masters degree in linguistics
Linguistics, the scientific
study of language, is the key to all other areas of language study. Students in
this concentration choose either to focus primarily on topics in theoretical linguistics
or to examine the application of linguistic theory to some other related field,
such as first or second language acquisition, the teaching of writing, natural
language processing, or bilingual education. Such study is designed to prepare
students for any profession that requires a sophisticated understanding of language,
including language teaching, computer applications involving natural language,
or doctoral work in linguistics.
There are no specific prerequisites
to this program; undergraduate majors in any field are encouraged to apply.
If you have not taken a linguistics course in a while, you are encouraged to
take our introductory linguistics course, ling 520.
Degree Requirements
Students complete 30 credit
hours or 10 courses. The core consists of the following six required courses
in contemporary linguistic theory:
The core is supplemented by
four electives in linguistics or in an area of applied linguistics. A master's
thesis may be substituted for six hours of electives. See the TESL
program for TESL courses that can be used as electives in linguistics.
The linguistics program also offers other elective courses:
- Descriptive Linguistics
( ling 520 )
- Psycholinguistics (ling
581)
- Special Topics in Linguistics
(ling 686)
- Directed Reading (ling
798)
- Thesis (ling 799)
OTHER
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants, to be eligible, must have earned a minimum grade point
average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during the last 60 hours of undergraduate course
work, or show exceptional compensatory qualifications. Provisional admission
will be considered on an individual basis for promising applicants with lower
averages. (see the Graduate Catalog.)
Those with undergraduate majors in disciplines other than English are encouraged
to apply, but they may be required to make up deficiencies by taking appropriate
undergraduate courses without graduate credit.
Foreign language proficiency
is essential for graduation. The foreign language requirement is satisfied by
completion of George Mason University foreign language courses numbered 202,
209, or the equivalent. Students who have not achieved such intermediate level
proficiency in one language must either do appropriate course work, or demonstrate
proficiency by passing a translation exam administered by the English Department.
Masters degree in Linguistics
Advising Sheet
Make sure you are meeting
all of the graduate linguistics requirements. Download and fill out the linguistics
advising sheet.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Those interested in applying
for admission to the graduate program in English should obtain application materials
from the Department of English, or to
download an application, go to office
of admissions.
The applicant should arrange
for the Office of Graduate Admissions to receive the following:
- A completed application
form, with the current nonrefundable fee.
- Transcripts from all
colleges and universities where course work was completed (undergraduate and
graduate). Students who have attended colleges abroad must supply equivalents
for their transcripts.
- Two letters of recommendation,
preferably academic (on forms provided by the Office of Admissions).
- A 1,000-word writing
sample, which may be a paper written for an undergraduate class or any other
material, that gives evidence of an applicant's writing skills and analytic
abilities.
- A two-page essay reflecting
background, interest in the program, and goals.
Deadlines for applications
are as follows:
Fall Semester: March
15
Spring Semester: October 15
Prospective students unable
to meet these deadlines but want to start taking classes should visit the non-degree
admissions page.
