Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Linguistics

Program Requirements

The aim of the doctoral program in Educational Linguistics is to provide high quality education in the field to a limited number of qualified students. Within the program, students will be able to emphasize specific areas and dimensions. The focus and elective areas will be determined by the student in consultation with the Committee on Studies, as outlined below. The College of Education & Human Sciences and the following Departments in Arts and Sciences have courses relevant to Educational Linguistics, although candidates are not limited to taking courses only in these departments: Linguistics, Anthropology, Psychology, English, Communication and Journalism, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Spanish and Portuguese, Foreign Languages and Literature, Native American Studies and Chicano Studies. Courses are deemed “relevant” based on the research interests of the student, as approved by the Committee on Studies. For information about the range of course offerings available at UNM which might be included in a program of studies, refer to the University of New Mexico Catalog.

The coursework for this Program must meet the following requirements:

The Ph.D. requires 72 credit hours of coursework beyond the Bachelor’s degree, plus 18 hours of dissertation credit. The coursework includes the following four sections:

Other Requirements for the Coursework

• At least 24 credit hours must be completed at UNM.
• A maximum of 45 credit hours may be transferred from other institutions.
• At least 18 credit hours must be completed at the 500- or 600-level.

No more than 24 credit hours may be completed in "Problems", "Readings", or "Workshops"

Notification of Intent to Graduate.

Students must notify the Educational Linguistics Program Academics Coordinator by email ( llssws@unm.edu) of their intent to graduate the semester prior to the semester when the student intends to graduate. The program administrator must be notified at least two weeks prior to the official OGS deadline. Please use the OGS checklist to make sure you follow the necessary steps. Also, the OGS deadlines vary from year to year; so students need to check the OGS website to check for any critical dates. Students will then be placed on the Department’s Intent to Graduate listing. Graduation is dependent upon completion of all degree requirements by November 15 for Fall, April 15 for Spring, or July 15 for Summer. If the students do not complete all degree requirements in time for graduation in the semester originally intended, students must stay continuously enrolled for at least 1 graduate credit hour until the students graduate, and the students will need to contact the program administrator by email stating their intent to graduate in a subsequent semester.

Applications

Application Deadlines

Applications to the doctoral program are screened only once a year.

Summer/Fall/Spring: December 1 for a fall admission.

All Ph.D. students must fulfill the general admission requirements for both the University and the College of Education and Human Sciences, as described in the Graduate Program and the College of Education and Human Sciences sections of this Catalog.

• Degree Sought……………………………Ph.D.
• Graduate Unit…………………………….Ed Ling-LLSS
• Major Code………………………………Ph.D. ELNG

Ph.D. in Educational Linguistics Application Guidelines

To Apply

Make sure to complete the procedures described below.

1. Go to the Office of Admissions at http://admissions.unm.edu/. In your on-line application you will need to submit:
   1. Letter of intent, that clearly describes background and areas of interest and why the Educational Linguistics Program at the University of New Mexico is well suited to meet educational goals. Guidelines for writing a letter of intent are provided on the following web page under “Admission Forms”: http://grad.unm.edu/resources/gs-forms/index.html
   2. CV/ Resume,
   3. Three names and emails of three people who would provide letters of recommendation. They will be contacted to submit their letters electronically.
   4. Writing sample of your work, usually an MA thesis or research paper of high quality.
   5. Application fee of $60.00
2. Also, obtain an official transcript from all colleges or universities you have attended and ask the university to send it either via email to apply@unm.edu or via regular mail to this physical address:

UNM Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 4895
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895

International Students send transcripts to:

1 University of New Mexico
MSC 06 3850
Mesa Vista Hall, R. 2120
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

3. Prior to application, it is required that applicants meet with one program faculty member whose work is linked to applicants’ research goals. It is also strongly encouraged that applicants meet with two other faculty members, either in person or remotely.

***Attention International Students: If you are an international student, you must submit the score of the English fluency test in your application packet. The minimum scores and tests are set by International Admissions, and the LLSS department has no control over these

requirements. If you have attended a college in the United States for your bachelor's or master's degree, then this requirement is waived. Please see the international web site at: https://international.unm.edu/english-proficiency.html

Checklist for International Applicants - See current information at the Global Education Office (GEO) websiteor you may call them at (505) 277-4032.

