Linguistics (MA)
Admissions
Students apply through the same procedure and application as for the PhD program in linguistics but specify that they are interested in the MA in linguistics. Students are required to submit a statement of purpose describing their interest in the program, goals for their time in the program and the faculty with whom they would like to work, a writing sample (such as a substantial term paper), any transcripts showing relevant coursework, and three recommendation letters. GRE scores are optional.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Be able to analyze and describe the structure of an unfamiliar language from provided and prepared data
- Be able to test the psychological reality of a pattern experimentally
- Acquire in-depth knowledge of functional and usage-based approaches to the core areas of linguistics (phonology, syntax and semantics)
- Acquire the methodological skills and command of the literature in a research area to complete an empirical study in linguistics
- Be able to describe the grammatical patterns that occur in languages of the world, how common they are and where they come from
Master of Arts in Linguistics
Thesis Option:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
LING 550 | Introduction to Phonology | 4 |
LING 551 | Advanced Syntax | 4 |
LING 507 | Seminar: [Topic] 1 | 4 |
or LING 607 | Seminar: [Topic] | |
or LING 660 | Historical Syntax | |
or EALL 545 | East Asian Psycholinguistics | |
or EALL 680 | Linguistics Research and Bibliography | |
LING 614 | Linguistic Theory: Phonology | 4 |
LING 615 | Linguistic Theory: Syntax | 4 |
LING 616 | Linguistic Theory: Semantics | 4 |
Elective Courses | ||
Graduate-level linguistics or other relevant courses 2 | 16 | |
Thesis Requirement | ||
LING 503 | Thesis | 9 |
Total Credits | 49 |
- 1
Or another seminar (course requiring reading primary literature and evaluated with a research term paper) in linguistics, chosen in consultation with your advisor
- 2
Select electives in consultation with department's director of graduate studies and the student's faculty advisor.
Non-Thesis Option:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
LING 550 | Introduction to Phonology | 4 |
LING 551 | Advanced Syntax | 4 |
LING 507 | Seminar: [Topic] 1 | 4 |
or LING 607 | Seminar: [Topic] | |
or LING 660 | Historical Syntax | |
or EALL 545 | East Asian Psycholinguistics | |
or EALL 680 | Linguistics Research and Bibliography | |
LING 614 | Linguistic Theory: Phonology | 4 |
LING 615 | Linguistic Theory: Syntax | 4 |
LING 616 | Linguistic Theory: Semantics | 4 |
Elective Courses | ||
Graduate-level linguistics or other relevant courses 2 | 24 | |
Total Credits | 48 |
- 1
Or another seminar (course requiring reading primary literature and evaluated with a research term paper) in linguistics, chosen in consultation with your advisor
- 2
Select electives in consultation with department's director of graduate studies and the student's faculty advisor.
No course with a grade lower than B– may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Second-Language Requirement
Candidates for the MA are required to have taken at least two years of one second language within the past seven years. At the MA level, any foreign language is acceptable, including English for an international student whose first language is not English. It should be noted that the MA language may count toward the two language requirements for the PhD program if the language is used as a research language (see PhD requirements below).
MA Thesis or Substitute
Students in good standing may form an MA committee consisting of two linguistics faculty members who indicate their agreement to serve by signing a standard form and who share equal responsibility for directing the thesis. For the MA to be granted, both members of the committee must approve the thesis and the main content of the thesis must be presented as a departmental colloquium.