TESOL EdD

Doctor of Education in TESOL

Conduct groundbreaking scholarly research and make a global impact as a leader in the field with this 90-point Doctor of Education in TESOL, PK-12.

A graduate student smiles while she makes a point in a discussion with her peers at TC.

Admission Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.

Doctor of Education

Points/Credits: 75
Entry Terms: Fall
Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based

Application Deadlines

Entry Term Available	Priority Deadlines	Final Deadlines	Extended Deadlines
Spring	N/A	N/A	N/A
Summer	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fall	December 1, 2024	April 1, 2025	N/A

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

	Requirement
	Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume
	Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed
	Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)
	$75 Application Fee
	Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
	Video essay required (included in online application)
	Academic Writing Sample
	English Proficiency exam required for all non-native English speakers, see program website for acceptable exams and score minimum

For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.

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Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.

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The Applied Linguistics and TESOL Program offers a Doctor of Education degree with four areas of specialization: language use, second language acquisition, second language assessment, and language and technology. Please see the descriptions for each of these areas of specialization below.

Students who did not receive their M.A. or Ed.M. from Teachers College will be expected to complete all the required courses or their equivalent for the M.A./Ed.M programs in Applied Linguistics or TESOL at Teachers College.

Doctoral students have five types of requirements: (1) doctoral candidacy requirements, (2) area of specialization course requirements, (3) elective courses, (4) out-of-program breadth courses, (5) research methodology and statistics courses. All course decisions must be made in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Transfer Courses (30 or 45 credits ):

Students with an M.A. or Ed.M. from Teachers College can use up to 45 prior-to-TC credits toward their Ed.D. program. Students from other institutions may be eligible to transfer up to 30 points from previous graduate study at an accredited institution. All points transferred must be from coursework relevant to the degree program enrolled in, and any transfer of credits must meet the approval of the student's faculty advisor.

Candidacy Requirements for All Ed.D. Students (Minimum 15 credits ; courses may be taken several times):

A&HL 5507: Research paper in applied linguistics (3)
A&HL 6507-A: Doctoral seminar in applied linguistics (3) (Closed-Book Certification Exam)
A&HL 6507-B: Doctoral seminar in applied linguistics (3) (Qualifying Paper/Pilot Study)
A&HL 7507: Dissertation seminar in applied linguistics (3) (Dissertation Proposal)
A&HL 8907: Dissertation advisement in TESOL and applied linguistics (0) (Dissertation Submission)

When doctoral students reach approximately 50 credits in the program and have been at Teachers College for at least one year, they may register for a doctoral seminar every semester pending advisor’s approval.

Doctoral preparation involves four successive stages:

Developing a critical understanding of the research literature in a given area (5507 Research Paper; 6507 Part A: Certification Exam)
Conceptualizing and carrying out a pilot study in the area of inquiry (6507 Part B: Qualifying Paper)
Writing a dissertation proposal in the area of inquiry (7507 Dissertation Proposal)
Carrying out the study and writing the dissertation (8900 Dissertation Submission)

Doctoral students are required to demonstrate research preparedness in a substantive area by passing the research paper at the 5507 level; the certification exam and pilot study at the 6507 level; the dissertation proposal at the 7507 level; and the completed dissertation at the 8000 level. Students are expected to make steady and continuous progress toward the degree. Students who fail to make timely progress may be asked to leave the program. Timely progress will be determined by the program faculty.

Students who receive less than a B+ on the 5507 paper will be terminated from the doctoral program, and will receive an Ed.M. degree if their 5507 paper is of acceptable quality. Students may retake 6507 part A or B one time. If students do not pass the proposal or the proposal defense, they will be asked to leave the program. In the event of a failed dissertation defense, faculty may petition the Ed.D committee to permit one additional retake, if extraordinary circumstances apply.

Doctor of Education in Applied Linguistics or TESOL (75 credits ; Second Language Acquisition Area of Specialization)

The second language acquisition area of specialization requires a minimum of 75 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. It has five types of requirements: (1) doctoral candidacy requirements (listed above), (2) specialization-specific courses, (3) elective courses, (4) out-of-program breadth courses, and (5) research methodology and statistics courses.

Specialization-Specific Courses (6-15 credits ):

A&HL 4087: Introduction to second language acquisition (3)
A&HL 5008: Learner language analysis (3)
A&HL 5087: Second language acquisition in the classroom (3)
A&HL 5097: Task-based Language teaching (3)
A&HL 6087: Advanced second language acquisition (3)
Various topics courses (3)

Research Methodology and Statistics Courses (3-6 credits ):

A&HL 5575: Research literacy in applied linguistics and TESOL (3)
Three courses from the following:

