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 for those with a LING BA.

  • Total credit hours:  33
    • Required courses: (6 hours)
      • Topics in Linguistics (3 hours): Ling 600
      • Research Design in Linguistics (3 hours): Ling 604
    • Electives (21 hours): to be selected depending on course availability and in consultation with faculty advisors
    • Thesis (6 hours)

Requirements for Degree for those without a LING BA or equivalent.

  • Total credit hours:  33
    • Pre-requisite: Ling 401 Introduction to Linguistics (contact department, linguistics@byu.edu, if you would like to take this summer term.)
  • Required courses: 12 hours
  • Electives (15 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).

Students can choose to focus on four emphases within the program.  These are:

  1. Corpus Linguistics/Linguistics Computing
  2. Language Acquisition
  3. Language and Society
  4. General Linguistics
Admission Requirements: 

Required Tests

GRE 

TOEFL for international students with an overall score of 580 (paper-based) or 90 (internet based test) with minimum subscores of 23 in speaking and 22 in other sections of the iBT. 

Additional Requirements

Prerequisites:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

International Applicants:

All international applicants must complete a foreign credential evaluation with IERF and request to have the official report sent electronically to BYU Graduate Studies (before the applicable program application deadline) in order to considered eligible for admission.

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 27
International 5
Female 14
LDS 26
Non-White 10
BYU Undergraduate 12
Three Year Average Test Scores of Admitted Student
GRE Composite Score 310.6
GRE Quantitative Score 152.0
GRE Quantitative Percentile 48.1
GRE Verbal Score 158.6
GRE Verbal Percentile 76.2
GRE Analytical Score 4.1
GRE Analytical Percentile 59.3
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree 2.9
Graduated Per Year 7.6
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year 13.6
Admitted Per Year 10.8
Percent Admitted 79.41
Average GPA 3.67