Linguistics, PhD

Program Overview

The PhD in Linguistics at George Mason University focuses on the core areas of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, preparing students for careers in academia, industry, government, and organizations concerned with language and second language acquisition. The program consists of 72 credits, including core courses, research methodology, seminars, and electives, and culminates in a dissertation. Graduates may become research and teaching professors, administrators of language-learning programs, or consultants in computational linguistic research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD in Linguistics at George Mason University trains students in the science of language. The program focuses on core areas of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Students can also integrate these core areas with the study of second language acquisition and/or computational linguistics. The program prepares students for careers in academia, industry, government, and organizations concerned with language and second language acquisition. Graduates may become research and teaching professors, administrators of language-learning programs, and consultants in computational linguistic research.

Outline:

Degree Requirements:

• Total Credits: 72
• Optional Linguistics Foundation Course:
• LING 500 Linguistic Variation (0-3 credits)
• Core Courses:
• General Linguistics: Select eight courses from the following (24 credits):
• LING 731 Phonetics
• LING 732 Phonology A
• LING 733 Phonology B
• LING 735 Morphology
• LING 736 Syntax A
• LING 737 Syntax B
• LING 638 Semantics and Pragmatics 1
• LING 738 Semantics and Pragmatics 2
• LING 671 Computational Linguistics I
• LING 771 Computational Linguistics II
• Language Acquisition: Select two courses from the following (6 credits):
• LING 642 Second Language Acquisition 1
• LING 742 Second Language Acquisition 2
• LING 741 First Language Acquisition
• Research Methodology: Select one of the following (3 credits):
• LING 714 Experimental Methods
• LING 715 Statistical Methods in Linguistics
• LING 716 Linguistic Field Methods
• LING 717 Computational and Quantitative Methods in Linguistics
• Qualifying Papers:
• LING 898 Advanced Qualifying Research 1 (3 credits)
• LING 899 Advanced Qualifying Research 2 (3 credits)
• Two Seminars:
• Select 6 credits from the following (16 credits):
• LING 800 Advanced Seminar in Linguistics (3 credits)
• Students take two seminar courses in two chosen fields.
Seminar topics change every time they are offered and may be repeated for credit.
• Electives:
• Choose four to five graduate LING courses not used to fulfill another requirement (except for LING 998 and LING 999), or other approved courses (12-15 credits)
• If LING 500 Linguistic Variation is taken, four electives are required.

Advancement to Candidacy:

• Students must complete all coursework required on their approved program of study.
• Students must successfully pass a written qualifying exam and an oral qualifying exam.
• Students must have a dissertation committee appointed by the Dean's Office and an approved proposal.

Dissertation:

• Students must follow the university's continuous registration policy as specified in AP.6.10.6 Dissertation Research.
• Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation.
• Students apply to this degree a minimum of 12 dissertation credits (LING 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation combined) with at least 3 credits of LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation.
• Due to the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.
• Dissertation Research:
• LING 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal
• LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation (12 credits)

Assessment:

• Program Outcomes:
• Understand the core concepts of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
• Develop a thorough knowledge in a subfield of linguistics.
• Show proficiency in research methodology.
• Write and verbally present in an organized academic style, appropriate for the field of linguistics.

Careers:

• Academia: Research and teaching professors
• Industry: Consultants in computational linguistic research
• Government: Administrators of language-learning programs