A pioneering doctoral program with an enduring legacy of research in applied linguistics, language learning, and teaching.
The Educational Linguistics Ph.D. program focuses on language learning and teaching as well as the role of language in education. Our questions and concerns are situated squarely in educational policy and practice, informing and informed by interdisciplinary theory and research in linguistics, anthropology, psychology, sociology, history, and other fields.
What Sets Us Apart
About the Program
Our program promotes the view that language must be examined within the cultural contexts and social situations in which it occurs.
3–4 courses per semester (fall/spring semesters only)
Transfer courses8 (electives only)
Duration of program5–7 years
Culminating experienceCandidacy examination, and dissertation
- Full-Time
Our faculty and students are involved in generating research on language and learning in areas such as:
- Bilingualism, biliteracy, and bilingual education
- Multilingual language planning and policy
- Linguistic, cognitive, and sociocultural aspects of (language) learning, both inside and outside of the classroom
- Adult and child (second) language acquisition/socialization
- Educational and social consequences of ethnic and linguistic diversity and superdiversity at community, national, and international levels
- Local and global perspectives on English-language teaching policy and practice in K-12 and higher education
- Multimodal discourse in social and institutional settings
- Indigenous education and language revitalization
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in linguistics and research methodology. Students customize their education by working with their advisor to choose electives from a wide range of course offerings from across the Penn campus. Introductory courses in language pedagogy and sociolinguistics are strongly encouraged for students with no background in these areas.
For course descriptions and requirements, visit the Educational Linguistics Ph.D. program in the University Catalog.
For a full list of courses offered at GSE, visit Penn’s University Course Catalog.
Sample courses
- Educational Linguistics
- Sociolinguistics in Education
- Language Diversity and Education
- Second Language Development
- Genealogies of Race and Language in Educational Research
- Issues in Second Language Acquisition
- Phonology I
- Syntax I
- Citizen Sociolinguistics
- Classroom Discourse and Interaction
- Approaches to Teaching English and Other Modern Languages
- Anthropology & Education
- Theories of Reading
- Language in Culture & Society
Our Faculty
Our Graduates
The Educational Linguistics Ph.D. program prepares candidates for teaching and research careers in colleges and universities worldwide, as well as careers in government, community, and private organizations.
Alumni Careers
- Assistant Professor, Columbia Teachers College
- Assistant Professor, Indiana University
- Associate Professor, Malmö University
- Associate Professor, University of Iowa
- Associate Professor and Chair, Adelphi University
- Director of Educational Programming and Research, Center for Cultural, Art, Training and Education (CCATE)
- Consultant, California Department of Education
- Project Director, Farmworker Justice
- Project Director, The Barnes Foundation
- Professor, Drexel University
- Professor, Korea University
Admissions & Financial Aid
Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements, as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.
Contact us if you have any questions about the program.
Financial Aid
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-6415
admissions@gse.upenn.edu
finaid@gse.upenn.edu
Katherine O'Morchoe
Program Manager
omorchoe@upenn.edu
Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.
All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.
Related News & Research
Working Papers in Educational Linguistics is a student-managed journal focused on the many areas of research within educational linguistics.