1. Linguistics
  2. Curriculum and Degree Information
  3. M.A.

M.A.

Students in the M.A. Program in Linguistics gain a solid foundation in the core areas of linguistic theory and benefit from a broad overview of areas of human language that intersect with other disciplines, such as psychology, anthropology, and sociology.

Students in the M.A. Program in Linguistics gain a solid foundation in the core areas of linguistic theory and benefit from a broad overview of areas of human language that intersect with other disciplines, such as psychology, anthropology, and sociology.

There are ample research opportunities in the program’s laboratories. Students can choose to focus on one or more linguistics specialty areas, such as bilingualism and multilingualism, endangered languages and language documentation, heritage languages, language acquisition in children and adults, language change and historical linguistics, and sociolinguistics.

Path to Degree

Fall 1

LING70100: Introduction to Theoretical Ling. + Practicum (4 credits)

Any of the following:
Electives 
LING71200: Syntax I + Practicum (4 credits) 
LING71300: Phonology I + Practicum (4 credits)

Spring 1 

Electives
LING72300: Semantics I + Practicum (4 credits)

Fall 2

Any of the following:
Electives
LING71200: Syntax I + Practicum (4 credits) 
LING71300: Phonology I + Practicum (4 credits)

Spring 2

Elective (3 credits)
Supervised Research/Master’s Thesis (3 credits)

Curriculum Requirements

The M.A. in Linguistics requires thirty (30) credits of approved graduate course work, including 15 credits of required core curriculum courses:

  • Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics  + practicum (4 credits)
  • MA Supervised Research / Independent Study (3 credits)
  • Any two of the following:
    • Phonology I + practicum (4 credits)
    • Semantics I + practicum (4 credits)
    • Syntax I + practicum (4 credits)

The remaining 15 credits are taken as electives, of which a minimum of 9 credits must be taken within Linguistics.

MA Thesis format

  • Theses should first follow all format requirements imposed by the library.
  • Theses should target a length of 30-60 pages not including front matter, references, and appendices, with longer theses acceptable. Large conglomerations of data should be included in appendices rather than the body. 
  • Bibliographies should follow the Linguistic Inquiry style or American Psychological Association style. 
  • In-text references should be given in author-date format. 
  • Linguistic examples should be numbered, glossed and translated where appropriate, and morph-by-morph glosses should follow the Leipzig Glossing Rules guidelines. 
  • The above are subject to advisor discretion. 

When the student is in their last semester they must write a thesis that results in a passing grade of B or better.  The student will seek out a tenured or tenure-tracked faculty member in the Linguistics Program to serve as their thesis research supervisor. The research topic must be approved by student’s chosen faculty supervisor. The student must now complete the M.A. Supervised Research Topic Approval Form and submit it to the EO or APO.

Masters thesis deposit procedures are available via the Mina Rees Library.