MA Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Arts program in linguistics and applied linguistics examines language from both the theoretical and applied perspectives. You build a foundation in core fields such as phonology, semantics, syntax, discourse analysis, and pragmatics, while exploring applied areas including second-language acquisition, language revitalization, sociolinguistics, global Englishes, and computer-assisted language learning.

What you will study

30 credit hours including a foreign language exam and a thesis, or 30 credit hours including a foreign language exam and the required applied project course (LIN 593 or APL 593) Required Core (3 credit hours) LIN 515 American English (3) or LIN 516 Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis (3) General Linguistics Track (6 credit hours) LIN 511 Phonetics and Phonology (3) LIN 514 Syntax (3) Applied Linguistics Track (6 credit hours) LIN 511 Phonetics and Phonology (3) or LIN 514 Syntax (3) LIN 520 Second-Language Acquisition Theories (3) or APL 601 Introduction to Applied Linguistics (3) Electives (12 or 15 credit hours) Research (3 credit hours) LIN 501 Approaches to Research (3) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) LIN 593 or APL 593 Applied Project (3) LIN 599 or APL 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information Students choose one of the two tracks in either general linguistics or applied linguistics.

Career pathways

Graduates from this program emerge with a versatile skill set that opens doors in diverse fields around the world. They work in academia, health care, government or the private sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in such related fields as anthropology, applied linguistics, communication, cognitive science, comparative languages and literatures, literature, education, history, law, linguistics, modern languages, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, rhetoric, composition, sociology, or speech and hearing science from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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