The Master of Arts degree provides an excellent background for more advanced work in linguistics or fields related to linguistics and the language sciences. Students who complete the MA degree have continued on to PhD programs in linguistics, and to clinical programs in communication disorders. Others have gone on to work in the fields of speech technology or education, among others. In addition, students who are planning a career in the linguistic study and teaching of their native language and in shaping the language policies in their countries of origin can benefit from interaction with the African Studies Center, the Modern Languages & Comparative Literature Department, and the School of Education.

In consultation with an advisor, master’s degree students select a sequence of courses providing both depth and breadth in their area of specialization. Students may also become involved in projects offering opportunities for research and practice, in association with faculty at Boston University and other local institutions including universities, schools, research institutes, or clinics.

Prerequisites

Applicants must have met the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The undergraduate degree may be in any field, but the student must have completed the equivalent of one of Boston University’s introductory classes in linguistics (CAS LX 250, SED LS 565, or CAS EN 511). Students who have not previously had an introductory linguistics course must pass an examination or make up the deficiency through coursework prior to entry or during the first semester. (Introductory linguistics courses will not be counted toward the master’s degree requirements.)

Course Requirements

Eight semester-level courses (32 credits) are required. This includes four core courses; both of the following:

• CAS LX 510 Phonetics & Phonology
• CAS LX 522 Syntax I

plus one course in language structure and linguistic theory:

• CAS LX 502 Semantics I
• CAS LX 521 Morphology
• or GRS AL 756/SED LS 726 Discourse Analysis

and one course that provides an introduction to a major area of applied linguistics:

• CAS AN 521 Sociolinguistics
• GRS LX 700 Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory
• GRS PS 828 Psycholinguistics
• or SAR SH 531 Introduction to Speech and Language Disorders

Students are also required to take four additional specialized courses. Possible specialization areas include the following, or students may design their own specialization in consultation with their advisor.

• Language Acquisition
• Language Structure and Linguistic Theory
• Sign Language Linguistics and Acquisition
• Bilingualism and Language Teaching

Students may receive transfer credit for up to two courses, in accordance with the policies and practices of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. If a student has taken the equivalent of any of the core courses, it may be waived. In this case, the student may substitute another course for the course already taken, but unless the credits are transferred, there will be no reduction in the 32 credits required for the MA.

Language Requirement

Each student who has not previously completed at least two years of study or the equivalent in one foreign language at the undergraduate level must make up the deficiency through coursework or examination.

Final MA Project

Students complete a significant research project relevant to their field of specialization. This may be a publishable paper or a project designed to show mastery of some aspect of the specialization area. Planning of the final project is done in consultation with the advisor. The project or paper is evaluated by the advisor and at least one other member of the faculty of Boston University.

Completion of Degree

The program must be completed within three years of the first registration for study leading to the master’s degree. Students normally register for no more than four courses per semester, but must register for at least one course each semester until course requirements have been fulfilled (or a leave of absence has been granted).

Prerequisites

An applicant for the PhD degree should hold a master’s degree in linguistics, a foreign language, speech and language, or some related field. Prospective applicants with a master’s degree in a field other than those listed are encouraged to enter the master’s program described above before beginning doctoral work. Anyone unsure of eligibility should contact the program director. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a sample of their linguistic work (such as a course paper) with application materials.

Course Requirements

A minimum of 10 courses beyond the master’s degree is normally required for the post-master’s PhD degree. The program consists of seven core courses plus three electives. One of the electives must be a research-oriented course appropriate to the student’s specialization and chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor. The electives are chosen as part of a coherent program of study that is approved at the end of the first semester of enrollment by an advisor and the program director. If their previous courses are equivalent to the core courses, students may, with the approval of the program director, count up to two courses taken as part of their master’s degree program toward the core course requirements, thereby reducing the total number of required courses to eight. (Any core course may be satisfied in this manner except for CAS LX 523 Syntax II and CAS LX 513 Phonology.)

Language Requirement

Competence in two nonnative languages must be demonstrated before completion of degree requirements.

Internship Requirement

Doctoral students are required to complete an internship during their enrollment in the program. This will normally be completed concurrent with coursework and comprehensive requirements, during the first three years of enrollment. This internship must provide students with experience (research, teaching, or other professional work) in an area that is relevant to progress in some aspect of their doctoral program. The requirement may be satisfied in a wide variety of settings and roles, including—but not limited to—teaching or tutoring language learners, conducting supervised research (in some context other than directed study for credit), carrying out linguistic fieldwork, working in an organization that makes use of linguistic research and theory (e.g., commercial or research settings developing speech recognition, natural language understanding, or computerized lexicography systems), acting as an instructor or teaching assistant in linguistics classes, designing or publishing language teaching or learning materials (paper or electronic), or other activities, as jointly decided by the student and advisor. The internship may be paid or volunteer. The default time period will be one semester, but it may be longer or shorter in particular cases. It does not require registration for any for-credit course; in fact, research carried out for credit will not count towards the internship. Its duration will be negotiated among the student, advisor, and where relevant, site supervisors.

Qualifying Examination

A candidate for the doctoral degree must satisfactorily complete one publishable book review (by the end of the first year of coursework) and two substantial research papers in different areas (the first by the end of the fifth semester, the second no later than the seventh semester of enrollment). This work shall be planned and carried out under the supervision of an advisor.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates must submit a dissertation representing original research in an area of linguistics. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed, and approved by the program in a prospectus hearing, before the more extensive phase of dissertation research is begun. A final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the General Requirements for the PhD.

