PhD in German - Second Language Acquisition in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The program provides extensive studies in German language, literature, culture, philosophy, critical theory, media, and film, covering all historical periods from medieval times to contemporary eras. Its renowned faculty specialize in diverse research fields including literary history, gender studies, film analysis, intellectual history, and linguistics. Degree candidates have the opportunity to pair their German Ph.D. with interdisciplinary focuses in critical theory, classics, feminist scholarship, and second language acquisition. The challenging yet adaptable M.A. and Ph.D. curricula allow for specialized study of theoretical and historical aspects of German literature and philosophy, alongside a linguistics-focused pathway.

The Designated Emphasis (DE) equips doctoral candidates with both theoretical foundations and practical skills in language learning and technology-enhanced teaching. Students who gain deeper insights into second language acquisition processes help enhance undergraduate language education quality. Completing the DE substantially improves graduates' career opportunities in foreign-language teaching and ESL positions.