PhD Linguistics at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

A PhD programme in theoretical linguistics that prepares a small number of students (five to seven admitted a year from 130-plus applications) to become researchers and teachers. Concentrations include syntax, semantics, phonology, phonetics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition, language variation, morphology and computational linguistics.

What you will study

Most coursework is completed in the first three years, with years four and five devoted to dissertation research. Students write and defend two general papers and a breadth paper, gain teaching experience, form a Doctoral Guidance Committee by the third semester, and often take related courses in philosophy, computer science, communication disorders, psychology and mathematics.

Career pathways

Graduates become professors of theoretical linguistics at universities worldwide; others work in non-academic professional contexts.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

PhD Linguistics: applicants need a BA, BS or MA and evidence of ability to do serious study of a complex subject (strong academic work in humanities, natural or social sciences, original research, or in-depth knowledge of languages). Complete the Graduate School application by December 20 (fall only; no spring admission). GRE is not required. Applicants who are not US citizens and whose native language is not English submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE; applicants from India must also submit scores. No MA is required; there is no MA programme.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Fall only; deadline December 20

Duration: About 5 years

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