Master of Arts Degree
A minimum of 30 credits, 18 from elective courses and 12 credits as follows: LNGS 7010; a course in historical linguistics such as LNGS 7020 or ANTH 7480; a course in the structure of a modern or ancient language (this must be a linguistics course—language courses do not count toward the linguistics graduate degree); and a course in theoretical linguistics. The latter three courses, as well as the remaining 18 credits from elective courses, are chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
Electives may be selected from any of the following areas: anthropology, Asian and Middle Eastern languages and cultures, classical languages, English language study, Germanic linguistics, Indic linguistics, philosophy, psychology, Romance linguistics, Slavic linguistics.
Comprehensive Examination
All students must pass a comprehensive qualifying examination, normally offered in the spring of the second year. The exact form of the comprehensive exam is determined by the Committee on General Linguistics.
Thesis (optional)
Three of the total 30 credits may be devoted to writing a thesis. In order to write a thesis, a student must submit a written thesis proposal signed by two members of the linguistics committee who have agreed to supervise the research. The signed proposal must be submitted to the Program Director no later than September 30 of the student’s second year. Before beginning to write the thesis, the student must have successfully completed the comprehensive examination.