Linguistics
专业详情
The Master’s degree provides a grounding in the core areas of linguistic theory, supplemented by courses chosen according to the student’s specific interests. The Graduate Group in Linguistics does not provide fellowships for pursuit of a master’s degree, so students must bring funding from another source. We do not offer conditional admission.
See the general page on applications to learn more about the required components, including tips about writing an effective personal statement and rules about TOEFL and other exams. The admission committee looks for applicants to demonstrate an appropriate academic background to pursue specialized research in formal linguistics, as well as showing interests that match the research pursued at Penn. The best way to become familiar with research conducted here is to take a look at current work of the faculty and students. Note that work on applied and educational linguistics at Penn is centered in the Graduate School of Education, and not in the School of Arts and Sciences.
Once you have done this, and before submitting an application, please consult with the graduate chair to discuss your background and interests, and how they would fit into the department. Like the Ph.D. applications, those for the M.A. should normally be submitted between October 1 and December 15.
The requirements for the M.A. degree are the following; at least three semesters in residence are necessary to complete them, but a full two years is the normal length of time, with the final semester spent focused on the thesis.
- Satisfactory completion of eleven approved course units (one semester each), including one year each of phonology — Ling 5310-5320 (Ling 530-531) and syntax — Ling 5510-5520 (Ling 550-551). All courses must be at the 5000 (400) level or above to receive graduate credit.
- A thesis written under the supervision of a faculty committee. The thesis can be based on previous coursework. The committee consists of at least two faculty members, the adviser and a reader, who both must also be members of the graduate group.
- An oral examination based on the thesis. This consists of a private meeting with the committee, during which the student answers questions on the content of the thesis.
The written thesis on which the exam is based should be provided to the committee members in time for them to read it carefully before the exam; normally this will be at least a week, but the committee should be consulted for more specific deadlines.
Students who are already in the Ph.D. program at Penn have the option of receiving an M.A. on the way to the final degree, or if leaving the program without receiving a Ph.D. The requirements for this M.A. are the same as those outlined above.
