Linguistics (PhD)

The goals of the Ph.D. program in Linguistics are to teach and mentor students so that they are able to gain and develop the following abilities and attributes:

Identifying and investigating substantive research questions in various subfields of Linguistics;
Critically evaluating previous research, including the use of linguistic data, analytic methods, and theories of language and mind in the work of other scientists;
Employing appropriate research methods to present, analyze, and articulate research results in the area of concentration;
Possessing the ability to disseminate knowledge in the area of specialization, by writing articles for peer reviewed journals and presenting work at major conferences.

Graduate students are expected to learn the intellectual system that underlies research in all fields of linguistics. The faculty encourage graduate students to conduct original, innovative research by:

Taking required courses on the core areas of linguistics, such as syntax, phonology, phonetics, semantics, and morphology.
Combining core areas with specializations in experimental psycholinguistics, language acquisition, philosophy of mind, the description and documentation of endangered and under-described languages.
Engaging in original research through advanced seminars and participating in departmental groups that present student and faculty research.

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information .

Requirements For The PhD Degree

Students are required to take a minimum of 57 credits beyond the B.A./B.S.:

48 credits in courses proper;
9 credits in dissertation research.

Core:

All students must take the following four core courses (for a letter grade of B or better, not as Listener or Pass/Fail). They must be completed by the end of Year 2:

CGSC 615 - Language and Cognition Credit(s): 3
LING 607 - Advanced Phonology Credit(s): 3
LING 609 - Advanced Syntax Credit(s): 3
CGSC 697 - Experimental Linguistics Credit(s): 3
Students take a further 10 electives and 800-level seminars, as follows:
Advanced LING/CGSC seminars: 6 courses (18 credits) at the 800 level in LING or CGSC.
Electives planned in consultation with advisor: 4 courses (12 credits)
Students must also enroll in the Writing Seminar (LING 820 ) twice: Once in the Spring of Year 2 (for 3 credits) and once in the Spring of Year 3 (for a further 3 credits). Total 6 credits.

Dissertation Coursework:

Complete 9 credits.

LING 969 - Doctoral Dissertation Credit(s): 1-12

Qualifying Papers:

Students are required to submit two Qualifying Papers that are judged to be substantial and meet professional standards of scholarship by the Qualifying Paper committee. The first Qualifying Paper must be finished by the end of Fall semester of the 2nd Year; the second Qualifying Paper must be finished by the end of the 3rd Year.

Dissertation Prospectus

Each student must choose a dissertation director, form a dissertation committee, and submit a Dissertation Prospectus for approval. The dissertation committee will meet with the student to examine the proposal and the qualifications of the student to carry out the proposed research. The Dissertation Prospectus should be completed by the end of the Fall Semester of the 4th Year.

Dissertation:

Students who have completed all of the above requirements are allowed to write the dissertation. The dissertation committee will administer a final oral defense of the dissertation.

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.