Graduate Degrees
The graduate program in linguistics trains individuals to engage in the scientific study of human language. Course work emphasizes the structural aspects of language and the mechanisms of language change. Students work closely with faculty members on problems in linguistic theory, the description of particular languages, and variation across different users and contexts, focusing on their implications for understanding of social and cognitive structures.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to graduate standing are expected to have a bachelor's degree in linguistics or other appropriate field and knowledge of at least one foreign language. Letters of evaluation from at least three professors (no standard form is required) and scores on the GRE General Test should be submitted as early as possible. A detailed statement of purpose should accompany the application. Students are expected to have had at least an introductory general linguistics course.
Degree Requirements
These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.
Master of Arts in Linguistics (32 units)
Note: The department does not normally admit students with a terminal M.A. objective.
Students pursuing the Ph.D. program in linguistics must first fulfill the requirements of the M.A. in linguistics. This is accomplished by completing a minimum of 32 units in linguistics or cognate disciplines. The choice of courses is subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Committee.
One course may be established by transfer from another accredited institution (with A or B grade only) upon approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. Additionally students are required to demonstrate knowledge of a foreign language or research tool in one of the following ways (A through C) listed under Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirement.
M.A. Research Papers
In addition to course work and the language requirement, students are also required to write two research papers the contents of which represent two distinct areas. For each paper the student will draft an abstract to be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. The completed papers must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee by the fourth semester at the deadline established for that academic year. Oral defenses of the two papers will be conducted by each student following submission of the papers.
Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirement
Students are required to demonstrate knowledge of a foreign language or research tool by choosing one of the following ways (A through C):
(A) A working knowledge of a second language demonstrated by:
1. Scoring above the 65th percentile on the ETS Graduate School Foreign Language Test (either Humanities or Social Sciences option), or
2. Passing a department-internal written translation examination administered by a faculty member, or
3. Demonstrating native speaker competence in a language other than English.
(B) A working knowledge of statistics and experimental design demonstrated by passing with grade B or higher, LING 501a (or its equivalent) and a second course, such as LING 578 or 501b (or its equivalent), where this knowledge is applied to a linguistic research problem. The approval of the student's advisor or guidance committee chair and the Graduate Studies Committee will be required for substituting comparable courses not listed here.
(C) Ability to use the computer as a research tool. Such ability is demonstrated by passing with grade B or above LING 585 (or its equivalent) or by carrying through a linguistically related programming project; this project should be equivalent in magnitude to a term project for a semester course. The approval of the student's advisor or guidance committee chair and the Graduate Studies Committee will be required for substituting comparable courses not listed here.
Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
Screening Procedure
Before a doctoral guidance committee can be established for applicants for the Ph.D. program, a student must pass a screening procedure. This procedure consists of a review of the student's graduate work at USC by the departmental faculty and will be based on the following criteria: course work, including grades and papers; faculty recommendations; and evaluation of research papers (completed prior to the end of the fourth semester of study). After successfully completing the screening procedure, the candidate forms a Ph.D. guidance committee. Refer to the Graduate School section of the catalogue for specific direction on forming a guidance committee.
Course Requirements
Satisfactory completion of 60 units beyond the baccalaureate is required. In addition to all M.A. requirements, the following courses are required: three 600-level seminars and 794ab Doctoral Dissertation. Students must consult with their guidance committee chair not later than the end of the fourth semester of graduate work to establish a Ph.D. course program in preparation for the dissertation; this course program must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.
Students seeking the Ph.D. in linguistics must demonstrate knowledge of two foreign language/research tools in the following ways (A through C) listed under the M.A. Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirement, with at least one of them falling under (A).
Petition to Take the Qualifying Examination
The request to take the qualifying examination should be filed with the guidance committee and the Graduate School the semester before and not later than 30 days prior to the beginning date of the written examination. The student cannot take the written examination without the approval of the guidance committee. Prior to the written examination, the student must submit to each member of the guidance committee a dissertation prospectus and an original research paper.
Qualifying Examination
Ph.D. qualifying examinations are both written and oral. Once a student's petition to take the examination has been approved, the guidance committee will set and administer the written examination. The written examination consists of a limited number of questions in the fields related to the student's research. Students will receive the written examination two weeks after submitting the qualifying paper and will have 30 days to complete the questions. An oral examination will be scheduled by the guidance committee two weeks after the written examination has been submitted. The successful completion of the qualifying procedure is represented by the approval by the guidance committee of: (1) the prospectus, (2) the original research paper, (3) the written examination and (4) the orals.
Dissertation
Doctoral students must submit a dissertation according to the policies and procedures described in the Graduate School section of this catalogue.
Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
Specialization in Slavic
Students interested in Slavic linguistics take the Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics with a specialization in Slavic linguistics. In addition to all requirements for the M.A. in Linguistics, the following courses are required: LING 542; SLL 510, 512, 514 and 516; three LING 600-level seminars; and 794ab Doctoral Dissertation. Students must pass reading examinations in one Slavic language and either French or German.
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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu