Language Education and Multilingualism, PhD
Create meaningful change in language education and multilingualism for a more interconnected world. Excel in academia, educational leadership and beyond. Gain the skills to conduct research, transform teaching and inform policy-making.
Transform Language Teaching
The Foreign and Second Language Education PhD program prepares you to lead and innovate in language teaching and research. This program emphasizes rigorous scholarship, practical application and inclusive, cross-cultural understanding. With a strong foundation in both theory and pedagogy, you’ll join a vibrant, supportive community of educators dedicated to advancing language learning.
Advancing Bilingual Education
Doctoral student Claribel González is transforming dual-language education by exploring how bilingual students' linguistic and semiotic abilities connect with computational literacies. Her research advocates for a shift from deficit-oriented views to an approach that values bilingual students' linguistic fluidity, aiming to create equitable learning environments. Inspired by her work in bilingual education, González envisions a future where bilingual learners thrive and make significant contributions to digital fields. Her insights are a call to action for educators and policymakers to embrace a more inclusive approach to language and computational literacy in classrooms.
Points of Distinction
Designed for aspiring educational leaders, this program equips you for impactful roles in academia and beyond. Gain the theoretical and practical knowledge to lead in American and international universities, state education departments and other educational institutions focused on multilingual and bilingual language education.
Collaborate with internationally recognized scholars who provide personalized mentorship to guide your research journey. Engage in the exchange of ideas with a vibrant community of experts, preparing you to contribute to the advancement of language theory and practice on a global scale.
Immerse yourself in groundbreaking inquiry processes and rigorous research methodologies. This program equips you to conduct meaningful, real-world research that directly addresses educational challenges, making an immediate impact on the field of language education.
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 72 |
| Time to completion | 4+ years |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Research Practicum | 6 credits |
| Application deadline | Fall: Jan. 1 |
Your program of study requires 72 credit hours:
- Concentration — 24 credit hours
- Research — 28 credit hours (21 credits of courses, 6 hours of research component/practicum, 1 credit of research analysis exam)
- Dissertation — 10 credit hours
- Relevant master's degree courses — 10 credit hours
Master's Degree
If you do not already hold a master's degree, you will be considered for admission if you have completed an otherwise field-relevant and highly rigorous undergraduate degree program or a collection of graduate courses not leading to a degree.
Standardized Testing No Longer Required
In an effort to make the application process more equitable, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for admissions consideration. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for two individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Sample of academic writing: A sample of your academic writing (e.g., master's thesis, professional publication).
- Statement of interest: Statement of your educational and career goals and objectives.
- Resume
Admission Interview: An interview is required to be considered for admission to this program.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
In-State Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic.
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper- based test and 96 for internet-based test
- IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
You'll find our alumni leading their field as:
- deans of schools of education
- faculty and researchers in national and international universities and colleges
- federal, state and districtwide administrators of English as a second language, foreign and multilingual education
- international school administrators
- provosts and deans of international education
- scholars in foreign and second language education
Assistant Professor
Learning And Instruction
Research Areas: Curriculum and Instruction; Educator Preparation; ESL/ENL/Bilingual; Racism and AntiBlackness
Professor
Learning And Instruction
Research Areas: Educational Policy; English Education; International Education; Linguistic, Discourse, and Sociocultural Context; Multicultural Competence; Qualitative Research Methods; Research Design; Research Methods; Sociolinguistics
Professor
Learning And Instruction
Research Areas: Cultural Studies; Curriculum and Instruction; ESL/ENL/Bilingual; Linguistic, Discourse, and Sociocultural Context; Qualitative Research Methods; Sociolinguistics; Virtual Reality
Associate Professor
Learning And Instruction
Research Areas: Access and Equity; Charter Schools; Cognition; Diversity; Early Childhood Education; Educational technology; Educator Preparation; Elementary Education; ESL/ENL/Bilingual; International Education; Learning Communities; Linguistic, Discourse, and Sociocultural Context; Multimodality, Embodiment, and Digital Literacy; Neurocognition; Organizational Change; Politics of Education; Professional / Staff Development; Research Design; Sociolinguistics
Clinical Associate Professor
Learning And Instruction
Assistantships are available in a variety of areas that change from year to year. Compensation for positions ranges from hourly pay only to a stipend to tuition remission plus a stipend. Generally, assistantships require 20 hours of work per week.
The application process for assistantships is separate from the program admission process. Assistantship opportunities are posted for the following academic year in mid-January, from offices on campus such as Campus Living, Career Services, Student Engagement, Intercultural and Diversity Center, among others.
While assistantships are limited, new opportunities become available throughout summer and into the fall semester.
Faculty Expertise
Professor Erin Kearney specializes in language teaching, intercultural competence and teacher development in language education. Her research centers on advancing world languages education in the U.S., exploring how intercultural competence can develop alongside language skills in classrooms. Kearney’s work shapes educational policies and practices at national, regional, and local levels, promoting broader access to high-quality language education. She advocates for language learning as a path to intercultural understanding, equipping students with confidence, social skills, and cultural insight.