554960 - Linguistics (MA)
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Application Deadline
Fall: March 15
Contact Information
4064 JFSB
801-422-2937
linguistics@byu.edu
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Required Tests:
GRE — optional
TOEFL for international students with an overall score of 580 (paper-based) or 90 (internet based test) with minimum subscores of 23 in speaking and 22 in other sections of the iBT.
Additional Requirements:
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Writing Sample
Applicants should submit a writing sample (peer-reviewed if possible) in English, no longer than 20 pages, that reflects their best single authored work preferably focused on some area of linguistics, language or communication.
Prerequisites
Competency in two languages other than English. One language at the third-year university level (typically 300-level courses) or ACTFL Intermediate Mid level; and one language at the second-year university level (typically 200-level courses) or ACTFL Intermediate Low level. (Despite its number, SPAN 105 at BYU is considered the first semester of second-year university-level Spanish). Native speakers of languages other than English can count those languages toward this requirement. This requirement can be completed after starting the program, but language courses do not count toward the program’s overall 33 credit hours.
If indicated by an 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. The OPI should be completed before or during the first semester.
Non-native English speakers must take course during winter semester. However, you will be instructed on how this requirement may be waived during your first fall semester.
For those students who did not receive a Linguistics BA, Ling 401, Introduction to Graduate Linguistics, or equivalent course, is required. This must be completed during summer term, before starting the MA program in the fall. Students who believe they have satisfied the prerequisite with an equivalent course at another university should contact the department office at linguistics@byu.edu. We will need to know where and when you took the course, what grade you received, and a copy of the course syllabus so that we can determine its equivalency to Linguistics 401.
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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
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.
Total credit hours: 33
Required courses (21 credits):
In order to allow some students to start specializing more quickly in our program, students with previous linguistic experience can replace, course, course and/or course with advanced electives. The determination to substitute one or more of these three classes will be based on the pertinent linguistic courses taken during a student's Bachelor's program (and the corresponding grades received), or based on written assessments (to be created) one for each of LING course-course-course, or based on oral assessments with professors who regularly teach course-course-course
Electives (12 hours): depending on course availability and consultation with faculty advisors. Students can choose to focus on one of the following areas of emphasis: 1. Linguistics computing, 2. Language acquisition, 3. Language and society, or 4. General linguistics
Thesis (6 hours): course
Examination: oral defense of thesis
(with course as a prerequisite for non-Ling BA {or equivalent} students)
