Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
About the Program
The Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics focuses on the primary areas of the field in sound, syntax, meaning; advanced training in field linguistics and documentary linguistics, experimental linguistics, corpus linguistics, and in second language acquisition. The program provides development of in-depth expertise in at least one area of specialization.
Competencies
- Linguistics PhD graduates will be be able to clearly and coherently discuss fundamental concepts related to languagestructure at the sound, sentence, and meaning levels.
- Linguistics PhD graduates will be able to demonstrate mastery of how to set up a research project in linguistics.
- Linguistics PhD graduates will be able to successfully describe a research project that meets basic methodological standards in the discipline.
- Linguistics PhD graduates will be able to develop a curriculum vitae (CV) that provides key information regarding their academic preparation, employment experience, and research achievements.
- Linguistics PhD graduates will complete a dissertation that details substantive research in their area of specialization.
Admissions Requirements
In evaluating candidates for admissions to its graduate degree programs, the Linguistics & TESOL faculty have adopted a comprehensive approach that is sensitive to the diversity of backgrounds of its applicants. To this end, the following constellation of quantitative and qualitative factors has been established to make explicit the range of criteria upon which admissions decisions will be based.
Quantitative Factors
- Grade Point Average (GPA): the undergraduate GPA as determined by the UT Arlington graduate admissions.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores. All applicants are required to submit GRE scores. The Department of Linguistics & TESOL evaluates each applicant’s sub-scores separately: verbal, quantitative, and analytical.
- TOEFL Scores (international applications only). Applicants for whom English is not their native language must also present a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS equivalent score.
Qualitative Factors
- Letters of Recommendation. Each applicant must present three (3) letters of recommendation that unequivocally indicate that the applicant is prepared for and capable of successful graduate study in linguistics or TESOL at UT Arlington. The letters should further indicate that the applicant is capable of completing the appropriate degree program.
- Statement of intent. Each applicant must write a statement that explains their plan of study and specialization in our department. The statement will be evaluated on the degree to which it is clear, reasonable, and consistent with the research and teaching agenda of the current faculty in Linguistics & TESOL at UT Arlington. Prospective applicants should consider the departmental website and faculty research and teaching areas as they evaluate whether they would be able to accomplish their plan of study in our department, especially if they are applying to the doctoral program. Possible areas of specialization are those outlined on the department website. The statement should also convey a level of commitment and maturity commensurate with the applicant’s desired degree goals.
- Mandatory Course Work. Applicants to PhD in Linguistics should present all of the following:
- English composition (ENGL 1302)
- College-level mathematics (MATH 1302)
- A laboratory science (any 1000-level course in BIOL, CHEM, GEOL or PHYS; LING 5322 may also be used to fulfill this requirement)
- Evidence of research activity during undergraduate studies;
- An undergraduate transcript showing coursework which demonstrates that the applicant has passed with a B or higher the following three courses, or reasonable equivalents as determined by the graduate advisor (UT Arlington equivalents are noted as in parentheses):
- Writing Sample. PhD applicants must submit an academic writing sample (research paper) of 20 pages or less. The paper must be in an area of language or linguistic study, and demonstrate a strong prose style, a solid handle on argumentation, and the ability to do academic research in linguistics or a closely related field.
In formulating a recommendation for admission, the graduate advisors will apply the following admission criteria to each applicant’s admission dossier.
Unconditional admission
Typically, applicants for the Linguistics PhD must be admitted unconditionally. Unconditional admission requirements are as follows.
- Applicants with a BA in Linguistics or closely allied field: The applicant presents an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.6 (on a 4.0 scale) based on upper division course work (junior and senior level or equivalent).
- Applicants without a BA in Linguistics or closely allied field: The applicant presents an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale) and has completed at least 30 hours of graduate-level coursework in any discipline.
- The applicant presents a GRE Verbal score of at least 150, a GRE Quantitative score of at least 146, a GRE Analytical score of at least 4.0, and a full set of excellent Qualitative Factors.
- In addition, applicants for whom English is not their native language and who have not been granted an undergraduate degree by an English-medium institution must also submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 100 iBt or its IELTS equivalent and also submit a score from the Speaking Section of the TOEFL iBT, or the Speaking Section of the IELTS that documents the applicant’s proficiency in spoken English. The speaking score is used for making determination for assistantships; applicants who wish to be considered for an assistantship must receive a score a score of 23 on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL iBT, or a score of 7 on the Speaking Section of the IELTS. This and other requirements for holding an assistantship are described in the Graduate Assistantship/Associateship Policy.
Deferred Admission
Applicants for whom the admission file is incomplete will have a final decision admission deferred. In such cases, a final decision will be made only when the applicant presents a complete admission file.
Denial of Admission
Applicants who do not meet a majority of the admission standards (both quantitative and qualitative) set forth above will be denied admission. For doctoral admission in particular, qualitative factors such as writing sample, statement of intent, or area of intended work may result in a student being denied admission even when quantitative factors are met.
Curriculum
| Theoretical Core | ||
| LING 5320 | PHONOLOGICAL THEORY | 3 |
| LING 5330 | FORMAL SYNTAX | 3 |
| LING 5322 | LABORATORY PHONOLOGY | 3 |
| LING 5328 | PSYCHOLINGUISTICS: SENTENCE PROCESSING | 3 |
| or LING 5338 | PSYCHOLINGUISTICS: VISUAL WORD RECOGNITION | |
| LING 5331 | ADVANCED FORMAL SYNTAX | 3 |
| LING 5345 | SEMANTICS | 3 |
| LING 5347 | PRAGMATICS | 3 |
| Methods | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| FIELD METHODS | ||
| CORPUS LINGUISTICS | ||
| FIELD METHODS SEMINAR | ||
| STATISTICS FOR LINGUISTS (or an approved course in research design or statistics offered by another department) | ||
| Professional Development | ||
| LING 6300 | PROFESSIONAL WRITING SEMINAR | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select five UTA graduate courses in consultation with your advisor | 15 | |
| Dissertation Proposal Hours | ||
| LING 6391 | RESEARCH IN LINGUISTICS | 3 |
| Dissertation Writing Hours | ||
| LING 6999 | DISSERTATION | 9 |
| Total Hours | 57 | |
In the first two semesters of the program, students are expected to enroll in the core classes.
All PhD students must demonstrate knowledge of core areas in linguistics by passing the diagnostic examination requirement outlined on the departmental website.
Doctoral students must satisfy all the coursework requirements of the doctoral program prior to taking courses that do not fulfill the requirements. Any exception to this policy must be approved by a majority vote of the Graduate Studies Committee.
In addition, there are foreign language and professional activities requirements that must be met. Visit the Linguistics & TESOL department website for details.
Advising Resources
Students are highly encouraged to meet regularly with their assigned advisor—at least once per semester and before enrolling in classes—to ensure steady academic progress, identify new opportunities, and align their coursework with their long-term career goals.
Location:
530 University Hall
Email:
ling.advisor@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-3133