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PhD, Bilingual Education

PhD, Bilingual Education

Program Update

The PhD Programs in TESOL and Bilingual Education have been consolidated and renamed as the PhD in Applied Linguistics and Multilingual Education, effective Fall 2026. This change will not impact applications already submitted or in progress.

The 60-credit PHD in Bilingual Education prepares teacher educators, supervisors, and researchers for bilingual and bicultural settings. Through coursework in education foundations, language acquisition, bilingualism, and pedagogy in linguistically diverse environments, you’ll emerge as skilled researchers at the forefront of new methods of teaching and learning, with a deep appreciation for all languages and cultures. As a student in the bilingual education degree program, you’ll take classes in quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as cognate courses in support of your area of interest. 

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Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Proseminar12
TCHL-GE 3037
Prosem I Teach/Learn
Other Requirements
Research Independent Study0
Foundations Course6
Qualitative Research Methods3
Quantitative Research Methods3
Research Methods9
Cognate Course6
Dissertation Proposal Seminar3
Specialized Methodology Course3
Specialized Methods or Electives3
Specialized Electives12
Total Credits60

Additional Program Requirements

In each of the fall and spring semesters of Years 1, 2, and 3 of PhD study, all full-time students are required to enroll in a 0-credit research experience course. 

The written candidacy requirement consists of either a qualifying paper or a written exam. The oral candidacy requirement will consist of a comprehensive exam scheduled after coursework has been completed and preferably no later than the Fall semester of the third year. 

Once advanced to candidacy, students then form their dissertation committees and proceed to develop a dissertation proposal.  Committees will consist of at least three members: a chair from Teaching and Learning and two additional members from within or outside of Teaching and Learning. At least one member should be in the student’s program area. Upon completion of the dissertation and its approval by dissertation committee members, a defense will be held with the student, chair, committee members, and at least two additional faculty members who did not serve on the dissertation committee, one of whom must come from outside the program. The defense, which will last for approximately two hours, will serve as the final stage of the doctoral process.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 3
Foundations Course 3
Qualitative Research Methods 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 3
Foundations Course 3
Quantitative Research Methods 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1
Research Methods 3
Cognate Course 3
Dissertation Proposal Seminar 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits10
4th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1
Research Methods 3
Cognate Course 3
Specialized Methodology Course 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits10
5th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1
Research Methods 3
Specialized Electives 6
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits10
6th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 1
Specialized Electives 6
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits7
7th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1
Research Independent Study 0
Specialized Methods or Electives 3
 Credits4
8th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits1
 Total Credits60

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GE 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.