Linguistics, PhD
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
The aim of the PhD program in Linguistics is to instruct students in the major areas of linguistic theory and the methods of linguistic analysis, and to prepare students to become independent researchers in one or more linguistic subfields.
Admission
Applicants to the MATESL and PhD programs in Linguistics must have completed a bachelor’s degree.
For the PhD program in Linguistics, undergraduate preparation should include the study of at least one foreign language; a course equivalent to LING 400 on this campus; and a broad background in the humanities, social sciences, or mathematics.
For the MATESL program, an undergraduate major in linguistics, English, a foreign language, or education is generally recommended, though other majors are also acceptable. Applicants must present a grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Two years of coursework in a foreign language or the equivalent are also required.
Students may be admitted to the PhD program in Linguistics with or without a prior master’s degree in linguistics or a related field. Depending on the student’s prior preparation, they may be admitted either into Stage 1 of the PhD or into Stage 2 of the PhD. Students who who have completed a master’s degree in linguistics or a closely related field may be considered for admission to Stage 2 of the PhD program. Students without an approved prior master’s degree will only be considered for admission to Stage 1 of the PhD program. Students admitted to Stage 1 must complete 40 credit hours in the areas listed on the department website, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in all core courses, and earn a grade of High Pass on the qualifying examination in order to advance to Stage 2. Students who are admitted directly to Stage 2, but lack any of the core courses required for Stage 1, must complete Stage 1 requirements immediately on entry into the program; the courses will not count toward the 64 hours required for Stage 2 of the PhD.
Applicants to all Linguistics graduate programs programs should apply online and submit a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation and a writing sample of 10-20 pages in length. Original transcripts (with English translations if applicable) showing all undergraduate and graduate work completed should be sent to:
SLCL Graduate Student Services
3070 Foreign Languages Bldg.
707 S. Mathews Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional. The applicant should ask the ETS to submit scores to institution 1836. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must score at least 88 (100 preferred) on the internet-based test (iBT); they must also pass the speaking sub-section of the iBT with a minimum score of 24 (see www.grad.illinois.edu/Admissions/instructions/04c). Applications are accepted for fall admission only. Application questions may be directed to SLCL Graduate Student Services.
Financial Aid
The Linguistics department aims to provide financial aid for all graduate students in the Ph.D. program in Linguistics for up to five years, in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or departmental assistantships. To hold a teaching assistantship non-native English speakers must first pass a test of their oral English ability. Some students receive aid through other units in the University. New applicants receive automatic consideration for financial aid within the department, including teaching assistantships for the non-Western languages taught in its programs. For details and applications, write to the above address.
For students in the MATESL program, financial assistance is offered to as many qualified applicants as possible, but cannot be awarded to all. A record of extensive experience in teaching English as a second language enhances a candidate's chance of receiving financial assistance during one's first semester. A limited number of University fellowships are available for exceptionally qualified candidates. Teaching assistants teach students in the Division's ESL program and in the Intensive English Institute.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
The aim of the PhD program in Linguistics is to instruct students in the major areas of linguistic theory and the methods of linguistic analysis, and to prepare students to become independent researchers in one or more linguistic subfields. Candidates entering with an approved master’s degree must complete 64 graduate hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) and satisfy other department and Graduate College requirements. Candidates entering without an approved master’s degree must complete 104 graduate hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) and satisfy other department and Graduate College requirements.
Stage 1
(Entering WITHOUT an approved Master's. Students are not admitted to the MA program directly. When Stage 1 of the doctoral program is completed doctoral students may earn the MA.)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (minimum GPA 3.5 required): | 20 | |
Select one course each from two of the following four areas, for a total of two courses (8 hours): (a) sociolinguistics; (b) computational linguistics; (c) psycholinguistics/acquisition; (d) second language studies/applied linguistics | ||
| Syntax I | ||
| Phonology I | ||
| Formal Semantics I | ||
| One course in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods | 4 | |
| LING 590 | Special Topics in Linguistics | 2 |
| LING 504 | Practicum | 2 |
| Elective Courses | 12 | |
| Total Hours | Master's - Stage 1 | 40 |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 16 |
| Stage 1 qualifying paper and examination, with a grade of High Pass | |
| Language Requirement: Students must have proficiency in one language other than their native tongue. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Stage 2
(Entering the PhD Program WITH an approved Master's degree)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One upper-level course in Syntax, Phonology, or Semantics | 4 | |
| One upper-level course in one of the following areas: sociolinguistics, computational linguistics, psycholinguistics/ acquisition, or second language studies/applied linguistics | 4 | |
| Elective courses reflecting the student’s interests and professional goals, selected in consultation with advisor | 12 | |
| Research/Project/Independent Study Hours: | 12 | |
| LING 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 32 |
| Total Hours | Stage 2 only | 64 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | PhD (Stage 1 & 2) | 104 |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Stage 2 qualifying paper and examination | |
| Language Requirement: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the structure of a language that is not their native tongue nor the same language that satisfied the foreign language requirement for the MA degree | |
| One of the languages with which the student is familiar (this may be the student’s native language, or the language used to satisfy one of the language requirements) is a non-European or a non-Indo-European language. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| Master's Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | Yes |
| Qualifying Exam Required: | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required: | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required: | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required: | Yes |
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
- Students will receive grounding in core areas of language and linguistics.
- Students will receive grounding in their area of linguistic specialization.
- Students will learn the research methodology appropriate for their subfield of linguistics.
- Students will gain academic oral communication and presentation skills.
- Students will gain academic writing skills.
- Students will learn to prepare a portfolio for the job market.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
Graduate Degree Programs in Linguistics
(Including African Languages [Bamana, Lingala, Swahili, Wolof, and Zulu], Arabic, Hindi-Urdu, Modern Greek, Persian, Sanskrit, and Turkish)
- Linguistics, MA
- Teaching of English as a Second Language, MA (MATESL)
- Linguistics, PhD
- optional concentrations:
The Department of Linguistics offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language, and Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics. Students are not normally admitted to a terminal master's in Linguistics degree program. More detailed information on departmental programs, offerings, admission, degree requirements, and financial aid, may be found at: www.linguistics.illinois.edu.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
Linguistics Department
Head of Department: Hye Suk James Yoon
Director of Graduate Studies: Tania Ionin
Director of Admissions Committee: Rakesh Bhatt
Linguistics Department website
Linguistics Department faculty
4080 Foreign Languages Building, 707 South Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3563
Linguistics email
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website
Admissions
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements