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PhD, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

PhD, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

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 54-credit PhD in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages enables you to explore language development and multilingual education through intensive study and original research into language education and development, pedagogy, and multilingualism and multiliteracy. You’ll emerge well-equipped to pursue a career in academic, multilingual, and bicultural settings.

Core Course Sequence

You’ll take courses in the foundations of Teaching English to speakers of other languages, cognate areas of interest, research methodology, and dissertation research and preparation. You’ll receive extensive faculty mentoring, allowing you to engage in a highly individualized curriculum that gives you both the flexibility and the resources and guidance to pursue a specialized research interest such as intercultural communication, research methodologies and educational foundations. The program culminates in a written dissertation. 

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Proseminar
TCHL-GE 3037Prosem I Teach/Learn3
Other Requirements
Foundations Course6
Qualitative Research Methods3
Quantitative Research Methods3
Research Independent Study0
Research Methods9
Cognate Course6
Dissertation Proposal Seminar3
Specialized Methodology Course3
Specialized Electives18
Total Credits54

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 serves as the final stage of the doctoral process.

Sample Plan of Study

Please note that Foundations, Specialized Electives, and Cognate courses can be taken in different sequences, based on availability of course offerings and by advisement. Students take between 9 and 12 credits a semester, so their progress across semesters varies from this sample. Students can also use a full time equivalence to remain full-time with fewer than 9 credits in semesters when they are devoting significant time to benchmarks and other research work.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 3
Qualitative Research Methods 3
Quantitative Research Methods 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
Specialized Elective 3
Foundations Course 3
Research Methods 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
Research Methods 3
Foundations Course 3
Cognate Course 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
4th Semester/Term
Research Methods 3
Specialized Elective 3
Specialized Methodology Course 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
5th Semester/Term
Specialized Electives 6
Cognate Course 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
6th Semester/Term
Specialized Electives 6
Dissertation Proposal Seminar 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
 Total Credits54

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.