A&HL 6000: Second language test validation (3)
A&HL 6040: Classroom-based language assessment (3)
A&HL 6060: Generalizability theory for second language testing (3)
A&HL 6089: Second language performance assessment (3)
C&T 5502: Introduction to qualitative research in curriculum and teaching (3)
HUDM 4050: Introduction to measurement (3)
HUDM 4122: Probability and statistical inference (3)
HUDM 5122: Applied regression analysis (3)
HUDM 5123: Linear models and experimental design (3)
ITSF 4092: Qualitative research and evaluation in international education (3)
ITSF 5000: Methods of inquiry: Ethnography and participant observation (3)
ITSF 5001: Ethnography and participant observation: Structural and interpretive analysis (3)
ITSF 5002: Ethnography and participant observation: Comparative and qualitative analysis (3)
ORLJ 4009: Understanding behavioral research (3)

Elective courses in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (3-6 credits ):

A&HL 4104: Discourse analysis (3)
A&HL 4105: Conversation analysis (3)
A&HL 5020: Interactional sociolinguistics (3)
A&HL 5105: Classroom discourse (3)
A&HL 6031: Advanced conversation analysis (3)
A&HL 4090: Introduction to Corpus Linguistics (3)
A&HL 5090: Computational Linguistics for Applied Linguists (3)
A&HL 5515: Adv.Topics: Applied Linguistics I: Introduction to Corpus Linguistics (3)
A&HL 4089: Teaching writing to ESL students (3)
A&HL 5011: Technology-based language teaching and material design (3)
A&HL 5199: Topics in language assessment (3)
A&HL 6000: Second language test validation (3)
A&HL 6040: Classroom-based language assessment (3)
A&HL 6060: Generalizability theory for second language assessment research (3)
A&HL 6089: Second language performance assessment (3)

Out-of-program breadth courses (3 credits ):

BBS 5068: Brain and behavior I (2)
BBS 5069: Brain and behavior II (2)
HBSK 4074: Development of reading comprehension strategies and study skills (2-3)
HBSK 5096: Psychology of memory (2-3)
HUDK 4015: Psychology of thinking (2-3)
HUDK 4029: Human cognition and learning (2-3)
HUDK 4035: Technology and human development (2-3)
HUDK 4080: Educational psychology (2-3)
HUDK 5021: Personality development and socialization in childhood (2-3)
HUDK 5023: Cognitive development (2-3)
HUDK 5024: Language development (2-3)
HUDK 5025: Spatial thinking (2-3)
HUDK 5029: Personality development and socialization across the lifespan (2-3)
HUDK 5030: Visual explanations (2-3)
HUDK 5039: Design of intelligent learning environments (2-3)
HUDK 5090: Psychology of language and reading (2-3)
MSTU 4133: Cognition and computers (2-3)

Transfer Courses (30-up to 45 credits, see above)

Candidacy Requirements (15 credits, see above)

Doctor of Education in Applied Linguistics or TESOL ( 75 credits; The Second Language Assessment Area of Specialization)

The second language assessment area of specialization requires a minimum of 75 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. It has five types of requirements: (1) doctoral candidacy requirements (listed above), (2) specialization-specific courses, (3) elective courses, (4) out-of-program breadth courses, and (5) research and statistics courses.

Specialization-Specific Courses (15 points):

A&HL 5512: Historical changes in language testing research (3)
A&HL 6040: Classroom-based language assessment (3)
Three courses from the following:

A&HL 5199: Topics in language assessment (3)
A&HL 6089: Second language performance assessment (3)
A&HL 6000 : Second language test validation (3)
A&HL 6060: Generalizability theory for L2 testing research (3)
A&HL 6407: Internship in applied linguistics and TESOL: Assessment lab (3)

Research Methods and Statistics Courses (6 points):

A&HL 5575: Research literacy in applied linguistics and TESOL (3)
HUDM 4050: Introduction to measurement (3)
HUDM 4122: Probability and statistical inference (3)
HUDM 5122: Applied regression analysis (3)
One or more from the following depending on the dissertation topic:

HUDM 5123: Linear models and experimental design (3)
HUDM 5124: Multidimensional scaling and clustering (3)
HUDM 6030: Multilevel and longitudinal data analysis (3)
HUDM 6051: Psychometric theory I (3)
HUDM 6052: Psychometric theory II (3)
HUDM 6055: Latent structure analysis (3)
HUDM 6122: Multivariate analysis I (3)
HUDM 6123: Multivariate analysis II (3)

The HUDM courses can also be counted as Breadth Courses (see below).

Elective Courses in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (9 points):

A&HL 5199: Topics in language assessment (3)
A&HL 6000: Second language test validation (3)
A&HL 6040: Classroom-based language assessment (3)
A&HL 6060: Generalizability theory for second language assessment research (3)
A&HL 6089: Second language performance assessment (3)
A&HL 4104: Discourse analysis (3)
A&HL 4105: Conversation analysis (3)
A&HL 5020: Interactional sociolinguistics (3)
A&HL 5105: Classroom discourse (3)
A&HL 6031: Advanced conversation analysis (3)
A&HL 5087: Second language acquisition in the classroom (3)
A&HL 6087: Advanced second language acquisition (3)
A&HL 6097: Task-based language teaching (3)
A&HL 4090: Introduction to Corpus Linguistics (3)
A&HL 5090: Computational Linguistics for Applied Linguists
A&HL 5515: Adv.Topics: Applied Linguistics I: Introduction to Corpus Linguistics (3)
A&HL 4089: Teaching writing to ESL students (3)
A&HL 5011: Technology-based language teaching and material design (3)

Courses can be taken at an affiliate campus in the Columbia University community with advisor’s approval.

