English (PHD)
Applied Linguistics Emphasis
Prepare for a rewarding career in academia, research, publishing or language-focused industries with leading experts in applied linguistics. Develop the skills to become a thought leader in language research.
- Offered Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face in Commerce.
- 4 to 5 years
- 60 credit hours
- Dissertation required
- Foreign language credits optional
Advance Your Career in Applied Linguistics
Interested in a career in applied linguistics? East Texas A&M University's English Ph.D. program offers a specialized track in applied linguistics that provides both flexibility and depth. Whether you choose to study hybrid online or attend in person, the program is designed to accommodate your academic and professional goals. You'll dive into key areas such as language acquisition, sociolinguistics, language policy and pedagogy, all while conducting innovative research under the mentorship of experienced faculty. Prepare to shape the future of language studies and make meaningful contributions to the field.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
You can pursue careers in academia, language research, language policy, curriculum development and educational consulting.
Careers and Salaries
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
A Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics offers flexible hybrid online or in-person tracks, preparing you for careers in academia, research and language education.
What Will I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Language Acquisition
Study how people learn languages, from first language development to second-language acquisition, and apply effective teaching strategies.
Discourse Analysis
Investigate language use in context, focusing on communication patterns, social interactions and power dynamics.
Applied Research Methods
Master qualitative and quantitative research methods to address practical language-related challenges.
Corpus Linguistics
Use large-scale language databases to analyze linguistic patterns and inform research and practical applications.
Taking Classes
Our program offers flexible learning through face-to-face and hybrid online options. Face-to-face students can complete up to 50% of coursework online, with many courses offered in dual-modality (in-person and online simultaneously). Online courses are typically asynchronous, while dual-modality courses may be synchronous or asynchronous, allowing students to attend live or watch lectures later.
The program includes 16-week semesters, condensed summer terms (5 or 10 weeks), and intensive “mini” terms that require daily engagement. Course schedules, locations, and times are subject to change, so please refer to the class schedule.
Curriculum
Our program requires 60 semester hours beyond the master’s degree, including 51 hours of coursework and a minimum of 9 hours dedicated to dissertation research. Students begin with a general advisor, typically the Program Director of the MA/MS, and transition to a specific advisor after completing the Professional Evaluation Process (PEP). The PEP is undertaken upon the completion of 18 credit hours or two years in the program, whichever comes first, and involves consultation with the program advisor or another full-time faculty member.
The curriculum encompasses a range of courses tailored to equip students with advanced knowledge and research skills in applied linguistics, preparing them for scholarly and professional excellence in the field.
Adding Value with Certificates
At East Texas A&M University, you can enhance your degree by earning graduate certificates in TESOL, language assessment, and curriculum design, providing practical skills that complement your academic training and boost your career prospects.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Graduate Certificate
This certificate is ideal for students who either already hold a completed graduate degree or are actively in the process of earning a graduate degree and wish to earn this certificate in conjunction with their degree. In addition to the enhanced professional status that the Certificate in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) brings, this Certificate will enable the holder to meet the 18-hour SACS requirement to teach at the College level.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support, and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Salvatore Attardo, Ph.D.
Faculty
Lucy Pickering, Ph.D.
Faculty Staff
Miriam Akoto, Ph.D.
Alum
Mimi Li, Ph.D.
Faculty
Research Opportunities
Our current research includes:
Advancing innovative technology-assisted practices in the language teacher education classes. Learn more.
Contributing Faculty and Students
Understanding the pragmatic performance and perceptions of language learners. Learn more.
Contributing Faculty and Students
The study of how different modalities visual, aural, gestural, prosodic, gaze-related, etc. contribute to communication, especially in the digital age. Learn more.
Contributing Faculty and Students
Precise knowledge about language and knowledge about knowledge as formalized by linguistic semanticists are essential to develop explainable and scalable intelligent technologies. Learn more.
Contributing Faculty and Students
The landscape of second language writing is changing through new and emerging technologies. Learn more.
Contributing Faculty and Students
Researchers study the speech patterns of AAC and non-AAC users and how that impacts their ability to do their jobs as they increase the number of valid, reliable studies available. Learn more.
Contributing Faculty and Students
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
Back to menuOn-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Back to menuCost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- GPA minimum 2.5
- Master’s degree in English or related field
Admission Process
Deadlines
Fall admission consideration: ApplyTexas application due May 1. All documents due May 15.
