Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics - Phonetics and Phonology

The Department of Linguistics offers programs of graduate study leading to the M.A. and the Ph.D. Theoretical approaches in all areas of linguistics are emphasized, providing a thorough grounding in five core areas of linguistics through required courses in phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and field methods. Advanced courses are offered in the department’s core concentrations of phonetics and phonology, syntax and semantics, descriptive and documentary linguistics, computational linguistics, and the linguistics of signed languages, as well as areas that may be within the research interests of specific faculty. Students may also elect to take related coursework in such departments as Anthropology, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology, and Statistics, as well as specific language departments.The study of speech sounds in human languages includes both phonology (the definition and distribution of sound categories) and phonetics (the realization of those categories in terms of physiological, aerodynamic, acoustic and psychological events). Our conviction is that one can't really understand one of these without a fairly advanced knowledge of the other. The recommended program of courses for students interested in speech sounds thus includes both.

Statement of Purpose - a clear and straightforward statement in which you give an idea of: your current interests in linguistics; how these interests developed; your plans for graduate study and eventual specialization, even if tentative. The statement of purpose may be uploaded electronically through the online application process.Recommendation letters - we require three letters from professors who know you and your work. E-mails will be sent to the recommenders whom applicants identify on the application. The recommenders will receive a link which they can use to upload letters of recommendation.Sample research paper, or work of similar scope, that clearly demonstrates your writing ability. Curriculum VitaeList of Publications (submitted as "Supplemental Info").Do not send official paper transcripts at this time. You will only be required to submit official paper transcripts if you are admitted to the program.A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or a comparable GPA in upper-division work—junior- and senior-level courses—and in any graduate work already completed is also required