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Second Language Studies/ESL
Second Language Studies/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 Second Language Studies/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.
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 Second Language Studies/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
School of Languages and Cultures
Interdepartmental Program in Linguistics
Emphasis on research
The Second Language Studies/ESL program is research oriented. Students have the opportunity to explore a variety of research traditions, designs, and areas. This is evidenced by the dissertations and theses completed by the graduates of our program. [
List of dissertations and theses]
Assistantship and funding opportunities
The Department of English offers support primarily in the form of teaching assistantships. Students in the PhD program typically receive five years (ten semesters) of support; those in the MA program typically receive two and a half years (five semesters). Students in both programs usually spend their first year teaching in the Department's Introductory Composition Program. After the first year, students can apply to teach a variety of courses offered by the Department, including ESL support courses such as
English 10600-I,
English 62000,
English 62100 and to take part in ESL
tutorial instruction and
language test administration and rating
Assistantships include: exemption from all tuition and fees (except for a general fee), a stipend for the 10-month academic year, and 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.
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 January 15 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).
Organizations
ESL GO:
English as a Second Language Graduate Student Organization
