PhD in Language and Literacy Education (TESOL and World Language Education)

• Become eligible for high levels of teaching certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission
• Work with nationally and internationally celebrated faculty
• Our graduates are placed in top-tier universities across the country

Become proficient in TESOL and world Language Education through formal internships (in both research and university teaching), special courses, and independent research projects.

You will gain a broad core of proficiencies through the language and literacy education program's courses as well as courses in other departments and programs. Students who wish to qualify for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission T6 or T7 promotions must consult planning sheets for their emphasis area.

To receive your doctoral degree, you will take a minimum of 46 semester hours of academic credit. This includes a minimum of 30 semester hours for admission to candidacy, and a minimum of 16 hours of 8000- and 9000-level courses. Requirements include:

• An introductory seminar (LLED 8000)
• Four research methodology courses
• Diversity studies
• A research apprenticeship

In consultation with a major professor, you will form a doctoral committee made of faculty who reflect your research goals. This team charts a path through the coursework, the comprehensive examination, the prospectus, and eventual dissertation.

The research apprenticeship pairs doctoral students with our nationally and internationally recognized faculty on a range of research activities. Past students have worked on writing grants, research design and implementation, collaborative writing and presenting, and community service work.

Downloads

• PhD Yearly Progress Form
• Doctoral Program Requirements
• Journal Articles Dissertation Format

Our Faculty

A hallmark of our program is the close mentoring relationships doctoral candidates develop with our award-winning faculty. You will have numerous opportunities to apprentice on research projects, author articles and book chapters, present at national and international conferences, and teach university courses.

Our faculty have formed partnerships with local public school districts and community organizations. They also are affiliated with Linguistics, Germanic and Slavic Studies, Romance Languages, the Qualitative Research Program, the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute, and other units on campus.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start A Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the PhD in Language and Literacy Education (TESOL and World Language Education)

Applicants are required to submit official GRE scores. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores can be considered as well, but only if GRE scores are received. International applicants should submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores. While completing your Graduate School application, please include the following documents:

• Current resume/CV
• GRE or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) Please note: we can ONLY consider the MAT scores for PhD applicants if GRE scores are also received.
• TOEFL or IELTS (for international applicants)
• Statement of Purpose
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Writing sample of no more than 20 pages

Email your writing sample to the department and include your name, desired area of emphasis for the PhD program (i.e. English Education, RWCLDL, or World Language Education and TESOL), and the words "writing sample" in the subject line.

Please indicate in your statement of purpose which area of emphasis below you intend to pursue for the PhD program (i.e. English Education, RWCLDL, or World Language Education and TESOL).

Funding consideration will be given to students who apply for fall by Jan. 1. Fall is the only admissions term in which funding is awarded each year.

In addition to the Graduate School application, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• You must hold a master's degree from an accredited college or university in an area of language and/or literacy education, or a related field.
• For U.S. residents, you must submit official GRE scores. You may also submit official Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores, but those scores can only be considered if we also have your official GRE scores. We recommend the following GRE and MAT scores but will consider GRE/MAT scores in light of the merits of your entire application package.
• GRE: at least a score of 295 (if taken after August 2011)
• GRE: at least a score of 900 (if taken prior to August 2011)
• MAT: at least a score of 408
• For International residents, you must take the GRE and TOEFL, or the IELTS. We require the following scores:
• GRE Verbal score of 154 or higher
• TOEFL: at least a score of 100 with a minimum score of 25 in speaking and a 25 in writing
• IELTS: at least a score of 7 with a minimum score of 6.5 in speaking and a 6.5 in writing
• For international residents, you must also demonstrate proficiency with two languages with two languages as evidenced by
• A bachelor's degree in English linguistics and literature,
• A master's degree where English was the medium of instruction
• We recommend an undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher
• We recommend at least two years teaching experience

If you would like to be considered for departmental funding in addition to being considered for admission to the program, please complete the assistantship application and email it to lled@uga.edu after you have submitted the Grad School application.

If you plan to start in a spring semester, the deadline for applications is Nov. 15 (Oct. 15 for international applications)

To start in the summer or fall, applications are due April 1.

Complete an Existing Application