M.A. Program in Linguistics

The Program in Linguistics is administered by the Interdepartmental Committee on Linguistics, which makes all decisions on admission. The purpose of the program is to provide training in general linguistics. Students are encouraged to specialize in a particular area such as linguistic anthropology, psycholinguistics, or an individual language or language family.

Requirements for the M.A. in Linguistics

All students take LNGS 701 (Linguistic Theory and Analysis). They also take one course in historical linguistics, such as LNGS 702 (Historical and Comparative Linguistics) or ANTH 748 (Language and Prehistory). They must also take at least one linguistics course that focuses on the structure of a language. Courses fulfilling this requirement include ANTH 504 (Linguistic Field Methods) and RUSS 522 (Structure of Modern Russian: Syntax and Semantics). The final requirement is a course in theoretical linguistics (either a survey course comparing various theoretical approaches to language, or a course focusing on one of the subfields of linguistics such as phonology or morphology).

The remaining courses, making up a minimum of 30 credits, are electives in related fields (e.g., psychology, anthropology, philosophy, Romance linguistics, etc.) These are selected in consultation with the advisor. Three out of the total of 30 credits may be devoted to a thesis. Although the thesis is optional, it is strongly recommended for those who plan to proceed to the Ph.D. at another institution. Each student must also take a comprehensive examination, the exact form of which is determined by the Committee on General Linguistics.

A student who wishes to write a thesis must first successfully complete the written and oral comprehensive examination. After completing the examination, the student must submit a thesis proposal signed by two faculty members who have agreed to supervise the work.

Students completing an M.A. in Linguistics must demonstrate reading competence in a language other than English. Normally, this language is French or German. Other languages may occasionally be substituted by petition to the Linguistics Committee.

Requirements for Admission

B.A. degree or equivalent from an accredited university; and the Graduate Record Examination. All international students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

Graduate School electronic application form

Students normally enter the program in the fall semester. Spring admission will be considered in exceptional cases only. Applications are due on March 1 for admission the following fall.

Financial Aid

A very limited number of TAships may be available for students enrolled in the Linguistics MA Program. From time to time financial support is also available through the English as a Second Language program or through work-study.

Recent M.A. Thesis Titles and Abstracts

Look here for titles and abstracts of theses recently written by students in the Linguistics M.A. program.