Chapter 2. Demystifying the process

Choosing, applying to, and getting accepted to a doctoral program in Applied linguistics

Ayşenur Sağdıç | Georgetown University

Daniel R. Isbell | University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Receiving a doctoral degree is a crucial step for those aiming to research language-related real-world issues and to make scholarly contributions to the interdisciplinary field of applied linguistics. Applying to doctoral programs in applied linguistics requires a considerable amount of time and effort, and there are limited resources on how to successfully navigate this high-stakes process. This chapter aims to demystify the process by drawing on the personal experiences of applied linguistics faculty and doctoral students in North America. It also reports on the findings of a study that surveyed 60 current doctoral students’ experiences and 12 faculty members’ recommendations related to choosing, applying to, and getting accepted to doctoral programs in applied linguistics. The chapter offers practical, data-based suggestions for prospective doctoral students plotting their next steps as applied linguists.

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