied Linguistics and Technology

Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Technology at Iowa State University

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 learninglanguage assessment, and analysis of language using computational and corpus linguistic methods.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of and confidence with the use of computer applications relevant to teaching, learning, research, and assessment in applied linguistics.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms for automating linguistic analysis tasks based on knowledge of natural language and speech processing programming.
  3. Formulate important research questions for guiding investigations that contribute to theory and practice in one or more areas of applied linguistics.
  4. Apply principles of research methodology to design data collection and analysis procedures to address research questions in at least one area of applied linguistics.
  5. Interpret and evaluate findings in view of their contribution to theory, research, and practice in the relevant area.
  6. Communicate ideas, discoveries, and findings to others in a professional and creative manner.
  7. Collaborate with other professionals to create and investigate new knowledge, practices, and products.
  8. 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 220 or test-out)
  • An introductory course in linguistics or applied linguistics (ENGL/LING 219 or equivalent)

Core Courses (9 credits):

  • ENGL/LING 512 Second Language Acquisition
  • ENGL/LING 519 Second Language Assessment
  • ENGL/LING 537 Corpus Approaches to Grammatical Analysis

Technology and Language (9 credits): 

  • ENGL/LING 516 Methods of Formal Linguistic Analysis (Introduces programming for linguistics)
  • ENGL/LING 517 Corpus Linguistics
  • ENGL/LING 520 Computational Analysis of English
  • ENGL/LING 530 Technology and Oral Language

Research Methods (9 credits): 

  • ENGL/LING 527 Discourse Analysis
  • ENGL/LING 623 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Topic: Quantitative)
  • ENGL/LING 623 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Topic: Qualitative)

Seminars in Applied Linguistics (9 Credits):

ENGL/LING 630 Seminars in Technology and Applied Linguistics on topics in technology and language learning, assessment and analysis must be taken 3 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 (18 credits): 

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

  • Engl 500 Proseminar: Teaching Multimodal Composition
  • Sp Cm 513: Teaching Fundamentals of Public Speaking
  • Engl/Ling 514 Sociolinguistics
  • Engl/Ling 515 Statistical Natural Language Processing
  • Engl/Ling 524 Literacy: Issues and Methods for Nonnative Speakers of English
  • Engl/Ling 525 Research and Teaching of Second Language Pronunciation
  • Engl/Ling 526 Computer-Assisted Language Learning
  • Engl/Ling 528 English for Specific Purposes
  • Engl/Ling 626 Computer-Assisted Language Testing
  • Engl/Ling 630 Seminars in Technology and Applied Linguistics (must be beyond the 3 courses/9 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 POS committee with the student (1 hour). The exam should be scheduled for two consecutive hours, based on the availability of the student and the POS 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 POS 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

  1. passing an oral examination in a foreign language, conducted under the supervision of the student’s POS 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
  2. passing a reading/translation test, translating published work in applied linguistics from a foreign language into English or
  3. 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; 115 Duolingo (only approved through Spring 2025 entry term admission cycle). 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.