Linguistics And Cognitive Science (PhD)

Requirements For The PhD Degree

Students are required to take 60 credits beyond the BA/BS: 51 credits in courses proper and 9 dissertation credits. Students entering with a credited MA/MS in an appropriate area as determined by the department must take 30 credits: 21 in courses proper and 9 in dissertation. All transfer credit must be in accord with the rules of the Graduate Office; approval of transferred courses is at the discretion of the Committee on Graduate Studies of the Department of Linguistics. Students must take LING 607 - Phonology I (3cr.) , LING 609 - Syntax I (3cr.) , LING 608 - Phonology II (3cr.) , LING 610 - Syntax II (3cr.) , CGSC 697 - Experimental Linguistics (3cr.) , and at least three 800-level seminars. No course can satisfy two requirements except that the three 800-level seminars can count toward specialization requirements; transfer credit for these requirements may be accepted, but only under the conditions stated above. It is suggested that the remainder of the course work have an appropriate balance of work in the subfields of linguistics and, at the same time, be directed toward the major areas of research interest.

For admission to the Doctoral Candidacy, students are required to write two research papers (Qualifying Papers) that the Qualifying Paper committee judge to be substantial and meet professional standards of scholarship. The Qualifying Paper committee consists of the primary advisor for the paper and the second reader. After successful completion of all requirements, students are required to write a dissertation followed by an oral defense.

Students whose native language is English are required to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. The goal is for students to be able to function as a professional in the field of linguistics in general and in their chosen area of specialization. Proficiency may be either written or spoken. Students are responsible for presenting a rationale for the selection of a particular language and for requesting a speaking or reading proficiency test. Students whose native language is not English will be assumed to have proficiency in English and will have thereby satisfied the proficiency requirement.

The language requirements must be satisfied prior to acceptance of the Dissertation Prospectus. No language examinations taken at any other school will fulfill any language requirement.

Program In Cognitive Science

The program in Cognitive Science is administered by the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science. See MA information (above) regarding the MA in Linguistics and Cognitive Science. While there is no Doctoral degree in Cognitive Science, the PhD in Linguistics allows a secondary specialization in Cognitive Science, and advanced degrees in related disciplines (e.g., Psychology) also permit students to develop concentrations in the field. There are also regular graduate course offerings in Cognitive Science that allow individualized training in the field.