Linguistics (PhD)
Department website: http://liberalarts.utexas.edu/linguistics/
Through its core courses, the Department of Linguistics provides every doctoral student a thorough foundation in phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and linguistic field methods. The department has five primary research areas: computational linguistics, phonetics and phonology, syntax and semantics, documentary and descriptive linguistics (especially of Latin American languages), and signed language linguistics. The department also offers strong training in historical linguistics and psycho- and neurolinguistics. The faculty seek to give students broad training in linguistics alongside their eventual specialization in one or more subfields.
A student’s Program of Work in linguistics may be combined with supporting work in other areas such as specific languages; anthropology; computer science; philosophy; psychology; statistics; or speech, language, and hearing sciences.
Graduate Handbook
Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.
Admission Requirements
Admission to graduate work is not necessarily restricted to those who have a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in linguistics, although this background is recommended. A number of other fields can also provide valuable preparation.
Admission to Candidacy
To qualify for admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree, a student must complete 54 semester hours approved for the Program of Work; complete first- and second-year research papers approved for the requirement by the graduate advisor; and submit a qualifying paper and have it approved by a faculty committee.
Total Hours Required: 54
Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 380K | Phonology I | 3 |
| LIN 380L | Syntax I | 3 |
| LIN 380M | Semantics I | 3 |
| LIN 381M | Phonetics | 3 |
| LIN 385 | Field Methods in Linguistic Investigation | 3 |
| Select at least one research equivalency each semester during the first three years: | 18 | |
| Phonology II | ||
| Syntax II | ||
| Research in Computational Linguistics | ||
| Research in Documentary and Descriptive Linguistics | ||
| Research in Phonetics and Phonology | ||
| Research in Syntax and Semantics | ||
| Research in Signed Languages | ||
| Conference Course in Linguistics | ||
any advanced course or non-core area course, including approved courses in other departments | ||
| Select six hours in a minor area (not a course for research equivalency) | 6 | |
| The remaining 15 hours of coursework must be fulfilled by courses approved by the graduate advisor | 15 | |
| Graduate Liberal Arts Requirements | ||
| Graduate University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 54 | |
Additional Requirements and Policy
The minor area and research equivalency courses form a core part of the Program of Work which must be approved by the graduate advisor.
The department has no formal language requirement, but the faculty recommends that students have or acquire some familiarity with at least one language other than their native language.