总共需要九十（90）个学时，其中至少有66个学时的课程工作以及最多24个学时的学位论文研究。<br>学生将与委员会协商建立研究集中度。可以通过在专业领域中选修五门课程，在适当的研究实验室或研究小组中工作，进行适当的现场工作或培训，进行经过批准的独立研究和出版或将这些方法结合起来来建立研究集中度。 。通过参加研究实验室或研究小组或通过独立研究和发表满足其研究集中的学生，可以将相当于S690（定向阅读）的三门课程（9个学分）的费用等同于博士学位所需的66个学分。研究集中在研究资格考试中。
Our Ph.D. in Second Language Studies reflects the unique breadth, depth, and rigor of our department. Our Ph.D. students receive a strong foundation in the structure, acquisition, and use of nonnative language and are extraordinarily well qualified as researchers and teachers. Our Ph.D. students regularly present their research not only at our Friday Afternoon Research Colloquium, but also at major conferences in the field. They often publish articles in professional journals and edited volumes either on their own or jointly with faculty members. Their dissertation research provides the foundation for careers as successful and productive college and university faculty members equipped to engage in university-level teaching and pioneering research.