DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAM: Our program promotes intercultural understanding as we consider both local and global perspectives on language and literacy policies, practices, and learning. Our diverse family of students, faculty, and alumni come from all over the world including Africa, Asia, Central and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all students and welcome and honor the perspectives, cultures, and traditions each person brings to the program.
Learn more about the Composition and Applied Linguistics PhD program, including course information and how to apply.
Low-Residency PhD Program Begins Summer 2021
One of the nation's oldest and largest programs
The IUP doctoral program in Composition and Applied Linguistics is one of the oldest and largest in the United States and one of only a few programs in the world that gives students the option of exploring first and second language literacy in English.
Drawn by Strength of TESOL Program
"I was drawn to the Composition and TESOL Program at IUP. Having worked with multilingual students in a writing center setting, I knew that I was in need of more exposure to theoretical and pedagogical approaches to this work."
Ann Amicucci, PhD in Composition and TESOL, now Assistant Professor of English and Director of First Year Rhetoric and Writing Program, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Our mission: Develop your expertise as a teacher-scholar
Indiana University of Pennsylvania's doctoral program in Composition andApplied Linguistics provides students with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and research-based understanding of first- and second-language literacy instruction.
With accomplished, international faculty in the fields of composition, applied linguistics, and rhetoric, our program offers the unique experience of working across disciplinary lines and integrating research on language, literacy, culture, and writing.
Our curriculum is built on the concept of the teacher-scholar. We help doctoral students conduct innovative research and we promote teaching practices that are informed by research. Our students become accomplished teacher-scholars known for their enthusiasm, research, teaching, and publications. They enjoy careers as faculty members, literacy researchers, writing program directors, academic administrators, and expert consultants.
The Composition and Applied Linguistics program is one of the few programs in the world designed to give students the option of exploring first- and second-language literacy in English. We welcome students who wish to explore the ever-widening contexts of literacy and language around the world and who recognize the importance, value, and beauty of literacy research and instruction.
Program Highlights
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PhD in English with specialties in Composition and Applied Linguistics: see course requirements
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Two academic residency options: low-residency (part-time) or academic year (full-time for international students)
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Thoughtful blend of theory and practice: see our course descriptions
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Friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere: see our student testimonials
The deadline to apply for the PhD in Composition and Applied Linguistics program is November 1 for the Low-Residency Cohort and February 1 for the Academic Year Cohort.
Diversity and Inclusivity
Since 1975, the Composition and Applied Linguistics English PhD Program has focused on celebrating diversity and maintaining an inclusive environment that promotes intercultural understanding among our students and faculty. This commitment is demonstrated through our coursework and scholarship. Given our program's inherently multicultural and multilingual values, we affirm our program's commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, ability, migration status, national origin, or other forms of identity.
Contact Us
Gloria Park
Director, Graduate Studies in Composition and Applied Linguistics
gloria.park@iup.edu
Graduate Studies in English Office
grad-eng@iup.edu