Master of Arts in Linguistics

The master of arts degree in linguistics provides graduate students with interdisciplinary and fundamental training in the field, with a focus on its theoretical core. It prepares students for advanced work in linguistic research, as well as for employment in any profession that requires the precise use or analysis of speech or writing.

The master of arts program consists of a basic core of five general linguistics courses, some of which may be waived if the student has recently completed them as an undergraduate. Students may then select courses from the list of elective courses.

Milestone guidelines for master's students

Incoming students

• Review admissions requirements
• New master's students can only begin their studies in the fall or winter terms
• Review master's degree requirements
• Enquire about scholarship and financial aid opportunities

Mid-point students

• Meet with master's advisor in your first or second semester to discuss course selections and fill out and submit a plan of work no later than by the time twelve credits have been earned
• Meet with master's advisor to discuss essay topic selection. You should find a topic and an academic advisor in the semester prior to your graduation
• If needed, meet with master's advisor to submit a change in plan of work form, change of status forms, request for extension of time forms, etc. Forms can be found on the college's For students page

Graduating students

1. You need to apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester when you are graduating; if you do not graduate that semester, you have to reapply.
2. Establish the timetable for master's essay with your academic advisor:
   1. Work from a date for the defense. The defense date should be held no later than one week before the deadline CLAS has for paperwork submission.
   2. At least two weeks before the defense, students should receive suggestions for revision from their committee members.
   3. At least a month before the defense, students should send a full draft, approved by their primary academic advisor, to all of the committee members.
   4. In the months before that, from at least the beginning of the semester in which you are graduating, students work closely with their primary academic advisor on successive drafts of the essay. You need to negotiate this timeline with your academic advisor.
   5. You are responsible for communicating with all the members of your committee and for scheduling your defense date.
3. After graduating, keep in touch and let us know what you are doing so that we can include that information in our alumni communications.