1. Background Information
1. Mission Statement
2. History and Rationale
3. Established Areas of Emphasis
4. Program Characteristics and Activities
   1. Curriculum
   2. Students
   3. Faculty
   4. Outreach
   5. Administration and Staffing

2. Information for Applicants
1. Nature and Purpose
2. Specializations
3. Entrance Requirements
4. Application Procedures
5. Admission Criteria

3. Degree Requirements
   1. Course Work
   2. Core Courses
   3. Courses in Program Specializations
   4. The Minor
   5. Statistics Requirement
   6. Independent Studies
   7. Auditing Courses
   8. Dissertation
      1. Dissertation Committee
      2. Dissertation Proposal
      3. Public Presentation of Dissertation Proposal
      4. Human Subjects Review
      5. Dissertation Style
      6. Final Oral Examination
   9. Professional Activities SLAT
   10. Student Association (SLATSA)
   11. Satisfactory Academic Progress
   12. Leave of Absence
   13. Minimum Enrollment

4. Examinations and Forms Required by the Graduate College
   1. Overview
   2. Qualifying Exercise
   3. Doctoral Plan of Study
   4. Second Language Proficiency
   5. Comprehensive Examination
   6. Candidacy
   7. Final Oral Examination

5. Advising and Mentoring Policies and Procedure

6. Student Reports and Evaluations

7. Student Support
   1. Internal Sources of Funding
   2. Time Limit for Internal Financial Support
   3. External Sources of Funding

8. SLAT Program Bylaws

9. Graduate Student Grievance Procedure
10. SLAT Courses Available

B5. Admission Criteria

Decisions concerning admission are made by the SLAT Executive Council, based on recommendations from a faculty sub-committee on admissions. The following criteria are taken into account:

• Academic record:
  • Appropriateness and quality of preparation;
  • Quality of performance in prior coursework;
  • Honors and awards indicating exceptional ability
• Statement of purpose: clear articulation of goals related to earning a Ph.D., including a research orientation;
• Match of SLAT resources to applicant interests;
• Teaching, travel, and other relevant experiences;
• Writing sample:
  • Ability to organize and synthesize information;
  • Likelihood of success with dissertation requirement;
• References: Level of acquaintance and enthusiasm, particularly with respect to academic potential;
• GRE Aptitude scores (especially for U.S. applicants) and TOEFL scores (for international applicants);
• L2 competence;
• Contribution to SLAT diversity and balance;
• Other potential for contributions to the program/profession.

C. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

C1. Course Work

Degree candidates will be subject to all requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, stated in the Graduate Catalog of The University of Arizona. It is anticipated that most students entering this degree program hold the master’s degree or its equivalent. Candidates will be required to complete 27 units of core courses (including a three-unit SLAT Proseminar) and must then choose an 18 unit specialization from among four areas: 1) Second Language Analysis, 2) Second Language Use, 3) Second Language Processes and Learning, and 4) Second Language Pedagogical Theory and Program Administration. In addition, candidates must select a minor (usually consisting of 9-12 units depending on field of study) and must complete a dissertation for a minimum of an additional 18 units. Post baccalaureate coursework completed prior to admission may be substituted for a portion of these requirements. The Director and SLAT Advisor make all decisions regarding coursework.

With approval of the SLAT Advisor, one core course may count towards the area of specialization, and one core course may count towards the minor.

Summary of Program Requirements (beyond B.A./B.S. degrees, including transferred units):

• 27 units of required core courses (including a three-unit SLAT Proseminar);
• 18 units in one of 4 areas of specialization;
• 9-12 units of minor;
• 18 units dissertation.
  Total: 66 - 75 Units

Rationale for coursework: To ensure that a student is well trained in the interdisciplinary field of SLAT, it is necessary to have a coursework plan that includes both core requirement courses and areas of specialization. The SLAT faculty believe that a SLAT scholar must have a solid grounding in linguistics, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics, as well as in the theory of second language acquisition and teaching. Therefore, the core requirements include courses in each of these areas. In addition, a SLAT scholar must be well versed in research methods, research design, and approaches to analyzing and interpreting research findings. Accordingly, research methods, design, and statistics courses are included as a part of the core requirements as well as in the areas of specialization.

C2. Core Courses

Students need to complete 24 units in approved core courses (see list of SLAT Courses Available in Section J) in the following areas before comprehensive examinations:

• Second Language Acquisition Theory
• Second Language Assessment
• Technology and Second Language Learning
• Statistics
• Second Language Research Design
• Linguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• Psycholinguistics

In addition, all SLAT students are required to enroll in the SLAT Proseminar for three units during their first fall semester in residence.

Note: Every effort will be made to adapt degree requirements to candidates' needs. Courses listed will be periodically reviewed by the Executive Council and courses can be added or deleted at the committee's discretion, provided there is no change in the number of overall units required for the degree. Substitution of equivalent courses can be made on an individual basis with the approval of the Director or SLAT Advisor.