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:

Core Courses
LING 550Introduction to Phonology4
LING 551Advanced Syntax4
LING 507Seminar: [Topic] 14
or LING 607 Seminar: [Topic]
or LING 660 Historical Syntax
or EALL 545 East Asian Psycholinguistics
or EALL 680 Linguistics Research and Bibliography
LING 614Linguistic Theory: Phonology4
LING 615Linguistic Theory: Syntax4
LING 616Linguistic Theory: Semantics4
Elective Courses
Graduate-level linguistics or other relevant courses 216
Thesis Requirement
LING 503Thesis9
Total Credits49
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:

Core Courses
LING 550Introduction to Phonology4
LING 551Advanced Syntax4
LING 507Seminar: [Topic] 14
or LING 607 Seminar: [Topic]
or LING 660 Historical Syntax
or EALL 545 East Asian Psycholinguistics
or EALL 680 Linguistics Research and Bibliography
LING 614Linguistic Theory: Phonology4
LING 615Linguistic Theory: Syntax4
LING 616Linguistic Theory: Semantics4
Elective Courses
Graduate-level linguistics or other relevant courses 224
Total Credits48
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.