Out-of-Program Breadth Courses (6 points):

HUDM 5123: Linear models and experimental design (3)
HUDM 5124: Multidimensional scaling and clustering (3)
HUDM 6030: Multilevel and longitudinal data analysis (3)
HUDM 6051: Psychometric theory I (3)
HUDM 6052: Psychometric theory II (3)
HUDM 6055: Latent structure analysis (3)
HUDM 6122: Multivariate analysis I (3)
HUDM 6123: Multivariate analysis II (3)
HUDK 4035: Technology and human development (2-3)
HUDK 4074: Reading comprehension strategies and study skills (2-3)
HUDK 4080: Educational psychology (2-3)
HUDK 5023: Cognitive development (2-3)
HUDK 5024: Language development (2-3)
MSTU 4036: Hypermedia and education (2-3)
HUDK 4029: Cognition and learning (2-3)
MTSU 4133: Cognition and computers (2-3)

Transfer Courses (up to 45 points, see above)

Candidacy Requirements (15 points, see above)

Doctor of Education in Applied Linguistics or TESOL (75 pts; The Language Use Area of Specialization)

The language use Area of Specialization requires a minimum of 75 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. This Area of Specialization has five types of requirements: (1) doctoral candidacy requirements (listed above), (2) Area of Specialization course requirements, (3) elective courses, (4) required out-of-program breadth courses, and (5) research and statistics courses.

Area of Specialization Requirements for Language Use (9 points):

A&HL 4020: Interactional sociolinguistics (3)
A&HL 4104: Discourse analysis (3)
A&HL 4105: Conversation analysis (3)
A&HL 4106: Text and textuality (3)
A&HL 5105: Classroom discourse (3)
A&HL 5106: Language Socialization (3)
A&HL 6031: Advanced conversation analysis (3)
Various topics courses (3)

Research Methods and Statistics Requirements for Language Use (6 points minimum):

To ensure that students have the skills to do scholarly research in an Area of Specialization, they are required to take a minimum of 6 points in research methods, statistics, and measurement. Depending on the type of dissertation, they may be asked to take additional courses in linguistic analysis, qualitative methods, or quantitative methods.

A&HL 5575: Research literacy in applied linguistics and TESOL (3)
One course from the following:

HUDM 4122: Probability and statistical inference (3)
ITSF 5000: Methods of inquiry: Ethnography and participant observation (3)
Additional courses chosen with advisor's approval

Elective Courses (Must have advisor’s written approval)

A&HL 4101: Phonetics and phonology (3)
A&HL 5085: Advanced syntax (3)
A&HL 5008: Interlanguage analysis (3)
A&HL 5087: Second language acquisition in the classroom (3)
A&HL 6087: Advanced second language acquisition (3)
A&HL 6097: Task-based language teaching (3)
A&HL 4089: Teaching writing to ESL students (3)
A&HL 5011: Technology-based language teaching and material design (3)
A&HL 5090: Introduction to Corpus Linguistics (3)
A&HL 5199: Topics in language assessment (3)
A&HL 5512: Historical perspectives on language testing research (3)
A&HL 5519: Instructed second language acquisition and assessment (3)
A&HL 6000: Second language test validation (3)
A&HL 6040: Classroom-based language assessment (3)
A&HL 6060: Generalizability theory for second language assessment research (3)
A&HL 6089: Second language performance assessment (3)
Various topic courses (3)
A&HL 6090 Computational linguistics for Applied Linguistics (3)

Out-of-Program Breadth Courses (6 points total, chosen with advisor's approval). Below is just a sample:

ITSF 5003: Communication and Culture (3)
ITSF 5016: Ethnography of education (3)

Transfer Courses (up to 45 points; see above) Candidacy Requirements (15 points; see above)

The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Applied Linguistics or TESOL Language & Technology Area of Specialization is designed to help students prepare for academic research and career opportunities at the intersection of linguistics and technology. Students will learn the skills needed to participate in research, development, and evaluation of friendly, pedagogical artificial intelligent (AI) applications in Applied Linguistics.

Doctor of Education in Applied Linguistics or TESOL (75 pts; The Language & Technology Area of Specialization)

The language & technology area of specialization requires a minimum of 75 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. It has five types of requirements: (1) doctoral candidacy requirements (listed above), (2) specialization-specific courses, (3) elective courses, (4) out-of-program breadth courses, and (5) research and statistics courses.

Specialization-Specific Courses (9 points):

A&HL 4090 Introduction to Corpus Linguistics (3)
A&HL 5011 Technology-based language teaching and materials design (3)
A&HL 5090 Computational linguistics for Applied Linguistics (3)