Overview
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for adult literacy and remedial education teachers, such as those who teach English to non-native speakers, will grow by 15 percent in the United States from 2008 through 2018. Individuals who wish to teach prospective educators in the field or those who have a desire to advance their careers in adult literacy may pursue a Ph.D. in teaching English to speakers of other language (TESOL). A small number of schools in the United States offer such programs.

New York University
Established in 1831 and home to more than 42,000 undergraduate and graduate students, New York University (NYU) is a private, nonsectarian college based in New York City. NYU received the 32nd-place ranking among all universities in the United States from "U.S. News and World Report" in 2010 and offers a Ph.D. in TESOL through its Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. The program requires students to complete 54 credit hours of classes in subjects like language acquisition, cultural communication and teaching methods.

Prior to beginning their dissertation research, students must pass either a comprehensive examination or give a portfolio presentation showing work completed in courses, such as lesson plans and developed assignments. Most students in the program receive assistantships and fellowships to offset or completely cover the cost of tuition at NYU.

New York University
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

212-998-4500
nyu.edu

Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University's campus in rural Flagstaff covers 738 acres and serves as home to more than 22,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The public institution's Department of English offers a Ph.D. program in applied linguistics, which features a specialization in TESOL. A master's degree is not required for admission to the program as students can earn the graduate degree while completing the requirements for the doctorate. Students in the program require complete 57 credits of coursework in the field and nine credits of study in statistics.
Students must pass a comprehensive examination and write a thesis paper after completing their first 36 credits of graduate study to become Ph.D. candidates. In addition to dissertations and oral defenses, all TESOL Ph.D. students must give a public presentation of their research prior to graduation. Students in the program can apply for assistantships and fellowships, but the Department of English cannot guarantee funding for everyone in the doctorate program.

Northern Arizona University
P.O. Box 4084
Flagstaff, AZ 86011

928-523-5511
nau.edu

University of Georgia
The University of Georgia, located in Athens, is a public institution with more than 34,000 students enrolled in its programs. The school earned the 58th-place ranking among all universities in the United States from "U.S. News and World Report" in 2010. The university's College of Education features a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy Education with a specialization in TESOL. The program features 30 credits of classroom-based education and an apprenticeship assisting a faculty member with research in the field. Before working on the dissertation, students engage in written and oral comprehensive examinations.

Some graduate students at the university qualify for tuition waivers, allowing non-Georgia residents to attend at the discounted tuition rates enjoyed by those who are native to the state. A limited number of assistantships and fellowships are also available.

University of Georgia
Terrell Hall
Athens, GA 30602

706-542-8776
uga.edu