georgetown phd applied linguistics

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Lourdes Ortega is Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University, where she mentors undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students conducting research on applied linguistics and multilingualism. She is also Faculty Director of GU's Initiative for Multilingual Studies , and Interim Director of the Master of Arts in Educational Transformation for the academic year of 2023-2024. Before joining Georgetown in 2012, she held positions at Georgia State University (2000-2002), Northern Arizona University (2002-2004), and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (2004-2012).

Lourdes investigates how people become multilingual beyond childhood and outside the family unit, and often through the study of languages in higher education settings. She is best known for an award-winning meta-analysis of second language instruction published in Language Learning in 2000, a best-seller graduate-level textbook Understanding Second Language Acquisition (Routledge 2009, translated into Mandarin in 2016), and since 2010 for championing a bilingual and social justice turn in her field of second language acquisition. She co-edited The Cambridge Handbook of Bilingualism with child bilingualism researcher Annick De Houwer (CUP 2019). She has published widely, including in CALICO Journal (2017), World Englishes (2018), Modern Language Journal (2019), Language Learning (2020), and Studies in Second Language Acquisition (2022). Her most recent publication is a 2023 special issue on decolonial and southern theories, co-edited with Anna De Fina and Marcelyn Oostendorp , in Applied Linguistics .

Lourdes was born, raised, and college-educated in southern Spain, spent a year abroad at the University of Munich in the early 1980s, worked as a teacher of Spanish in Greece for almost a decade, and obtained her doctorate in the United States, the country where she has lived for 30 years. These choices have afforded her a different dominant language at different periods in her life (so far): Spanish, German, Modern Greek, and English. This trajectory has shaped her professional identities as an educator and a researcher. She is committed to investigating what it means to become bilingual or multilingual later in life and across elite and marginalized contexts for language learning. In her work she seeks to support harmonious bilingualism and the well-being of all multilinguals. At Georgetown, she takes pride in mentoring her students in the spirit of cura personalis - through their studies and into meaningful research and professional lives that will fulfill them and make them useful in the service of others. She received Georgetown's Gerald M. Mara Faculty Mentoring Award in 2016 and again in 2020.

Lourdes was co-recipient of the Pimsleur award and the TESOL Research award in 2001 and has been a doctoral Mellon fellow (1999), a postdoctoral Spencer/National Academy of Education fellow (2003), a senior research fellow at the Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies (2010), and a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Graduate Center, City University of New York’s Advanced Research Collaborative (2018). She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Applied Linguistics and is currently Vice Chair of the Board; she is also an advisory board member of HaBilNet , the Harmonious Bilingualism Network. She is General Editor of Language Learning , a premier journal published by Wiley and owned by the philanthropic society at the University of Michigan Language Learning Research Club. She is President of the American Association for Applied Linguistics .

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Academic Appointment(s)

Faculty of Languages and Linguistics

“Society must require of its educational system that it guide and assist the members of the next generation to transcend the particularities of their own culture in the name of humanity.” -Jaroslav Pelikan, The Idea of the University: A Reexamination          

Georgetown University’s long tradition of fostering international understanding is particularly embodied in the teaching and learning of other languages and cultures offered by the  Faculty of Languages and Linguistics (FLL) of the Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences.

The FLL’s intercultural curriculum is designed to educate students in a well-developed program of studies, to evaluate ideas and values from a humanistic and a theoretical/critical perspective. Along with the in-depth study of the cultures and literatures of other lands and times, language studies are integrated with the various fields of linguistics. Thus, understanding the language in all its forms, styles, and uses ultimately leads to successful cross-cultural communication and more authentic relationships among peoples. The aim is to produce graduates who are sensitive to the needs of the world community, open to exploring new ways to improve life, and ready to approach problems with an intercultural perspective.

The FLL offers a full academic program in foreign languages, culture and literature studies, as well as in linguistics. Students may major in Arabic, Chinese, Classical Greek, Comparative Literature, French and Francophone Studies, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or Linguistics. In addition, coursework is available in Basque, Catalan, Farsi, Irish, Modern Greek, Hebrew, Korean, Persian, Polish, Ukrainian, Thai, and Turkish. 

Students who enter the College of Arts & Sciences with a declared major in a language department or program have their language abilities evaluated either by their SAT II test scores or by a departmental placement test to ensure that they begin their language study at the appropriate level. 

For more information on recent events in the FLL, please see the FLL Newsletter .  For inquiries about the FLL, please email the FLL convener, Dr. Susanna Lee, Professor and Chair of French and Francophone Studies.

Upcoming Events

About the Programs

Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies

Our program in Literature and Cultural Studies emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach in which attention to primary texts and critical theory is combined with audiovisual, historical and philosophical perspectives so that students can develop their research skills to the fullest. Our faculty cover all traditional areas – Medieval, Early Modern, Modern Spain, Colonial Latin America, Modern Latin America, and Luso-Brazilian Studies – as well as less traditional or emerging fields such as Transatlantic/Transpacific Studies, and Film and Media Studies.

