Linguistics
MA
Application Deadlines
Fall:January 15
Contact Information: 
4064 JFSB
801-422-2937
linguistics@byu.edu
Website
Program Requirements: 

The purpose of the linguistics MA program is closely related to the department's definition of linguistics, which is the scientific study of language. The program aims to prepare the student to become a language professional, go on to a PhD program, or go into the world as a competent practitioner of the skills expected of a linguist. A more applied, but popular emphasis in the department is a track that combines linguistics with computer skills. The linguistics curriculum develops such skills as analyzing language in its sound, structure, and meaning. Optional tracks also introduce the student to such related fields as anthropological linguistics, information design, sociolinguistics, and language-oriented computing.

Requirements for Degree.

  • Total credit hours:  33
  • Required courses:
    • Foundation (9 hours): Ling 601, 602, 603
  • Research core (3 hours): Ling 604
  • Advanced core (3 hours): One of Ling 651, 652, 653, 654
  • Electives (12 hours): To be selected depending on course availability and in consultation with faculty advisors
  • Thesis (6 hours)
  • Examination: oral defense of thesis (consult department for details).
Admission Requirements: 

Required Tests

GRE 

(TOEFL for international students: score of 580 {paper-based}, 90 {internet based} & minimum score of 23 in speaking; minimum score of 22 in other sections of the iBT) 

Additional Requirements

Prerequisites:

1.  Ling 401 Instruction to Graduate Linguistics, or equivalent course (contact department, linguistics@byu.edu, if you would like to take this summer term.)  Students who believe they have satisfied this prerequisite with an equivalent course ta another university should contact the department office at linguistics@byu.edu.  We will need to know where and when you took the course, what grade you received, and a copy of the syllabus so we can determine its equivalency to Ling 401.

2. Competency in two languages other than English (one at the 200 level and one at the 300 level)

Note:  This requirement can be completed after starting the program along with regular course work, but it does not count towards the overall 33 credit program requirement.

3a. If indicated by an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), nonnative English speakers will need to take ESL 301 Advanced Academic English, ESL 302 Advanced English Pronunciation, or ESL 305 Applied Grammar.  The OPI should be completed before or during the first semester.

3b. Non-native English speakers must take Ling 501 during winter semester.  However, you will be instructed on how this requirement may be waived during your first fall semester.

Resume

Applicants should submit a writing sample (peer-reviewed if possible) in English, no longer than 20 pages, that reflects their best single authored work preferably focused on some area of linguistics, language or communication.

Program Outcomes: 


Analysis Skills Development

Analyze linguistic data using appropriate (linguistic) methodology. Be able to understand, interpret, analyze, and assess academic linguistic literature.

Professional Preparation

Demonstrate skills useful for employment or for future graduate studies (e.g. doctoral or other programs in computer science, Hispanic linguistics, applied linguistics, law, communication, marketing, etc.). Examples include: corpus analysis, computer programming, quantitative and qualitative data analysis (including statistical procedures), editing, teaching second languages, natural language processing, and translation.

Effective Presentation

Be able to make formal written and oral presentations on a linguistic topic.

Program Stats

Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students 29
International 5
Female 15
LDS 28
Minority 5
BYU Undergraduate 14
Three Year Average Test Scores of Admitted Student
GRE Composite Score 309.7
GRE Quantitative Score 152.0
GRE Quantitative Percentile 48.7
GRE Verbal Score 157.7
GRE Verbal Percentile 73.8
GRE Analytical Score 4.0
GRE Analytical Percentile 56.0
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree 3.0
Graduated Per Year 7.8
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year 15.0
Admitted Per Year 12.2
Percent Admitted 81.33
Average GPA 3.64