Listed below are the requirements for the Linguistics major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages. 

Linguistics Major Requirements

The undergraduate major in linguistics may be obtained by pursuing either the general major option or the applied major option. Students must complete 30 credits in either the general major option or the applied major option. Students must complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at 51����. The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at 51����. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. The College also requires students to complete a research experience in their major. 

Major Options

General Linguistics Major Option

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Coursework in linguistics and related areas, selected from the approved electives list (see below) in consultation with an advisor in the Linguistics program.

Applied Linguistics Major Option

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Coursework in linguistics and related areas, selected from the approved electives list (see below) in consultation with an advisor in the Linguistics program.

Linguistics Major Approved Electives

We encourage you to begin exploring career options when you declare your major or at the start of your sophomore year, whichever comes first.

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Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program, please review the for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.

Admission

An applicant must meet  plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:

1. Undergraduate major in linguistics or related field (e.g, languages, psychology, anthropology, philosophy).
2. Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
3. Three letters of recommendation to the Department’s Director of Graduate Studies from persons familiar with applicant’s academic ability and achievement.
4. A sample of academic writing.
5. A reason statement.
6. Though not required, submission of scores on the  may enhance the application.

Applicants may be admitted with course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses.

The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree. Applicants should contact the Linguistics Department office for additional information and deadlines.

Credits and Courses

Students admitted to the master’s program earn the degree by completing a minimum of 30 credits of graduate coursework, submitting a final project, and passing an oral examination on the final project. Students who demonstrate a capacity for doctoral work and wish to earn a PhD at 51���� are advised to proceed as rapidly as possible to doctoral status. No more than 30 credits earned at the master’s level may be included in the 54 credits required for the PhD.

The MA in Linguistics requires 30 graduate credits, including:

Students who completed any of the required courses as undergraduates will substitute another course selected in consultation with their major professor.

Application to all graduate programs are completed through the 51���� Graduate School. Please see their website for detailed information about the application process and contact them with questions.

We also have provided information about applying to one of the Linguistics graduate programs and our admissions criteria:

How to apply for the MA in Linguistics

Teaching and Research Assistantships are the primary form of financial support for Linguistics graduate students. These positions provide a salary and tuition remission. Some small scholarships are also available. Click below for more details.

Requirements

Students must complete at least 9 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the minor in residence at 51����. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at 51����. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including transfer work.

General Linguistics Minor Option

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Coursework in linguistics and related areas selected in consultation with an advisor in the Linguistics program. Students are encouraged to focus their electives in an area closely aligned with the study of linguistics, including various foreign languages, English, anthropology, philosophy, computer science, and education, among others.

Applied Linguistics Minor Option

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Coursework in linguistics and related areas selected in consultation with an advisor in the Linguistics program. Students are encouraged to focus their electives in an area closely aligned with the study of linguistics, including various foreign languages, English, anthropology, philosophy, computer science, and education, among others.

Application to all graduate programs are completed through the 51���� Graduate School. Please see their website for detailed information about the application process and contact them with questions.

We also have provided information about applying to one of the Linguistics graduate programs and our admissions criteria:

How to apply for the PhD in Linguistics

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Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program, please review the for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.

Admission

Students wishing to enter the PhD program in Linguistics, including those who hold a master’s degree from elsewhere, must satisfy the requirements for the 51���� Master of Arts degree in Linguistics. Students apply to the Graduate School for admission, which, in turn, forwards completed applications to the Department. The Department faculty then evaluates the applications and decides on admissions to the PhD program in Linguistics. Occasionally, an exceptionally well-qualified student will be admitted to the PhD program with a baccalaureate degree. The student must complete the requirements of the MA degree in the course of fulfilling the requirements for the PhD.

New students are admitted each year typically to begin in the Fall term. To be considered, all application materials normally must be received by the Graduate School no later than December 15. Admission materials will include:

• Completed Graduate School application.
• Official transcripts of previous work, including evidence of a master’s degree either completed or in progress.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Sample of written work.
• Statement of purpose.

In addition, students whose native language is not English must submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the equivalent. A score of at least 587 (TOEFL) is normally necessary for admission. The minimum score for the computer based TOEFL is 240, or 95 for the internet-based test (iBT).

Submission of , though not required, is encouraged.

Credits and Courses

The PhD program requires a minimum of 54 credits beyond the BA. The 54 credits are distributed as follows:

Additional Requirements

Major Professor as Advisor

The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student’s work as specified in Graduate School regulations. The Director of Graduate Studies serves as an initial advisor.

General Restrictions

Doctoral students may not count more than 9 credits in independent study toward the degree without the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. No more than 18 credits may be counted in courses taken outside the Department of Linguistics.

Advising

Students are required to consult periodically with their Major Professor. The Major Professor helps the student to define an area of special interest within the concentration for the preliminary examination. The Major Professor also assists the student in the selection of appropriate coursework and may chair the Preliminary Examination Committee.

Foreign Language Requirement

All PhD candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency (reading knowledge) in a language other than English. The choice of language, and the means of demonstrating proficiency, must be approved by the student’s Major Professor in consultation with the Director of Graduate Study.

Residence

The student must meet minimum Graduate School residence requirements.

Doctoral Preliminary Examination

The doctoral preliminary examination consists of an oral defense of a major research paper submitted by the student typically after completing 39 to 45 credits toward the PhD degree. Though the scope of the examination, which usually lasts two hours, is open-ended, its focus is on the submitted research paper, which itself is intended to demonstrate the breadth and depth of a student’s knowledge and the ability to conduct advanced research in one or more areas of study. The successfully-defended research paper should lead naturally to timely preparation of the dissertation proposal.

Students cannot take the preliminary examination if they have any incomplete or unreported grades or a GPA less than 3.0. The exam must be finished within one semester after all coursework is completed, excluding summer sessions. Students may receive from the Director of Graduate Studies a one semester extension for additional coursework. Students who do not complete the exam within this time frame will be considered to have failed the exam. The exam may be retaken only once, after making appropriate revisions to the research paper. Students who fail the preliminary examination may not proceed to the dissertation. The exam must be passed within five years of initial enrollment in the doctoral program.

Dissertation

The dissertation topic, together with a comprehensive prospectus, must be approved by the student’s doctoral committee in a dissertation proposal hearing that should be held not later than the semester immediately following the preliminary examination. The dissertation proposal is typically, albeit not necessarily, a refinement and extension of the research paper defended in the oral preliminary examination. Though no specific length requirements are imposed on the dissertation itself, the Department considers 200 pages to be reasonable and representative.

Dissertation Defense

The completed dissertation is subject to an oral defense, to be arranged by the Major Professor in coordination with the Director of Graduate Study according to Graduate School regulations. A copy of the dissertation is kept in the Department office.

Time Limit

All degree requirements must be completed within ten years from the date of initial enrollment in the doctoral program.

Teaching and Research Assistantships are the primary form of financial support for Linguistics graduate students. These positions provide a salary and tuition remission. Some small scholarships are also available. Click below for more details.