PhD in Linguistics
Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Banner Code: LA-PHD-LING
The PhD in Linguistics trains students in the science of language. Students become specialists in the core areas of linguistics-- phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics --and learn to integrate this core with the study of second language acquisition and/or computational linguistics. The program prepares students for positions in academia, industry, government, and a host of organizations concerned with language and second language acquisition. Graduates may become research and teaching professors, administrators of language-learning programs, and consultants in computational linguistic research.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions.
For specific information, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 72
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Optional Linguistics Foundation Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LING 500 | Linguistic Variation | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Linguistics | ||
| Select eight courses from the following: | 24 | |
| Phonetics | ||
| Phonology A | ||
| Phonology B | ||
| Morphology | ||
| Syntax A | ||
| Syntax B | ||
| Semantics and Pragmatics 1 | ||
| Semantics and Pragmatics 2 | ||
| Computational Linguistics I | ||
| Computational Linguistics II | ||
| Language Acquisition | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Second Language Acquisition 1 | ||
| Second Language Acquisition 2 | ||
| First Language Acquisition | ||
| Research Methodology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Experimental Methods | ||
| Statistical Methods in Linguistics | ||
| Linguistic Field Methods | ||
| Computational and Quantitative Methods in Linguistics | ||
| Qualifying Papers | ||
| LING 898 | Advanced Qualifying Research 1 | 3 |
| LING 899 | Advanced Qualifying Research 2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Two Seminars
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| LING 800 | Advanced Seminar in Linguistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
-
Students take two seminar courses in two chosen fields. Seminar topics change every time they are offered. They may be repeated for credit.
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose four - five graduate LING courses not used to fulfill another requirement (except for LING 998 and LING 999), or other approved course 1 | 12-15 | |
| Total Credits | 12-15 | |
- 1
-
If LING 500 Linguistic Variation is taken, four electives are required.
Advancement to Candidacy
The student is advanced to candidacy for the PhD degree once they have successfully presented and defended a written dissertation proposal, completed all 48 course credits, and completed a minimum of 3 credits of 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal. The student should also submit the Advancement to Candidacy form. University policies for advancement to candidacy can be found here.
Dissertation
Once enrolled in LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation, students must follow the university's continuous registration policy as specified in AP.6.10.6 Dissertation Research. Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation.
Students apply to this degree a minimum of 12 dissertation credits (LING 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation combined) with at least 3 credits of LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation. Because of the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation Research | 12 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation Proposal | ||
| Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |