Our PhD program in Applied Linguistics & Technology (ALT) focuses on English language description, teaching, learning, and assessment, with particular emphasis on issues and practices related to technology: analysis of language using computational and corpus linguistic methods as well as the study of computer technology in English language teaching, learning, and assessment. The degree prepares students for a variety of academic appointments in departments of applied linguistics and English and for professional opportunities in research and development, international publishing, and government agencies in the U.S. and around the world where English is taught and used for specific educational, vocational, and professional purposes. Candidates are required to complete 72 hours of graduate credit including a dissertation; to meet a language requirement that may be fulfilled in a number of ways (students whose native language is other than English are considered to have met the language requirement after satisfying the Graduate College English requirement); and to pass a portfolio assessment, a preliminary examination (consisting of a dissertation proposal and pilot study and written response to questions about them), and an oral defense of the dissertation.

Learning Goals that students in this program are expected to meet include:

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 natural language and speech processing programming

Formulate important research questions to 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