Spring admission consideration: ApplyTexas Application due November 15. All documents due Dec. 1.
Summer admission consideration: ApplyTexas Application due April 1. All documents due April 15.
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
To be considered for admission, one of the following is required
- a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher, or
- a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours, or
- an awarded master's degree with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.
If you have a non-thesis master's degree, you must complete a thesis prior to doctoral candidacy (empirical thesis can be completed in our program en route to the dissertation and doctoral candidacy).
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Submit a Statement of Goals (two pages, double-spaced) that addresses the following questions:
- What is your area of study? (linguistics, literature, etc)
- Why do you want to study that particular area?
- What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals?
- Are there any professors you would like to study under?
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Submit a sample of your writing that contains:
- a one or two pieces of your academic prose (no more than 10 pages total) and
- a two-page statement of your background, interests and goals as they relate to your graduate work in English.
Request two signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. Those individuals should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
One or both of the references should hold a doctoral degree.
Record a video of yourself answering each of the prompts below, upload it to the platformof your choice, and share the link to your video with us via an email to your graduate coordinator.
Your video should not exceed 30 minutes in length.
- Begin with a brief self-introduction.
- What motivates you to pursue a Ph.D. degree in linguistics/applied linguistics?
- Do you think you are the right candidate for our Ph.D. program? Why?
- Have you conducted a research project before? If yes, please describe it briefly.
- What research areas would you explore and what research projects would you conduct if you were admitted to our Ph.D. program? Is there a particular faculty member that you would like to work with?
- What teaching experiences do you have?
- Are you interested in the online or face-to-face option?
- How much time/effort do you envisage the Ph.D. to require every week? Have you taken any online courses before?
- Do you have anything else you want us to know?
Note: Do not send the video file directly (e.g., as an attachment to an email). Be sure to use a platform, such as YouTube, which does not require registration or payment to upload the video and remember to check the accessibility of your link before submitting it to us (e.g., If using YouTube, the visibility setting of your video should either be public or unlisted, but not private). Visual aids (e.g., PPT slides) are encouraged but not required. If using visual aids, we would still like to see your face in the video (i.e., no voiceover presentations).
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Deadlines
Fall admission consideration: May 15
Spring admission consideration: October 1
Summer admission consideration: February 15
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
To be considered for admission one of the following is required
- a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher,
- a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours, or
- an awarded master's degree with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Submit a Statement of Goals (two pages, double-spaced) that addresses the following questions:
- What is your area of study? (linguistics, literature, etc)
- Why do you want to study that particular area?
- What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals?
- Are there any professors you would like to study under?
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
- a one or two pieces of your academic prose (no more than 10 pages total) and
- a two-page statement of your background, interests, and goals as they relate to your graduate work in English.
Request two signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. Those individuals should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
One or both of the references should hold a doctoral degree.
Record a video of yourself answering each of the prompts below, upload it to the platform of your choice, and share the link to your video with us via an email to your graduate coordinator.
Your video should not exceed 30 minutes in length.
- Begin with a brief self-introduction.
- What motivates you to pursue a Ph.D. degree in linguistics/applied linguistics?
- Do you think you are the right candidate for our Ph.D. program? Why?
- Have you conducted a research project before? If yes, please describe it briefly.
- What research areas would you explore and what research projects would you conduct if you were amitted to our Ph.D. program? Is there a particular faculty member that you would like to work with?
- What teaching experiences do you have?
- Are you interested in the online or face-to-face option?
- How much time/effort do you envisage the Ph.D. to require every week? Have you taken any online courses before?
- Do you have anything else you want us to know?
Note: Do not send the video file directly (e.g., as an attachment to an email). Be sure to use a platform, such as YouTube, which does not require registration or payment to upload the video and remember to check the accessibility of your link before submitting it to us (e.g., If using YouTube, the visibility setting of your video should either be public or unlisted, but not private). Visual aids (e.g., PPT slides) are encouraged but not required. If using visual aids, we would still like to see your face in the video (i.e., no voiceover presentations).
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
See the Office of International Program's “Confirmation of Financial Resource” for more details.
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to East Texas A&M University:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of Literature and Languages
- 903.468.3260
- [email protected]