MA Linguistics at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The terminal two-year MA in Linguistics or Applied Linguistics prepares students for academic paths, linguistics-related business roles or English language teaching; the title is chosen at graduation. A TESOL Certificate can be added.

Faculty: Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of Linguistics | Duration: Two years (30 credits minimum) | Intake: Fall | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

30 credits minimum: 12 core credits (Phonetics, Phonology or Morphology, Syntactic Theory, Research Methods), LING 1000 if needed, and 18 further credits across two of five focus areas: Sociolinguistics, Hispanic Linguistics, Second Language Pedagogy, a Less-Commonly-Taught Language or modern language, and Statistics/Data Science. No thesis; an optional capstone.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GradCAS application: $75 fee, transcripts, three recommendation forms, career/research statement, CV and academic writing sample; MA deadline March 15 for fall (early application recommended). International: TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo; recommended TOEFL new-scale 5.0 (4.5 reading/listening/writing, 5.0 speaking) or 95 iBT, IELTS 7 (6.5 per section), Duolingo 130.

Domestic applicants: USD 27,412 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 49,272 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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