Linguistics PhD

The University at Buffalo’s Linguistics Department offers a comprehensive program covering the major areas of linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax and discourse/pragmatics. Our faculty focuses on the interface between language and cognition, empirically grounded linguistic theory, and both cross-linguistic studies and in-depth studies of individual languages other than English.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses

(Students with substantial prior preparation in linguistics choose one core course in each of the areas of: (1) Phonetics/Phonology;(2) Morphosyntax; (3) Semantics - plus a fourth course in their desired area of specialization; students without substantial prior preparation take two core courses in each area.)

One advanced Syntax course:

Comparative Syntactic Theories
Construction Grammar
Current Syntactic Theory
Head-driven Phrase Structure Grammar
Role and Reference Grammar

LIN 526LEC - Comp Syn Theory Credits: 3
LIN 552LEC - Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar Credits: 3
LIN 614SEM - Current Syntactic Theory Credits: 1 - 3
LIN 623SEM - Advanced Lin Credits: 1 - 3

Specialization Courses

Four courses/seminars in the student area of specialization, including core and methods courses where applicable

Breadth

Three additional courses outside the student’s area of specialization

Methods Courses*

Two Methods Courses, either:
1. two semesters of Field Methods
2. OR two semesters of Quantitative Methods; Computational Linguistics; Corpus Linguistics
3. OR two semesters of Advanced Statistical Methods

Electives

Additional 500- or 600-level regular courses offered by the Department of Linguistics

Areas of Specialization

PhD students are required to take four courses in their main specialty (including relevant core and methods courses), and are expected to choose their two methods courses in accordance with their specialization. Students need not choose their area of specialization early in their graduate career; faculty only expect that students take these four courses by the time they finish their course work (i.e., complete their 72 credit hours).

Students admitted to the PhD track who decide, during the first or second year, that they no longer wish to pursue a PhD, may instead complete the course requirements for the MA specialization and take the MA exam.

SPECIALIZATIONS AND APPLICABLE COURSES

This list of courses is intended only as a guideline, and additional classes may be added to these lists upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). Please also note that some courses are more frequently taught than others. Students should contact the DGS to inquire about future course scheduling.

Psycho/Neurolinguistics*

*Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics are highly interdisciplinary and may involve substantial work in other departments.

LIN 514LEC - Corpus Linguistics Credits: 3
LIN 517LEC - Psycholinguistics Credits: 3
LIN 555LEC - Language Acquisition Credits: 1 - 3

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Time-To-Degree

5 Years

Application Fee

$75

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.