Linguistics

Degree Offered Master of Arts in Linguistics

Program Overview

The graduate program offers work leading to a master of arts degree in Linguistics. This degree may be taken with a Concentration in Teaching English as a Second Language.

Admission Requirements

Students must fulfill the requirements for admission to the Graduate College.

The applicant must possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university and nine hours or the equivalent in one foreign language. The undergraduate academic record must reflect a grade point average of 2.75 or better (4-point scale).

Non-native speakers of English must also score 600 or higher on the TOEFL. For those selecting the Concentration in TESL, a score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) is also required. In some instances a Test of Written English (TWE) score may also be required. Equivalent evaluations may be submitted to the advisor who will decide whether they are acceptable or not. Restrictions on Admission to the M.A. program may be restricted because a student possesses a bachelor's degree from a non-accredited or foreign institution. When students do not meet the language requirement they may be given conditional admission. The language requirement must be fulfilled before applying for degree candidacy.

Degree Requirements

Students have the choice between two options.

Thesis Option

During the 36 credit hour program, students may choose to take the Thesis Option and write a Master's Thesis. Students will enroll in LING 499, Thesis Seminar over two semesters and receive six hours credit. This option will be open to students who show an ability to write academic papers. This option may be taken after having talked with the graduate advisor and after obtaining departmental approval, a thesis advisor and a thesis committee.

Non-Thesis Option

Students are required to complete 36 hours of 400-level course work in linguistics plus a comprehensive examination, based on a reading list, study questions, etc., taken after at least 27 hours of course work have been completed, including all required courses.

Any special program design, tutorial or independent study must be approved in advance by the graduate advisor.

Course Requirements:

A sequence of required courses for the degree, a sequence of required courses for those wishing the TESL concentration, and the balance of the program in 400-level linguistics electives selected with the approval of the graduate advisor. No more than four courses taken with any one professor may be counted towards the degree.

Required for the degree (12 credit hours)

LING-401 Fundamentals of Modern Linguistics ........... 3 cr.
(may be waived for students with a strong undergraduate background in linguistics and replaced with an additional 400-level elective)
LING-420 Structure of Modern English ......................... 3 cr.
LING-426 Advanced Linguistic Analysis ....................... 3 cr.
One 400-level Seminar in Linguistics ............................. 3 cr.

Electives (24 credit hours)

Selected from the list of 400-level courses approved by the
Department advisor. ................................................... 24 cr.

TESL Concentration:

Required courses (24 credit hours)

LING-401 Fundamentals of Modern Linguistics ........... 3 cr.
LING-410 Techniques of Teaching ESL ....................... 3 cr.
LING-414 Theories of Teaching ESL ............................ 3 cr.
LING-420 Structure of Modern English ......................... 3 cr.
LING-426 Advanced Linguistic Analysis ....................... 3 cr.
LING-446 Sociolinguistics ............................................. 3 cr.
LING-460 Second Language Acquisition ...................... 3 cr.
LING-490 Seminar in Teaching ESL ............................. 3 cr.

Electives (12 credit hours)

Selected from the 400-level courses approved by the Department advisor. ........................................... 12 cr.

Note: It is recommended that students in the TESL Concentration also take LING-468 Assessment of LEP students especially if they wish to apply for State Approval at the elementary or secondary level.

Advisors