2009-2010 University Catalog 
  
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2009-2010 University Catalog

Linguistics, PhD

Banner Code: LA-PHD-LING

The PhD in linguistics trains students in the science of language.  Students become specialists in the core areas of linguistics– phonology, syntax, and semantics –and learn to integrate this core with the study of second language acquisition. This 72-credit degree program prepares students for positions in academia, industry, and government working in a host of organizations that are concerned with language and second language acquisition. They might be research and teaching professors, administrators of language-learning programs, or consultants in computational linguistic research.

This program of study is offered by the Department of English .

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies  chapter of the catalog.

Application Requirements

This program is open to students with any undergraduate major, though all applicants should have satisfactorily completed an introductory course in linguistics.

An applicant must submit three letters of recommendation, score on the GRE, a one or two page personal statement explaining the applicant’s interest in the program, and an academic writing sample that is preferably at least ten pages in length and of some theoretical rigor.  The department accepts doctoral students only for the fall semester.

Degree Requirements

To receive the PhD, students are must complete a minimum of 72 credits of course work, of which no more than 24 credits may be in LING 998/999.  Students must submit two qualifying papers in linguistics.  Students who enter with a master’s degree in linguistics may have their credit requirement reduced by up to 30 credits at the discretion of the department.

Three courses (9 credits) in phonology:

Three courses (9 credits) in syntax:

Two courses (6 credits) in semantics/pragmatics:

Two courses in (6 credits) in language acquisition chosen from:

One course (3 credits) in research methodology:

Seminars (6 credits):

  • Two seminar courses in two chosen fields

Five elective courses (15 credits) chosen from:

Two qualifying papers (6 credits):

Doctoral Dissertation (12 credits):

Total: 72 credits