PhD Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in linguistics and applied linguistics provides you with a deep dive into the scientific study of language and its transformative role in human society. You may study formal or applied linguistics, or a combination of both, to develop expertise in the subfields that match your research interests. The curriculum is designed for flexibility, offering focused training in key areas such as syntax, semantics, phonetics, phonology, pragmatics, discourse analysis and sociolinguistics.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a foreign language exam, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (12 credit hours) APL 601 Introduction to Applied Linguistics (3) LIN 501 Approaches to Research (3) LIN 511 Phonetics and Phonology (3) LIN 514 Syntax (3) Other Requirement (3 credit hours) LIN 515 American English (3) or LIN 516 Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis (3) Professional Development (6 credit hours) APL 555 Disciplinary Discourses (3) LIN 655 Advanced Disciplinary Discourses in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics (3) Specialization (9 credit hours) Electives and Research (42 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) APL 799 or LIN 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information With the approval of the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree can be used for this degree.

Career pathways

Graduates emerge as experts in their fields, ready to make contributions in academia and beyond. They are prepared to teach and conduct research at a university, work on language policy, or apply their skills in the business or nonprofit world. Career examples: computer-assisted language learning expert, data analyst, forensic linguist, language policy or documentation expert, language program director or coordinator, language researcher, linguistic consultant, program and curriculum developer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of purpose resume or curriculum vitae three letters of recommendation academic writing sample relevant to the field statement of teaching philosophy (teaching assistantship only) proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency . Applications are not processed without valid proof of English proficiency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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