Spanish Linguistics

The Spanish Linguistics program, one of the strongest in the U.S., includes courses in Applied Linguistics, Semantics, Pragmatics, Syntax, Phonology, Dialectology, Lexicography, Textual Edition, Corpus Linguistics, and Sociolinguistics. The program is offered in close collaboration with the Department of Linguistics.

Degrees Offered

Accelerated program (Georgetown Students only)

Admissions Requirements

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s  Application Information  page. Review the  program’s website  for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background & Contributions
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• Transcripts  – Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official  transcripts  from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s  Application Information  page for additional details and FAQs.
• Writing Sample (in Spanish)
• TOEFL = 80 minimum
• IELTS = 7 minimum

Application Deadlines

• December 15

Degree Requirements

M.S. in Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies

• Thirty three credits
• All master’s students must show reading proficiency in a language other than English or Spanish. The language requirement must be completed prior to submitting the Master’s qualifying paper.
• First-year exam
• Qualifying paper

Ph.D. in Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies

• Ph.D. students must have completed successfully the 11 courses required for Master’s candidates, as well as passed the first-year examination, completed the qualifying paper and received departmental approval to advance to the doctorate.
• Complete four additional courses beyond the Master’s. Students with a Master’s from another institution may be required to take additional courses or pass the Master’s examination.
• First-year evaluation
• Two qualifying papers: qualifying paper during the fourth semester and a doctoral qualifying paper during the fifth semester
• All Ph.D. students are required to teach under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
• Completion of a dissertation

M.S. in Spanish Linguistics

• Nine courses plus one elective in linguistics or a related area, such as philosophy, cognition, anthropology or bilingual education
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• All M.S. students must pass an oral proficiency exam in a language other than English or Spanish.

Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics

• Students authorized to pursue the Ph.D. must complete six further content courses beyond the M.S. chosen in consultation with their graduate adviser for a total of 16 courses (48 credits) beyond the B.A. (excluding all enrollments in Thesis Research). At least three of these courses must be seminars, which are typically advanced courses in a field.
• Prior to taking the Ph.D. examination students must demonstrate reading proficiency in a language other than English, Spanish and the one used to satisfy the language requirement for the Master’s degree.
• A minimum grade of B+ on the graduate examination

Connect with Us

Program Contact: [email protected]

Quick Links

Begin your application today!

College of Arts & Sciences

Graduate Programs

Our two graduate programs stress the development of analytical, scholarly, and creative abilities through small seminars; formal pedagogical training is also a key component. Graduate students (both domestic and international) are encouraged to present their work at scholarly meetings and to publish in refereed media, often in collaboration with faculty members. The Department has had considerable success in placing its graduates in tenure-track jobs in many major educational institutions in the United States and abroad.

The Department works with  The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to support new students entering our doctoral programs every year in Linguistics and Literature and Cultural Studies. All fellows entering the doctoral programs receive a stipend, health insurance, and a tuition waiver for five years. You can apply  here . Please note that to be eligible for a fellowship you must apply directly to the Ph.D. Program. A previous MA or MS is not required to apply directly to the Ph.D. program.

The Spanish Linguistics program, one of the strongest in the U.S., includes courses in Applied Linguistics, Semantics, Pragmatics, Syntax, Phonology, Dialectology, Lexicography, Textual Edition, Corpus Linguistics, and Sociolinguistics. The program is offered in close collaboration with the Department of Linguistics. 

Our program in Literature and Cultural Studies emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach in which attention to primary texts and critical theory is combined with audiovisual, historical, and philosophical perspectives so that students can develop their research skills to the fullest. Our faculty cover all traditional areas – Medieval, Early Modern, Modern Spain, Colonial Latin America, Modern Latin America, and Luso-Brazilian Studies – as well as less traditional or emerging fields such as Transatlantic/Transpacific Studies, and Film and Media Studies.

College of Arts & Sciences

Georgetown University Round Table

Education Abroad Lan guage, Learners, and Communities

March 1-3, 202 4, georgetown university, washington d.c..

The Georgetown University Round Table on Languages and Linguistics (GURT) is an annual academic conference that has been held since 1949 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. GURT is one of the most prestigious and long-standing conferences in the field of linguistics.

GURT’s primary aim is to provide a platform for scholars, researchers, and linguists from around the world to come together and discuss a wide range of topics related to language and linguistics. Each year’s conference has a specific theme within the field, with presentations, panel discussions, and roundtables organized around that theme.

Over the years, GURT has covered a broad spectrum of topics, including but not limited to language acquisition, language variation, assessment, phonetics and syntax.  By covering these themes, GURT has played a significant role in advancing research and promoting collaboration among language scholars.

Plenary Speakers

Invited Panelists:

Harriet Bowden, PhD & Bernie Issa, PhD/ University of Tennessee, Knoxville Jesús Fernández González, PhD/ Education Office, Embassy of Spain Carmen Pérez-Vidal, PhD/ Universitat Pompeu Fabra Amelia J. Dietrich, PhD/ The Forum on Education Abroad

Round Table with a group of selected scholars, students, and practitioners. Networking Opportunities : Connect with administrators, practitioners, researchers, and students in the field of international education. Publication Opportunities: Selected papers will be considered for publication in the GURT Series published by Georgetown University Press.

