PhD Spanish Linguistics at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in Spanish linguistics offers advanced interdisciplinary graduate training that combines key areas in second language acquisition and teaching, applied linguistics, heritage language research and pedagogy, sociolinguistics and bilingualism. With the supportive guidance from your advisor, you are well prepared for a productive career in the discipline of Hispanic studies.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a foreign language exam, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (3 credit hours) SPA 543 Structure of Spanish (3) Track (9 credit hours) Electives or Research (41 credit hours) Other Requirements (19 credit hours) COE 502 Introduction to Data Analysis (3) GRD 791 Seminar: Preparing Future Faculty and Scholars (PFx) (1) SPA 544 Spanish Phonology (3) SPA 546 Heritage Language Pedagogy (3) SPA 598 Topic: Research Methods for Linguists (3) SPA 598 Topic: Sociolinguistics (3) SPA 598 Topic: Spanish Second Language Acquisition (3) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SPA 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Students choose from two available tracks: Spanish heritage studies and sociolinguistics, or second language acquisition and teaching.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared to enter an academic profession (teacher, scholar) or a profession outside academia. Professionals with the valued skills developed through this program can confidently move into business, diplomatic, government or international fields. Career examples: editor, foreign language and linguistics teacher or professor, instructional design coordinator, interpreter or translator, lawyer, reporter or correspondent, social or community service manager, teacher or professor of area, ethnic or cultural studies.

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 in Spanish or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts three letters of recommendation personal statement written statement professional resume proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

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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