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Programs

Department of Linguistics

Linguistics at Rochester is grounded in the traditional fields of formal linguistics. Faculty employ theoretical and empirical methodologies to examine data and topics in syntax, semantics, pragmatics, phonetics, laboratory phonology, and morphology in collaboration with faculty and students in allied fields. Our work incorporates contemporary issues and practices in these areas. Our graduate programs are designed to integrate students into state-of-the-art linguistic research during the course of their program.

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Department of Linguistics website.

AdmissionsLink to section

Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section

For the three master’s programs we offer—MA in Linguistics, MA in Language Documentation and Description, and MS in Computational Linguistics—we look for people with strong academic records or interesting profiles who a show breadth and depth of interests, especially for pursuing interdisciplinary work.

Applications for admission should include transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework done at other institutions, three letters of recommendation (preferably from linguistics faculty), a statement of purpose that indicates the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work, and a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to research a topic and write your results clearly. TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English proficiency exam scores are required for international students; this may be waived for students from certain countries whose native language is English or for students who have completed at least three years of full-time and in-person postsecondary study in certain countries.

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

We look for people with strong academic records, or interesting profiles, who show breadth and depth of interests, especially for pursuing interdisciplinary work, and with the potential for creativity in pursuing a successful linguistics research program. Many of our students have benefited from engaging in interdisciplinary work with other departments at the University of Rochester. These departments include computer science, philosophy, biomedical engineering, and brain and cognitive sciences, but we are open to other types of collaborations that might include diverse fields such as anthropology or music theory at Eastman. These interests should be addressed in the applicant’s personal statement.

Applications for admission should include transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework done at other institutions, three letters of recommendation (preferably from linguistics faculty), a statement of purpose that indicates the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work, and a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to research a topic and write your results clearly. TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English proficiency exam scores are required for international students; this may be waived for students from certain countries whose native language is English or for students who have completed at least three years of full-time and in-person postsecondary study in certain countries.

AcademicsLink to section

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Department of Linguistics offers three master’s degrees: MA in Linguistics, MA in Language Documentation and Description, and MS in Computational Linguistics. All programs are set up for those who want a background in linguistic analysis and methodology. There are two general paths of study. Plan B (traditional track) is focused on providing students with a background in contemporary linguistics and linguistic subfields through coursework and a final master’s essay and presentation. Plan A is a research track for students who come with prior coursework in linguistics and a research project in mind. Plan A allows students to focus on a research project with a faculty member and requires a thesis of original work presented at the end of the second year.

Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

Graduate students in our PhD program are required to take eight foundational courses, one in each subfield of linguistics (phonetics/phonology, semantics, syntax, statistical methods, field methods, morphology, language variation and change, and research methods); take four electives, including at least one seminar; and write two Qualifying Papers at the end of the second and third year in a topic of their choice related to the student’s interests. In total, 90 credits of coursework and research credits are required for the PhD.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

  • LING 404. History of Linguistic Thought
  • LING 405. Intro to Historical Linguistics
  • LING 410. Intro to Language Sound Systems
  • LING 414. Statistical Methods in Linguistics
  • LING 415. Languages of Africa
  • LING 420. Intro to Syntax
  • LING 424. Intro to Computational Linguistics
  • LING 425. Intro to Semantic Analysis
  • LING 426. Morphology
  • LING 427. Phonetics
  • LING 428. Lexical Semantics
  • LING 437. Phonology
  • LING 440. Language Variation and Change
  • LING 445. Philosophy of Language
  • LING 450. Data Science for Linguistics
  • LING 460. Syntactic Theory I
  • LING 461. Constraint-Based Syntax
  • LING 462. Experimental Syntax
  • LING 465. Formal Semantics
  • LING 466. Pragmatics
  • LING 467. Topics in Semantics
  • LING 468. Computational Semantics
  • LING 470. Preserving Diversity in Language and Culture
  • LING 471. LDD Field Methods
  • LING 482. Deep Learning Methods in Computational Linguistics
  • LING 488. Topics in Language Contact
  • LING 491. Master’s Reading in Linguistics
  • LING 495. Master’s Research in Linguistics
  • LING 501. Research Methods in Linguistics
  • LING 520. Syntactic Theory II
  • LING 526. Morphological Theory
  • LING 527. Prosody
  • LING 537. Seminar in Phonetics and Phonology
  • LING 560. Seminar in Syntax
  • LING 589. Graduate Field Methods
  • LING 590. Supervised Teaching
  • LING 591. PhD Reading Course in Linguistics
  • LING 595. PhD Research in Linguistics
  • LING 595A. PhD Research in Absentia
  • LING 895. Continuation of Master’s Enrollment
  • LING 897. Master’s Dissertation
  • LING 897A. Master’s Dissertation in Absentia
  • LING 897B. Master’s Dissertation – Study Abroad
  • LING 999: Doctoral Dissertation
  • LING 999A: Doctoral Dissertation in Absentia