Scientific Committee

Aarnes Gudmestad Ágnes Albert Amanda Edmonds Anne Marie Devlin Barbara Lafford Brandon Tullock Dan Davidson Ekaterina Sudina Elsa Tragant Lorenzo Garcia Amaya

Gareth Mcfeely Jason Sanderson Jean Marc Dewaele Joan Carles Mora Laura Mahalingappa Marissa Lombardi Mary F. Price Nicole Tracy Ventura Patrick Bingham R. Kirk Belnap

Raquel Serrano Richard Feddersen Richard Mark Nightingale Rosamond Mitchell Ryan LaBrozzi Sara Grey Wendy Baker Smemoe Wenhao Diao Wei Ren

GURT 2024 will take place on the 1st and 3rd floors of the  Edward C. Bunn Intercultural Center , commonly referred to as ICC. Please check the complete program for specific locations.

Organizing Team

Cristina Sanz , PhD

Professor | Director, Intensive & SFS Spanish Program | Director, GU@Barcelona Summer Program [email protected]

Alfonso Morales-Front , PhD

Associate Professor | Director of Graduate Studies for Spanish Linguistics | Director, GU@Quito Summer Program | [email protected]

Yunjung (Yunie) Ku

PhD Candidate in Applied Linguistics, Georgetown University

[email protected]

PhD student in Applied Linguistics, Georgetown University

[email protected]

If you have questions or comments, please email us at  [email protected]

In collaboration with: 

Global Engagement

Global database, department of linguistics.

Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences

Learn More About Department of Linguistics

• Academic Programs

M.A. in Language and Communication

M.S. in Linguistics

Ph.D. in Linguistics

Georgetown University Round Table

Linguistics Friday Speaker Series

Linguistics Research and Reading Groups

Linguistics Workshop Examines Social Justice, Language Diversity, and Globalization

Linguistics Professor and Students Document Endangered Language in Ivory Coast

Apply to the MLC

Applications are due January 15 for Fall semester admission

There is no GRE requirement for the MLC Program. Research shows that standardized test scores do not predict graduate school performance. Standardized tests like the GRE are barriers that cost time and money and place a disproportionate burden on applicants.

To start your application, you’ll create an account at the Application Portal of the Georgetown Graduate School of Arts and Sciences . This is the only portal you’ll use to submit your application materials. All application materials are due by January 15 for a fall start in the same year.

I recommend that you view the more detailed information on How to Apply at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Application Procedure page (new window) . But briefly, here are the materials you need to apply to the MLC program:

Application Materials:

• Academic statement of purpose (500 words). This statement should address your intellectual interests, academic and professional objectives, the preparation you have to begin a program in linguistics (no previous formal linguistics study is required to apply, but we hope you show through your statement that you understand what the field of linguistics is), and your proposed topic(s) of graduate study.
• Optional statement of diversity, personal background & contributions (500 words). As Georgetown is a diverse, global community, we encourage you to upload a brief statement help the Department Admissions Committee understand the contribution your personal background would make to our community. You may wish to address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g., first generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g., community service and leadership) will contribute to the Georgetown community.
• Writing sample : About 10-20 pages of writing in either 1) an academic genre such as a research paper, term paper, or research proposal. The topic does not have to be in linguistics if you have never studied linguistics before. Or 2) A longer piece of professional writing (grant proposal, program evaluation, report, white paper, etc.). This is so we can see how you structure a longer piece of writing.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from academic or professional supervisors. We recommend at least 2 of the 3 letters be written by academic faculty who are familiar with your academic work. These letters should all address your potential for graduate study.
• Transcripts from previous undergraduate and graduate institutions. You may submit unofficial transcripts with the understanding that you will then submit official transcripts upon offer of admission. Please refer to the Graduate School’s Application Procedure page for more information.
• A TOEFL or IELTS score report: These test reports are only for applicants who have not attended an English-language medium institution of higher education. TOEFL minimum score: 100. IELTS minimum band: 7.5 . Georgetown’s code for your report to be sent to us is 5244.
• Application fee : USD 95.00 for academic year 2021-2022

Applications are due on January 15 for admission in the Fall semester of the same year.

When complete, your application will be sent to the Director of the MLC program , who will review it with other sociolinguistic faculty as part of the Department Admissions Committee. You should receive a response about 6 weeks following the application deadline.

Offers of admission will be accompanied by an offer to visit campus (virtually or in person) for an Admitted Students Day in mid-March.

You can find information about graduate tuition cost and funding sources at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Office of Student Financial Services website. The Department of Linguistics does not offer merit-based tuition scholarships nor Teaching Assistantship positions for Master’s students. The Department can provide information about a limited number of paid Graduate Assistant positions both in the Department and in other units across campus.

You are welcome to communicate at any time with Director, Master’s Programs, Dr. Alexandra Johnston, about the materials you plan to submit. I’ll answer your questions about requirements, framing your statement statement of purpose, coursework, and our Georgetown community. You are welcome to reach out for a discussion to see if the MLC is right for you and to make your application the best it can be.

Center for Language Acquisition

Gil Watz Outstanding Fifth Year Applied Linguistics Graduate Student Award

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