Purdue University College of Liberal Arts
Information for
English as a Second Language
English as a Second Language (ESL) at Purdue University is offered through the Department of English as a option at both the master's and doctorate levels. There's also a graduate certificate in ESL.
Diverse atmosphere
The ESL Program features a diverse graduate student population with students from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and the United States. This diversity creates an environment where multiple perspectives are welcomed and assumptions are challenged, encouraging students to become scholars.
Internationally known faculty
Nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship, faculty members specialize in second language writing, language and assessment, world Englishes, and applied linguistics. In addition to having nearly 100 years of collective experience as researchers and teachers in the field of ESL, they edit or serve on the editorial boards of leading journals, hold offices in professional organizations, and bring regional, national, and international conferences to the Purdue campus. Click here to view faculty biographies and photos.
Interdisciplinary opportunities
The ESL graduate program encourages interdisciplinary research through its ties with the following programs and departments:
Within the English department
Rhetoric and Composition
English Language and Linguistics
Professional WritingIn other departments and programs on campus
Curriculum and Instruction
Foreign Languages and Literatures
Interdepartmental program in linguistics
Emphasis on research
The ESL program is research oriented. Students have the opportunity to explore a variety of related research topics, such as:
Current and historical studies of L2 writing instruction
Academic writing of ESL students
Academic speaking of ESL students
Computer-assisted assessment of oral proficiency
Sociolinguistics of English in the global context
Educational language planning
Second language acquisition
Qualitative and quantitative research in second language acquisition
Assistantship and funding opportunities
Various types of assistantships are available to qualified students, including:
Classroom instruction (English 106i, English 002, English 001T)
Tutorial instruction
Language test administration and rating
Assistantships include:
Exemption of all tuition and fees (except for a general fee)
Stipend for the 10-month academic year
Health insurance
Competitive research grants are also made available to qualified students:
The Graduate School makes available summer Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) Research Grants to students who are well along in their programs. Recommendation for the summer PRF Research Grant is made by the student's major professor.
Year-long Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) Research Grants are also awarded.
Course and program descriptions
The curriculum is designed to give students a theoretical foundation through a set of core courses and to build upon these with a customized plan of study for the MA and PhD degrees. As future scholars, students will define their specific research interests with the guidance of the faculty.
Application process
All applications are filed through the Purdue University Graduate School. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1 for both international and domestic applicants.
The key steps in the process are:
Submitting an electronic application at the graduate school Web site.
Requesting GRE and TOEFL test scores from Educational Testing Service (ETS).