Program Course Offerings

Course descriptions and prerequisites for LX courses (linguistics courses offered through the Department of Modern Languages & Comparative Literature) are presented below. Descriptions for other GRS courses are to be found in the section of this website for the sponsoring department. For other courses, please consult departmental listings in relevant school bulletins (School of Education, Sargent College, and the School of Medicine). Courses not listed below may satisfy electives with approval.

Core Courses for the PhD

Linguistics Core

Required of all students:

• CAS LX 513 Phonology (Prereq: CAS LX 510 Phonetics)

and

• CAS LX 523 Syntax II (Prereq: CAS LX 522 Syntax I)

Students must take four additional courses from the linguistics core:

• CAS AN 521 Sociolinguistics
• CAS LX 500 Topics in Linguistics
• CAS LX 501 Linguistic Field Methods
• CAS LX 502 Semantics I
• CAS LX 503 Semantics II
• CAS LX 510 Phonetics
• CAS LX 521 Morphology
• CAS LX 522 Syntax I
• GRS LX 865 Advanced Topics in Linguistic Theory
• SED LS 726 Discourse Analysis
• SED LS 751 Language Universals

Language Acquisition Core

One course required from the following language acquisition core:

• GRS LX 700 Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory
• GRS PS 848 Developmental Psycholinguistics
• SAR SH 708 Linguistic Theory, Acquisition, and Analysis
• SED LS 566 Language Acquisition
• SED LS 750 Cognitive Development and Language

Electives for the MA and PhD Programs

(Those marked with * count only toward the MA program.)

Linguistic Theory

• CAS AN 521 Sociolinguistics
• CAS LX 500 Topics in Linguistics
• CAS LX 501 Linguistic Field Methods
• CAS LX 502 Semantics I
• CAS LX 503 Semantics II
• CAS LX 510 Phonetics and Phonology
• CAS LX 513 Phonology (prereq: CAS LX 510 or equivalent)
• CAS LX 522 Syntax I
• CAS LX 523 Syntax II (prereq: CAS LX 522 or equivalent)
• CAS LX 535 Historical and Comparative Linguistics
• CAS LX 865 Advanced Topics in Linguistic Theory
• GRS LX 700 Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory
• SED LS 726 Discourse Analysis
• SED LS 751 Language Universals

Language Acquisition

• *SAR SH 524 Bases for Normal Language Acquisition
• SED LS 566 Language Acquisition
• *CAS PS 545 Language Development
• SED LS 750 Cognitive Development and Language
• GRS LX 700 Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory
• GRS PS 848 Developmental Psycholinguistics
• SED LS 753 Studies in Language Acquisition

Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism, and Language Teaching

• SED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition
• SED BI 621 Bilingualism and Biliteracy
• SED BI 620 Educational Issues in Bilingualism
• *SED BI 535 Literacy Development for Bilingual Students
• *SED BI 515 Bilingual Education Methods
• SED TL 509 Methods of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• *SED TL 511 Methods of Teaching Modern Foreign Languages

Linguistic Analysis of Specific Languages

• CAS LF 502/503 Structure of French
• CAS LS 504 History of Spanish
• CAS LX 505 Structure of African Languages
• CAS LX 533 Creole Linguistics
• CAS EN 515/516 History of English
• SED DE 672 Structure of American Sign Language
• *CAS LL 552 Literature and Linguistics

Neurolinguistics and Language Disorders

• CAS PS 543 Cerebral Dominance
• CAS PS 544 Developmental Neuropsychology
• GRS PS 831 Research Seminar in Neuropsychology
• SAR HS 570 Neuropathology
• SAR SE 737 Communicative Disorders and Exceptionality
• SAR SH 505 Introduction to Phonological Disorders
• *SAR SH 531 Introduction to Speech and Language Disorders
• SAR SH 708 Linguistic Theory, Acquisition, and Analysis
• SAR SH 731 Phonological Disorders
• SAR SH 735 Child Language Disorders
• SAR SH 736 Adult Aphasia
• SAR SH 756 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology

Philosophy of Language

• CAS PH 523 Frege, Moore, and Russell
• CAS PH 524 Analytic Philosophy
• CAS PH 526 Wittgenstein
• CAS PH 535 Philosophical Problems of Logic and Mathematics
• CAS PH 536 Philosophy of Language
• CAS PH 585 Philosophy of Mind
• CAS PH 599 Seminar on Russell

Computational Linguistics

• CAS CN 510/520 Principles and Methods of Cognitive and Neural Modeling I and II
• CAS CN 560 Neural and Computational Methods of Speech Perception and Production
• CAS CS 540 Artificial Intelligence
• CAS CS 545 Natural Language Processing
• GRS CS 792 Seminar in Computational Linguistics

Research Methodology

• CAS LX 501 Linguistic Field Methods
• CAS MA 613/614 Statistical Methods I and II
• SED LS 754 Psycholinguistic Research Methods
• SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods
• GRS PS 711/712 Statistics in Psychology I and II
• GRS SO 709 Field Research
• GRS SO 712 Qualitative Research Methods