PH.D. IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS
College of Languages and Translation • King Khalid University
Program Overview
Welcome to the Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics program at the College of Languages and Translation, King Khalid University. This rigorous program offers a deep exploration of linguistic theories, advanced research methodologies, and the contemporary applications of language study. Graduates will develop specialized expertise across diverse areas, including second language acquisition, language assessment, language technology, psycholinguistics, and discourse analysis, preparing them for leading roles in academia and research.
The Ph.D. program is structured across six progressive levels, guiding you from foundational knowledge to independent scholarly research. Level 1 establishes a robust theoretical and methodological base through courses in Advanced Topics in Applied Linguistics, Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, Advanced Academic Writing, and Language Assessment and Testing. Progressing to Level 2, you will delve into Language Acquisition, Applied Statistics in Language Research, Advanced Issues in Psycholinguistics, and Modern Technologies in Language Learning. Level 3 focuses on applied research skills with Designing and Conducting Research, alongside two specialized elective courses chosen from areas like language policy, sociolinguistics, second language teaching, curriculum design, or multimodal discourse analysis, allowing for tailored academic development.
The subsequent three levels are dedicated to your doctoral dissertation. Level 4 initiates this capstone project, focusing on proposal development and laying the groundwork for your original research. Level 5 is characterized by intensive research, data collection, analysis, and substantial chapter writing under close faculty guidance. Finally, Level 6 culminates in the completion, refinement, and defense of your dissertation. It is at this stage, upon successful defense, that the 10 credit hours for this significant scholarly work are awarded, signifying your original contribution to the field of applied linguistics by applying accumulated skills and theoretical insights to a novel research question.
Student Resources
We understand that pursuing a Ph.D. is a significant undertaking, and we are committed to providing our students with the resources they need to succeed. That's why we offer the following resources to support students in the program:
These resources are designed to help students navigate the requirements of the program and prepare for their comprehensive exam, research, and dissertation defense. We are committed to supporting our students throughout their academic journey and helping them achieve their goals in the field of applied linguistics.
Program Process
Coursework
Complete all required courses covering foundational and specialized topics in applied linguistics.
Comprehensive Examination
After completing the required coursework, students become eligible to take the comprehensive exam, which includes both written and oral components. Passing both components is mandatory before beginning the dissertation.
Dissertation Proposal
Develop and defend a dissertation proposal outlining your research question, methodology, and significance to the field.
Dissertation Research and Defense
Conduct independent research on your approved topic and defend your dissertation before a committee of faculty members.
If you are interested in advancing your knowledge and skills in applied linguistics, we encourage you to consider our Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics program at the College of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University.
Contact Us
Please contact Vice Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Prof. Fakieh Alrabai, for any questions, comments or general inquiries.