2008 Linguistics & TESOL graduates

Department of Linguistics & TESOL | The University of Texas at Arlington

Degree Requirements:

Ph.D. in Linguistics

These degree requirements are effective for students entering Fall 2009 or later. Older requirements can be downloaded here: PhD prior to Fall 2006 (PDF) and PhD Fall 2006 to Spring 2009 (PDF).

Ph.D. Linguistics Program Objectives

The Ph.D. degree provides advanced training in field linguistics and documentary linguistics, in the primary areas of the field in sound, syntax, and meaning and in second language acquisition, as well as training in linguistic computing and experience in presenting original research in professional venues. Students will pursue and develop in-depth expertise in at least one area of specialization.

Interested in applying to the program? See our Prospective Students page.

Admissions Requirements for Applicants

Starting in 2009, new Ph.D. Linguistics students will be admitted for the fall semester only. Students will not be admitted into the Ph.D. program for the spring or summer terms.

Be sure to read the Admissions Requirements (PDF) for Linguistics & TESOL graduate programs.

Ph.D. Linguistics Degree Plan Overview

The doctorate in linguistics consists of 57 hours of graduate-level coursework:

Students requiring leveling courses (see further below) must add 9 hours, for a total of 66 hours. Students entering with an M.A. in linguistics may be able to waive up to 15 hours, at the discretion of the department, for equivalent graduate courses completed at a B or higher in their master's program.

Coursework

Theoretical Core Courses: All students must complete two courses from each of the following three areas (18 credits):

  1. Sound Structure
    • LING 5320: Phonological Theory
    • LING 5332: Advanced Phonological Theory
  2. Grammatical Structure
    • LING 5330: Formal Syntax
    • LING 5331: Advanced Formal Syntax
  3. Meaning and Use
    • LING 5347: Pragmatics
    • LING 5345: Semantics

Students who have completed any of the Theoretical Core Courses listed above as part of their previous training (e.g., by having earned an M.A. in linguistics at UT Arlington or elsewhere) must substitute an advanced course in the same core area. (See "Area of Specialization" below for advanced courses in each of the three areas.) Under no circumstances may the requirement for 18 credits of Theoretical Core Courses be waived.

Methods Courses: All students must complete the following four courses (12 credits).

  1. LING 5380: Field Methods
  2. LING 5381: Computer and Natural Language
  3. LING 6380: Advanced Field Methods
  4. LING 6381: Research Design and Statistics
    (or an approved course in research design or statistics offered by another department)

Students who have completed any of the Methods Courses listed above as part of their previous training (e.g., by having earned an M.A. in linguistics at UT Arlington or elsewhere) must substitute another graduate-level course consistent with their overall plan of study and research. The substitution must be approved by the Ph.D. Advisor. Under no circumstances may the requirement for 12 credits of Methods Courses be waived.

Professional Development Course: All students must complete the following course (3 credits):

Students who have completed the Professional Development Course listed above as part of their previous training (e.g., by having earned an M.A. in linguistics at UT Arlington or elsewhere) must substitute another graduate-level course consistent with their overall plan of study and research. The substitution must be approved by the Ph.D. Advisor. Under no circumstances may the requirement for 3 credits of Professional Development be waived.

Area of Specialization: Students must establish an area of specialization and within that area complete two additional courses (6 credits), plus at least one seminar in that specialization. The areas (and the approved courses) are:

  1. Sound Structure:
    • LING 5314: Historical and Comparative Linguistics
    • LING 5322: Laboratory Phonology
    • LING 5334: Morphology
    • LING 6392: Seminar in Phonetics/Phonology
  2. Grammatical Structure:
    • LING 5314: Historical & Comparative Linguistics
    • LING 5333: Functional Typological Grammar
    • LING 5334: Morphology
    • LING 5335: Language Universals & Typology
    • LING 6393: Seminar in Syntax
  3. Meaning & Use:
    • LING 5314: Historical and Comparative Linguistics
    • LING 5332: Discourse Grammar
    • LING 5350: Text Analysis
    • LING 5351: Spoken Discourse
    • LING 6394: Seminar in Semantics/Pragmatics
  4. Second Language Acquisition:
    • LING 5303: Contrastive Analysis and Error Analysis in the Teaching of English as a Second or Foreign Language
    • LING 5304: Pedagogical Grammar of English
    • LING 5305: Second Language Acquisition
    • LING 5307: Pedagogical Phonology of English
    • LING 6395: Seminar in Second Language Acquisition
  5. Language Documentation:
    • LING 6390: Linguistics Seminar (when topic is appropriate)
    • (other courses to be determined)

Seminar Courses: All students must take 6 hours in seminars. Students should consult with their advisor in planning choices; at least one seminar must be in the student's area of specialization.

Dissertation Research (12 credits)

  1. Proposal: LING 6391: Research in Linguistics; includes oral exam (Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination).
    • Students enrolling in LING 6391 must have completed at least 24 credits in the Ph.D. Program, and must have already made arrangements with a faculty member to serve as their dissertation supervisor.
    • LING 6391 must be repeated for credit until the student has successfully defended his/her dissertation proposal; only then will the student be considered for advancement to candidacy.
    • Students who have completed all required coursework, need to prepare their dissertation proposal, but must be enrolled in more than 3 credits (e.g., for visa or employment purposes), may enroll in LING 6691 or 6991.
  2. Dissertation: LING 6999; includes oral exam (Ph.D. Dissertation Defense)
    The format of the dissertation defense is as follows:
    • Part 1: Candidate gives a public lecture on his/her research (~ 1 hour)
    • Part 2: Candidate confers in private with the dissertation committee

Additional Requirements

The Foreign Language Requirement, Diagnostic Examination, and Professional Activities Requirement are currently under revision.

Comprehensive Examination: In the Linguistics Doctoral Program, the "Dissertation Proposal Defense" (see "Dissertation Research," above) functions as the Comprehensive Examination. Students intending to defend a thesis, dissertation, or dissertation proposal must submit a complete draft – including all chapters plus references and supporting materials – to all members of their committee no later than noon on the Monday of the ninth week of the semester. After the draft has been read by the committee, students will then be notified whether or not the committee will approve a request to defend the work that same semester.

Students who do not meet this deadline will not be eligible to defend the work that semester.

Students who have presented a Dissertation Proposal Defense must afterwards file a "Comprehensive Exam Report" with the Graduate School.

Leveling Courses: Students with no prior study in linguistics (as indicated by an official transcript) must complete the following three leveling courses:

  1. LING 5300: Linguistic Analysis
  2. LING 3330: Phonetics and Phonology
  3. LING 3340: Grammar and Morphology

Students required to take the leveling courses must earn a grade of 'A' or 'B' in each to be allowed continued enrollment in the program, regardless of their performance in any other linguistics courses.

Students who present documentation of comparable coursework (with grades no lower than 'B-' in each case) have the leveling course requirement waived from their program of study. The Ph.D. Advisor will be charged with evaluating previous coursework and making decisions about leveling course waivers.

Admissions Requirements

If you are interested in enrolling in this program, consult the Prospective Students page.

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