Master of Arts in English Linguistics

Program Requirements:

1. Students must complete those parts of the LING 401-420-425 sequence that were not a part of their undergraduate work. Graduate credit may be given for these courses.
   
   
2. A minimum of 30 hours of graduate work in a program of study approved by the coordinator of graduate studies, with a GPA of at least 3.0.
   
   
3. One of the following:
   
   
   1. A master’s thesis: The thesis topic and design are developed by the candidate with the advice of a departmental faculty member. The thesis must be submitted for the approval of the directing committee.
      
      
   2. Comprehensive exams: Written responses to questions developed by faculty members regarding issues within three major research areas chosen by the candidate.
      
      

Course Requirements:
Restricted Elective Courses: 18 hours
	Six courses from the following:
		LING 501 Current Trends in Linguistics (3)
		LING 502 History of Linguistics (3)
		LING 510 Historical and Comparative Linguistics (3)
		LING 525 Advanced Syntax (3)
		LING 531 Semantics: The Study of Meaning (3)
		LING 532 Sociolinguistics (3)
		LING 533 General Psycholinguistics (3)
		LING 534 Advanced Phonology (3)
		LING 535 Discourse Analysis (3)
		LING 536 Typology and Universals of Language (3)
		LING 592 Special Topics (3) (with advisor's approval)
Elective Courses: 12 hours
	Thesis plan students will take three of these hours in LING 692 Thesis.
	Suggested areas include anthropology, composition and rhetoric, linguistics courses not taken above, literature (particularly the early periods), mathematics and computer science, psychology, reading, sociology, speech and hearing science, and TESOL.
	Advanced 400-level undergraduate courses are also available to graduate students. A maximum of nine hours of approved 400-level course work may count toward any graduate degree. Students must submit an advisor-approved Graduate/Senior Request to Enroll in 400/500 Level Courses form to the Office of Records and Registration before enrolling in an advanced 400-level undergraduate course.
	Independent study projects allow a student to investigate topics not ordinarily covered in regular department courses, or to expand on a specific aspect of a course already taken. Project ideas must be developed with a graduate faculty member in the project's area of specialization. A maximum of six hours of independent study credit may be applied towards a degree.
Thesis Option
	The thesis is an extended research or critical document focusing on a specific issue or problem of importance to scholars in the field of linguistics. It requires exceptional scholarly or critical skills and draws on both individual and disciplinary expertise. The thesis prepares the student for further work in linguistics and serves as the basis for publications and presentations. It is useful (but not essential) for students planning to continue graduate studies towards a PhD in linguistics. The work for the thesis must be conducted under the ongoing supervision of a thesis director and second reader. See the Graduate School's Thesis Manual and the department's Graduate Student Handbook for guidelines for procedures, policies, and format requirements.
Exam Option
	MA candidates take examinations in three areas of linguistics determined by the student and the graduate linguistics advisor. The three responses, of approximately 10 typed pages each, are submitted no later than four weeks after the student receives the questions. After the linguistics committee members evaluate the answers in their areas of expertise, an oral portion is scheduled to allow the student to clarify and supplement the written answers. The student's performance is evaluated as either Pass with Distinction, Pass, Conditional Pass (revisions required), or Fail. A student who fails will be asked to retake the complete examination. Students on academic probation may not take the examination until they regain satisfactory academic standing.