Linguistics

The Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers students a comprehensive understanding of the scientific study of language. This program explores the core areas of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, providing students with a broad foundation in how languages are structured and function. The curriculum is designed to foster analytical thinking and critical reasoning skills, enabling students to investigate the intricacies of human language across different cultures and communities. Students will engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, such as language acquisition, language processing, and sociolinguistics, preparing them for diverse careers in research, education, technology, and communication industries. The program encourages exploration of interdisciplinary topics, including cognitive science and anthropology, to deepen understanding of language in human life. Through a combination of lectures, research projects, and language labs, students gain hands-on experience with linguistic data and methodologies. The Department of Linguistics also offers opportunities for students to participate in research projects, internships, and conferences, fostering professional development and collaboration with experts in the field. Graduates of the program are equipped with the analytical skills necessary for advanced study or careers in areas such as computational linguistics, language technology, speech therapy, and language education. With a diverse faculty renowned for their research and teaching excellence, the University of Illinois provides an enriching environment for students passionate about exploring the fundamental aspects of human language. The program aims to develop not only technical proficiency but also an appreciation for linguistic diversity and the social significance of language. Whether students are interested in pursuing graduate studies or seeking to apply linguistic knowledge in practical settings, the Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at Illinois prepares them to understand and analyze the complex nature of language in a rapidly changing world.

64 graduate credit hours are required for the Ph.D. in Linguistics. Credit hours which have already been applied to another degree, such as the M.A. in Linguistics, do not count toward this total; nor do preparatory courses taken as a condition on admission. The requirements below are in effect for all students entering the program in Fall Semester 2013 or later. Students who entered the program earlier may also complete their degrees under these requirements, or may elect to complete their degrees under the previous requirements.

A. Practicum, Research Paper and Oral Exam (4 hours):

• LING 504: Practicum (2 hours)
• LING 590: Special Topics in Linguistics (2 hours)

During their first year in the Ph.D. program (normally the third year overall for students entering from the Linguistics M.A. Program), students must submit an original research paper, and pass an oral examination in which the paper is presented to a committee of faculty members, who may ask questions regarding the research, the written paper, and the presentation. The paper should be completed under the supervision of a faculty member,while enrolled for at least two credit hours of LING 590 with that faculty member as instructor, and also enrolled in LING 504.

B. Area of Specialization:

Students must specialize in a particular subfield of linguistics, and complete the requirements for their area of specialization. The following standard specializations are available; students may also design their own specializations with the help and approval of their faculty advisor.

C. Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (12 hours)

Students must complete at least 12 credit hours of LING 590: Special Topics in Linguistics, or of another independent research course approved by the advisor.

D. Language Requirement:

All Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate knowledge of the structure a language that is neither their native tongue nor the same language that satisfied the foreign language requirement for the M.A. degree. This requirement may be met through LING 514: Field Methods, or courses such as FR 416: Structure of French or GER 465: Linguistic Structures of German, or in other ways approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

E. Thesis Hours Required (32 hours)

Students must complete at least 32 credit hours of LING 599: Thesis Research. Enrollment in LING 599 is not normally allowed before the semester in which the student expects to complete the Preliminary Examination.

F. Seminar Presentation

Each student must make at least one research presentation to the Linguistics Department Seminar.

G. Preliminary Examination

All students must pass the Preliminary Examination, normally in the second year of the Ph.D. program (fourth year overall for students who entered through the Linguistics M.A. Program).

• To take the Preliminary Examination, first finish all your course requirements. Work closely with your advisor to prepare a written dissertation proposal. Assemble your examination committee, bearing in mind the policies on committee membership set by the Graduate College. Submit your written proposal to your committee at least two weeks before the oral examination, which may be scheduled through theGraduate Student Services Office of the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics.
• The examination consists of an oral presentation of the dissertation proposal before the committee. The committee may ask questions about the proposed research, the written proposal, or the presentation.

H. Final Examination/Dissertation Defense

All students must write a dissertation and successfully defend its thesis in an oral examination. Familiarize yourself early in the process with the Graduate College policies and procedures regarding dissertations.

• The Final Examination committee is normally (but not necessarily) identical to the Preliminary Examination committee. If it is different, please bear in mind the policies on committee membership set by the Graduate College. Work closely with your advisor and other committee members to be sure the dissertation is satisfactory before arranging for the Final Examination. The completed disseration must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks prior to the examination, which may be scheduled through the Graduate Student Services Office of the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics.
• The Final Examination consists of an oral presentation of the dissertation and defense of its thesis before the committee. The committee may ask questions about the research, the written dissertation, or the presentation.

