Program Overview

Second Language Acquisition (SLPH)

Overview

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).

General Requirements

• Statement of Purpose
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

Program-Specific Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• 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

Application Deadlines

Graduate Application Deadlines:

• Domestic Applicants:
  • US Citizens and Permanent Residents: January 16, 2026 (Fall), September 27, 2025 (Spring), N/A (Summer)
• International Applicants:
  • F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A,E,G,H,I and L visas and immigrants: January 16, 2026 (Fall), September 27, 2025 (Spring), N/A (Summer)

Facilities and Special Resources

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.

Faculty

• Carruthers, Peter: Distinguished University Professor, Philosophy; Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science; Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Doughty, Catherine J.: Professor, Second Language Acquisition; Research Scientist, Second Language Acquisition
• Gor, Kira: Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition; Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Idsardi, William: Professor, Linguistics; Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science; Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Jiang, Nan: Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science; Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition; Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Kuchinsky, Stefanie E.: Associate Research Scientist, Second Language Acquisition; Research Scientist, Second Language Acquisition
• Lidz, Jeffrey: Chair, Linguistics; Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Linguistics; Professor, Linguistics; Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science; Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Lissitz, Robert W.: Professor Emeritus, Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation; Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Newman, Rochelle: Chair, Hearing and Speech Sciences; Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science; Professor, Speech Language Pathology; Affiliate Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Phillips, Colin: Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Linguistics; Professor, Linguistics; Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science; Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Ratner, Nan Bernstein: Professor, Hearing and Speech Sciences; Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science; Professor, Speech Language Pathology; Affiliate Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Ross, Steven J.: Director, Second Language Acquisition; Professor, Second Language Acquisition
• Scullen, Mary Ellen: Associate Professor, French Modern Studies; Associate Professor, French Studies; Affiliate Associate Professor, Second Language Acquisition

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.