Linguistics MA

Statement of Purpose

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.

Admission and Entry:

Application deadline is January 15^th, with entry in the fall. Apply on-line at http://www.byu.edu/gradstudies.
GRE exam is required.
Current Resume
A minimum TOEFL score of 580 (paper), 237 (computer), or 90 (internet based – iBT with minimum scores of 23 in Speaking and 22 in Listening, Reading, and Writing) is required prior to admission for nonnative English speakers, http://international.byu.edu.

Prerequisites:

Ling 330 Introduction to Linguistics (Modern), or equivalent (contact department, linguistics@byu.edu, if you would like to take this summer term).
Competency in two languages other than English (one at the 300 level and one at the 200 level).
- Note: This requirement can be completed along with regular course work, but it does not count towards the overall 33cr. program requirement.
If indicated by 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. OPI should be completed before or during the first semester.
Nonnative English speakers must take ESL 404 Advanced Composition winter semester. You will be contacted on how this requirement may be waived.
- Note: This requirement will be taken after admittance into the program.

Requirements for Degree (total credit hours: 33)

Required courses:
- Foundation (9 hours): Ling 601, 602, 603
- Research core (3 hours): Ling 604
Electives (15 hours): To be selected depending on course availability and in consultation with faculty advisors.
Thesis or project (6 hours).
Examination: oral defense of thesis or project (consult department for details).

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Ling 601	Linguistic Foundations: Sounds of Language. (3 cr.) (prereq: Ling 330 or equivalent) Principles of phonetics and phonology with emphases on analytical procedures and applications to real world language problems.
Ling 602	Linguistic Foundations: Structures of Language. (3 cr.) (prereq: Ling 330 or equivalent) Principles of morphology and syntax with emphases on analytical procedures and applications to real world language problems.
Ling 603	Linguistic Foundations: Meanings in Language. (3 cr.) (prereq: Ling 330 or equivalent) Principles of semantics and pragmatics with emphases on analytical procedures and applications to real world language problems.
Ling 604	Research Design in Linguistics. (3 cr.) Overview of, and experience in, research approaches and methodologies in linguistics and applied linguistics with a concentration on Linguistics Department faculty research interests.
Ling 545	Psycholinguistics. (3 cr.) How the mind interprets, stores, retrieves, and produces language. Anatomical structures and physiological processes of the brain dealing with language.
Ling 550	Sociolinguistics. (3 cr.) Research and theory in anthropological linguistics and sociolinguistics.
Ling 551	Anthropological Linguistics. (3 cr.) Language in culture and society: development, typology, and description.
Ling 558	Historical-Comparative Linguistics. (3 cr.) (prereq: Ling 450 or equivalent) Theory and method of language change via comparing daughter languages and reconstructing ancestral languages. Language universals and typology.
Ling 580R	Problems in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. (1-3 cr.) Advanced research in language acquisition, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, linguistics field study, applied linguistics.
Ling 581	Natural Language Processing. (3 cr.) (Prerequisite: instructor's consent.) Upper-division linguistics/CHum students with less programming experience may enroll with instructor’s consent. Intensive overview of natural language processing including computational techniques, hands-on experience with linguistics technologies and corpora, language modeling approaches, and readings from current research.
Ling 590R	Readings in Linguistics. (1-3 cr.) (Prerequisite: instructor's consent.) Individual study of current linguistic literature. Occasional discussion sessions with instructor and other class members. Pass/fail grade only.
Ling 599R	Academic Internship: Linguistics. (1-9 cr.) On the job experience under faculty supervision, with department approval.
Ling 615	Analogical Modeling of Language. (3 cr.) Non-declarative approaches to language description; work within the connectionist or neural net framework; analogical or exemplar modeling.
Ling 640	Language Acquisition. (3 cr.) First- and second-language acquisition viewed in light of psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics.
Ling 651	Advanced Phonology. (3 cr.) Study of sound systems of natural languages using current methods and theories
Ling 652	Advanced Morphology. (3 cr.) Morphological theory and applications including the lexicon, inflectional and derivational processes, compounding, valency, lexical conceptual and argument structure, morphophonology and morphosyntax, learnability, and modeling.
Ling 653	Advanced Syntax. (3 cr.) Theory of generative grammar, emphasizing its history, the competition between different versions of generative theory, and their recent extensions.
Ling 654	Advanced Semantics. (3 cr.) Semantic theory and applications including quantification, modality, aspect, presupposition, contexts, focus, polarity, and pragmatics.
Ling 698R	Master’s Project. (1-3 cr.) Design, production, and evaluation of MA project in linguistics or TESOL. May involve various media: paper/print, computer software, audio recordings, or video recordings. Supervised by graduate advisory committee chair.
Ling 699R	Master’s Thesis. (1-9 cr.)

Graduate ELang courses (500-600 level) approved by your Linguistics MA committee can also be used as electives.