Second Language Acquisition (SLPH)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Arts and Humanities

Abstract

The Ph.D. program in SLA at the University of Maryland aims to train students to conduct research on second language acquisition processes. It has a strong cognitive focus. The program draws upon the expertise of a distinguished cadre of faculty in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and in affiliate departments such as Human Development, Linguistics; Measurement, Statistics, and Evaluation; Hearing and Speech; Philosophy; Psychology; and Curriculum and Instruction

Financial Assistance

Most students admitted to the Ph.D. program will be funded, either via graduate or teaching assistantships or via research assistantship on grants and contracts, all providing tuition waiver plus stipend. Some students may receive a Graduate Assistantship from the UMCP-affiliated Center for the Advanced Study of Language (CASL) or the National Foreign Language Center (NFLC, a unit within the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU).

Contact

Kira Gor, Ph.D.
Director of SLA Program
School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

2106E Jimenez Hall
4125 North Library Lane
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.0185
Email: kiragor@umd.edu

Website:  http://www.sllc.umd.edu

Courses: SLAA

General Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

  • Letters of Recommendation (3)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional)
  • Writing Sample: Demonstrated evidence of ability and interest in undertaking scholarly research; could be published paper or M.A. thesis. (one required, up to one more optional)
  • CV/Resume
  • Publications/Presentations

For more admissions information or to apply to the program, please visit our Graduate School website.

Application Deadlines

Type of Applicant Fall Deadline Spring Deadline
Domestic Applicants
US Citizens and Permanent Residents January 17, 2025 September 27, 2024
International Applicants
F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A,E,G,H,I and L visas and immigrants. January 17, 2025 September 27, 2024

Other Deadlines: Please visit the program website at http://www.sllc.umd.edu

In addition to the University graduate library, the SLA program offers research facilities and resources to facilitate research and materials development, including a multimedia SLA Lab, the Language House, The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, the Office of Information Technology, and the Center for Teaching Excellence.

Students completing coursework with affiliate faculty in the Departments of Psychology, Communication, Linguistics, and Education as well as the Center for Advanced Study of Languages may have access to their respective resources.

Last Name First/Middle Name Graduate Faculty Status Academic Credentials Positions
Carruthers Peter Full Member B.A., University of Leeds, 1975; M.Phil., University of Leeds, 1977; D.Phil., University of Oxford, 1979 Distinguished University Professor, Philosophy
Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Doughty Catherine J. Associate B.A., Ursinus College, 1978; M.S., University of Pennsylvania, 1982; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1988. Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Research Scientist, Second Language Acquisition
Gor Kira Full Member M.A., Leningrad State University, 1977; Ph.D., 1983; Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College, 1993. Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Idsardi William Full Member B.A., University of Toronto, 1988; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1992 Professor, Linguistics
Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Jiang Nan Full Member B.A., Nanjiang Normal University, China, 1984; M.A. East China Normal University, 1987; Ph.D. University of Arizona, 1998. Associate Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Kuchinsky Stefanie E. Associate B.A., Brandeis University, 2003; M.A., University of Illinois, 2006; Ph.D., University of Illinois, 2009. Associate Research Scientist, Second Language Acquisition
Research Scientist, Second Language Acquisition
Lidz Jeffrey Full Member B.S., Northwestern University, 1990; M.A., University of Delaware, 1992; Ph.D., University of Delaware, 1996 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Linguistics
Professor, Linguistics
Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Lissitz Robert W. Full Member B.A., Northwestern University,1963; Ph.D., Syracuse University, 1969. Professor Emeritus, Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation
Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Newman Rochelle Full Member B.S., Northwestern University, 1991; M.A., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1995; Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1997. Chair, Hearing and Speech Sciences
Professor, Speech Language Pathology
Associate Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Affiliate Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Phillips Colin Full Member B.A., Oxford University, 1990; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1996 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Linguistics
Professor, Linguistics
Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Ratner Nan Bernstein Full Member B.A.,Jackson College-Tufts University, 1974; M.A., Temple University, 1976; Ed.D.,Boston University, 1982. Professor, Hearing and Speech Sciences
Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science
Professor, Speech Language Pathology
Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Ross Steven J. Full Member B.A. Whittier College 1974; M.A. University of New Mexico 1981; Ph.D. University of Hawai'i 1995. Director, Second Language Acquisition
Professor, Second Language Acquisition
Scullen Mary Ellen Full Member M.A., Indiana University-Bloomington, 1990; Ph.D., 1993. Associate Professor, French Modern Studies
Associate Professor, French Studies
Affiliate Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition