554960 - Linguistics (MA)
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Application Deadline
Fall: February 16
Contact Information
4064 JFSB
801-422-2937
linguistics@byu.edu
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Required Test:
For non-native English speakers, applicants must have an overall average score of 4.5 and no lower than 4.0 in any of the subscore sections, or if taken with a different scoring scale, an overall score of 90 (internet based test) with minimum subscores of 23 in speaking and 22 in other sections of the iBT, or 580 on the paper-based TOEFL. Only the TOEFL will be accepted, no other English proficiency tests can be used.
Optional Test:
GRE
Additional Requirements:
Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, per university policy.
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Writing Sample: Applicants should submit a writing sample (peer-reviewed if possible) in English between 10 - 20 pages, that reflects their best single-authored academic work preferably focused on some area of linguistics, language or communication.
Prerequisites or corequisites
Competency in two languages other than English. One language at the third-year university level (typically 300-level courses) or ACTFL Intermediate Mid level; and one language at the second-year university level (typically 200-level courses) or ACTFL Intermediate Low level. (Despite its number, SPAN 105 at BYU is considered the first semester of second-year university-level Spanish). Native speakers of languages other than English can count those languages toward this requirement. This requirement can be completed after starting the program, but language courses do not count toward program’s overall 33 credit hours, despite the fact that the grades on those language courses count towards the student's Cumulative GPA at BYU.
If indicated by an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), nonnative English speakers will need to take ESL 301 Advanced Academic English, ESL 302 Advanced English Pronunciation, or ESL 305 Applied Grammar. The OPI should be completed before or during the first semester.
Students who have not completed a Linguistics BA before starting the MA program must complete a self-directed reading of an introductory linguistics textbook before they begin their first semester. Please contact the department for a recommended text and additional study materials.
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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The purpose of the linguistics MA program is closely related to the department's definition of linguistics, which is the scientific study of language. The program aims to prepare the student to become a language professional, go on to a PhD program, or go into the world as a competent practitioner of the skills expected of a linguist. A more applied, but popular emphasis in the department is a track that combines linguistics with computer skills. The linguistics curriculum develops such skills as analyzing language in its sound, structure, and meaning. Optional tracks also introduce the student to such related fields as anthropological linguistics, information design, sociolinguistics, and language-oriented computing.
Total credit hours: 33
Required courses (21 credits):
In order to allow some students to start specializing more quickly in our program, students with previous linguistic experience can replace, course, course and/or course with advanced electives. The determination to substitute one or more of these three classes will be based on the pertinent linguistic courses taken during a student's Bachelor's program (and the corresponding grades received), or based on written assessments (to be created) one for each of LING course-course-course, or based on oral assessments with professors who regularly teach course-course-course
Electives (12 hours): depending on course availability and consultation with faculty advisors. Students can choose to focus on one of the following areas of emphasis: 1. Linguistics computing, 2. Language acquisition, 3. Language and society, or 4. General linguistics
Thesis (6 hours): course
Examination: oral defense of thesis
(with course as a prerequisite for non-Ling BA {or equivalent} students)
