Program Overview

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Linguistics, PhD

The Linguistics PhD program at the University of WisconsinMadison is an interdisciplinary hub that houses the PhD program in Linguistics. Students in this program earn a master of arts degree along the way to the PhDno stand-alone MA program is offered.

Program Description

The Linguistics PhD program focuses on research in formal theories of language (encompassing cross-linguistic studies in syntax, phonology, and morphology) and the documentation and revitalization of American Indian languages. Our program combines strong theoretical groundwork with opportunities in a diverse range of experimental and innovative research methodologies. Participating faculty come from Language Sciences itself as well as from related cognitive science and language departments across campus.

Research Areas

• First and second language acquisition
• Psycholinguistics
• Historical linguistics
• Dialect studies
• The linguistics of particular languages or cultural areas, such as signed languages, Spanish and Latin American, East Asian, and Germanic

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics, a language, or a related cognitive science, and a strong desire to use scientific methods of inquiry to push the boundaries of our understanding of how human language works.

Admissions

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).

Admissions Requirements

• Fall Deadline: December 23
• Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
• Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment.
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Admission Process

The department admits only students whose goal is the PhD degree in linguistics. Admission to the PhD program does not require an undergraduate degree in linguistics. Admission is based on the applicant's personal statement, three letters of recommendation, English proficiency scores if applicable, and transcripts of prior academic work.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.

Program Resources

All students admitted to the Linguistics PhD program are offered a full funding package, which typically consists of a fellowship for the first year, and some combination of teaching, project, or research assistantships in subsequent years.

Fellowships

Fellowships are administered through the Graduate School, and all new applicants to the Linguistics PhD program are automatically considered, including both domestic and international applicants.

Teaching Assistantships

Language Sciences currently supports teaching assistantships for LINGUIS 101 Human Language, usually awarded to graduate students after their first year of study.

Project and Research Assistantships

Students awarded a project or research assistantship work closely with a particular professor to aid in their research.

Requirements

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 54 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 42 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Other Grade Requirements: Students must maintain a GPA of 3.67 in required Linguistics courses after the third semester.

Assessments and Examinations

• Submit and defend two prelim papers. One by the end of the fourth semester and the other by the end of the eighth semester.

Language Requirements

• Knowledge of three languages is required:
  • English
  • a non-Indo-European language or a modern Indic language
  • Third language determined in consultation with the advisor according to the students research goals.

Required Courses

• LINGUIS 310: Phonology
• LINGUIS 322: Morphology
• LINGUIS 330: Syntax
• LINGUIS 340: Semantics
• LINGUIS 510: Phonological Theories
• LINGUIS 522: Advanced Morphology
• LINGUIS 530: Syntactic Theories
• LINGUIS 800: Research Methods and Materials
• Seminars: Take 3 seminars (must be 3 credits each) from the following (may repeat the same course number for credit)
• LINGUIS 977: Seminar
• Thesis: Take at least 3 semesters of Thesis (must be 3 credits each) as a dissertator
• LINGUIS 990: Thesis
• Breadth: 12 credits

Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: No credits from a UWMadison undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the degree.

Probation

Probation is a warning to a student who is not making satisfactory progress in the Linguistics graduate program.

Advisor / Committee

Every graduate student must have an official faculty advisor. New students are assigned to the program director by default.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

• The first prelim paper must be completed by the fourth semester.
• The second prelim paper must be completed by the eighth semester.
• All language and course requirements must be completed by the end of the semester in which the second prelim paper is defended.
• A dissertation proposal must be submitted and defended within two weeks of the defense of the second prelim paper.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within the field of linguistics.
2. Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge within linguistics.
3. Creates research that makes a substantive contribution to the understanding of human language.
4. Demonstrates breadth within their learning experiences.
5. Advances contributions of the field of linguistics to society.
6. Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
7. Fosters ethical and professional conduct.