Criteria For Admission

The Selections Committee of the Educational Linguistics faculty will review complete applications and collectively decide on the suitability of the applicants for our areas of program strength, subject to review by the entire faculty. The decision-making process will include considerations of balance of interests within the program, compatibility of applicant interests with program faculty, and the current limit on admissions. The following criteria is observed:

1. Master's degree from an accredited college or university. Formal training and experience in education is recommended, but not required.
2. A minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA (grade point average). Lower GPA is acceptable if last two years of coursework is above 3.3.
3. Admittance to the doctoral program is highly selective, and depends on how your application provides evidence of:

• Your ability to think critically about education and your professional experiences.
• Your ability to think critically about culture generally your own culture specifically.
• Your ability to do graduate level coursework.
• Your ability to organize and express ideas in academic writing and other modes ofexpression.
• The personal, community, and professional experience you bring to LLSS.
• How your interests fit mission of LLSS.
• A possible match with one or more faculty member's research interests.

Notification of Admittance

Admissions decisions will generally be made within a 1-2 month of the application deadline. You will be notified of our admittance decision by the Office of Admissions and the LLSS Department.

If admitted to a program, it is important that you contact the assigned advisor (named in the letter of acceptance) of your Program of Studies as soon as possible in order to begin developing your plan of studies.

Additional Information/Questions

Additional questions may be addressed to the program office Cecilia Estrada at 505-277-6997, or email llssws@unm.edu or to Dr. Bee Chamcharatsri, the program coordinator (bee@unm.edu). Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Educational Linguistics faculty in their areas of interest to learn more about our program and faculty.

A complete discussion of graduate study requirements can be found in the online UNM Catalog

Resources

Potential Financial Support

• UNM Graduate Studies funding
• Student loans: UNM Financial Aid
• Financial Support
• Albuquerque Public Schools Scholarships for Educational Assistants: Union EA Scholarship
• Albuquerque Public Schools tuition reimbursement

Graduate Student Association

LLSS Graduate Student Association (LLSS-GSA) is the graduate student organization in the College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS), affiliated with UNM’s Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA).  GSA sponsors a series of research presentations and is a co-sponsor of the Graduate Research Colloquium each spring in the COEHS, which highlights graduate student research.  Educational Linguistics students are welcome to participate in all GSA activities.  You can contact GSA at llssgrad@unm.edu or call Dr. Ricky Allen at 277-7247 for more information.

Educational Linguistics Listserv

All Educational Linguistics students are asked to join the program listserv. The listserv is used to inform students of updates and special opportunities, and also to solicit Ed Ling student input on upcoming program decisions. Newly admitted students should send an e-mail to the Academics Coordinator Cecilia Estrada ( estrada8@unm.edu), asking to be included on the list.

Facilities

The program administrator is located in the LLSS Department office on the first floor of Hokona Hall (Room 140), near the UNM Hospital; most faculty offices are on Hokona’s second floor. The Linguistics Department is located on the fifth floor of the Humanities Building in the center of the UNM campus; faculty offices, as well as a graduate student computer lab, are located on the first floor of Humanities. The Linguistics Department office maintains a mailbox for each graduate student in Educational Linguistics. Be sure to check your mailbox regularly for special notices or for any mail that may be directed to you through the department.

The research environment is further enriched each year by a colloquium series sponsored by the Linguistics department featuring prominent scholars from around the world and informal brown bag lunch talks at which faculty and graduate students report on their research. The two sponsoring departments also typically have several visiting scholars each year who enliven the scholarly interchange.

Libraries

Zimmerman Library located between LLSS and Linguistics, houses exceptional collections in both education and linguistics. A College of Education and Human Sciences graduate student services and study area on the main level of the Student Success Center located in Travelstead Hall is available to Educational Linguistics students. The Linguistics Department offers a small departmental library and a pleasant study area. The departmental library operates on the honor system for checking out books. This library also serves as a social and study area for graduate students. All Educational Linguistics students may secure keys to the library from the Linguistics department administrator.

Computer Facilities

UNM’s Information Technology Services (ITS) provides computing and data communication services and support for the academic and administrative communities at UNM, including a variety of computer labs located throughout campus. The College of Education and Human Sciences Technology and Education Center also provides computer facilities and services available to Educational Linguistics students. Educational Linguistics students also have ready access to the recording facilities of the Language Learning Center, which includes a state-of-the-art signed language laboratory.

Transfer Credits

Transfer of Credit. The following regulations apply to the transfer of credits toward the doctoral degree:

1. Course must have carried graduate credit.
2. Coursework must be from an accredited institution.
3. Student must have obtained a grade of "B" or better. A maximum of 6 hours of thesis from a completed master's degree or other course work graded Pass or Credit (CR) is transferable.
4. Course must be approved by the doctoral Committee on Studies and the graduate unit.
5. Course must be listed on the Application for Candidacy form.
6. All courses must have final approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Additionally, please note that:

• Courses more than 10 years old will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
• MA coursework may be applied to your PhD coursework with the prior approval of your advisor and Committee on Studies.