Curriculum Structure

The curriculum for the PhD Program in Applied Linguistics: Discourse in English Language Teaching, Testing or Translation/Interpreting, combines doctoral research with intensive residential coursework. It begins with eight 3-credit General Modules and three 3-credit discipline-specific Research Seminars tailored to the needs of individual PhD candidates. These courses and seminars are supplemented by extensive on-line contacts with other students and faculty members, to spport individual and group research efforts. This sequence provides a solid foundation that responds to needs generally recognized as part of the natural progression of all PhD students: from basic tools of doctoral research and academic writing, to specific concerns relating to individual projects.

General Modules (8 courses, 24 credits)

The General Modules will be delivered in an intensive format during a residential period of 10 days to two weeks, covering two modules per session. There will be three sessions in Year One. Each module comprises 36 contact hours, 4 advisory hours and 10 hours of on-line guidance.

Discipline-Specific Research Seminars (3 courses, 9 credits)
The 3 discipline-specific Research Seminars will be delivered in an intensive format during a residential period of 10 days to two weeks, covering one seminar per session. Each Research Seminar comprises 24 contact hours, 12 advisory hours and 14 hours of on-line guidance.

Seven Project Papers (7 credits)

The project papers, which will be completed in the form of take-home assignments are relevant to courses taught and give students the opportunity to demonstrate a breadth of preparation within the field.

Two Qualifying Papers (6 credits)

The Qualifying Papers cover and ultimately form the core of the Literature Review and Approach(es) to Methodology and Analysis components in the student’s dissertation.

Dissertation (12 credits)

At the end of the taught part of the course students will be required to write a dissertation on a topic that will be agreed with their dissertation committee. Advice and guidance is given in formulating and refining the research topic, conducting research, analyzing data, literature review and documentation of sources. The dissertation offers students the opportunity to carry out independent research in an area of their interest and apply the knowledge and the skills they have acquired to the investigation of a particular issue or problem.

PhD Courses, Credits & Teaching Hours