I. Dissertation Deposit

Following successful completion the defense, make any revisions requested to the dissertation by the committee, and secure the approval of your advisor. Make sure the dissertation conforms to the Graduate College formatting policies. Deposit the dissertation according to the procedure set by the Graduate College.

Requirements

• Students who complete the M.A. in Linguistics at the University of Illinois by passing the Qualifying Examination may apply to the Student Evaluation and Examination Committee to enter the Ph.D. program. Entrance requires a grade point average of 3.5 or better in the required M.A. courses (not counting the electives), a minimum grade point average of 3.0 over all graduate work in linguistics, and distinction in passing the Qualifying Examination. In deciding whether students will be admitted to the Ph.D. program, the committee considers their performance in meeting these requirements, as well as their general potential for successfully conducting advanced linguistic research.
• Students who have completed the MATESL degree at the University of Illinois or a master's degree in Linguistics, TESL, or a related field at another university may apply for direct admission to the Ph.D. program. Please refer to our Admissions page. Recommended preparation includes courses equivalent to our LING 501: Syntax I; LING 502: Phonology I; either LING 425: Introduction to Psycholinguistics or LING 450: Sociolinguistics I; and at least one of LING 507: Formal Semantics I, LING 509: Topics in Cognitive Linguistics, and LING 551: Pragmatics. Students entering the Ph.D. program without such preparation are required to take these courses immediately on entering the program; the courses do not count toward the 64 hours required for the Ph.D.
• Personal Statement, 1-2 pages
• Resume or CV
• Scanned transcripts, Certificates of Degree and/or Diplomas for all post-secondary schools attended (undergraduate and graduate) with English translations when applicable.  Official documents (originals or “attested” copies) will be required if you are admitted.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation submitted online by your letter writers (preferably professors who have had you in class)
• Writing Sample (such as a research paper) of 10-20 pages (MA and PhD in Linguistics only). MATESL applicants should also submit a writing sample, but there is no length requirement.
• GRE score report (taken within the last five (5) years) should be sent by ETS to institution code #1836, dept. #00.  There is no minimum score requirement.
• Non-native English speakers must also ask ETS to supply their TOEFL iBT score report (103 total or higher preferred with a minimum score of 24 in the speaking subsection; please see http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/instructions/04c for the details) or upload their IELTS score report to the online application.  The test provided must be taken within two (2) years of the term of entry.  This requirement may be waived if within five years of the term of enrollment, you have completed at least two academic years of full-time study or completed a graduate degree in a country where English is the primary language of instruction.  Please note, however, that this waiver is for admission purposes only and does notprovide an exemption from the English Proficiency Requirement below for non-native English speaking teaching assistants.

Scholarships

• Illinois Distinguished Fellowships
• School of Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics Fellowship
• Under-represented  https://www.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship/listing/2728
• Dissertation Completion grant https://www.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship/listing/2807
• Teaching Assistantships
• Research Assistantships
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 
• Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship

The Linguistics program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers students a comprehensive study of the scientific analysis of language and its structure. The program aims to provide a deep understanding of various linguistic theories, phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Students can explore diverse areas such as language acquisition, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, computational linguistics, and linguistic anthropology, gaining insights into how language functions in different social and cognitive contexts.

The curriculum is designed to include both theoretical and practical components, encouraging students to develop skills in analytical thinking, research methodology, and data analysis. Students have opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects, collaborate with faculty, and attend seminars and workshops that enhance their understanding of contemporary issues in linguistics. The program often includes course options that allow specialization in specific subfields like historical linguistics, language documentation, or computational linguistics.

Students pursuing a major in Linguistics at Illinois benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, including speech laboratories and computational resources, which assist in experimental and computational research. The faculty members are renowned experts in various linguistic disciplines, contributing to innovative research that often addresses real-world problems such as language preservation, speech disorders, and language technology development.

The program prepares students for diverse career paths, including academia, speech and language therapy, language technology industries, and international communication. Graduates often pursue further study through master's and doctoral programs or find employment in education, government agencies, and private sector companies focusing on language data analysis and artificial intelligence.

In addition to the major, students can participate in interdisciplinary minors or certificates related to cognitive science, computing, or international studies, broadening their academic and professional horizons. The Department of Linguistics at Illinois encourages active participation in conferences, internships, and collaborative projects with other departments, fostering a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing the understanding of human language. Overall, the program emphasizes a rigorous scientific approach to language study, equipping students with valuable analytical skills, a broad worldview, and a solid foundation for careers related to language and communication.