Department of Linguistics

The Department of Linguistics offers the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in both linguistics and Applied Hispanic linguistics, with areas of concentration in applied linguistics and Sociolinguistics. The MA Program requires a minimum of 10 courses (30 credits). The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate for a PhD degree.

Master of Arts in Linguistics
Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics
Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Hispanic Linguistics
Doctor of Philosophy in Sociolinguistics

Students may fulfill requirements for the TESOL Certificate in conjunction with their graduate study or as a stand-alone post baccalaureate certificate.

Contact Information

Department Chair: Shelome Gooden
Main Office: 2816 Cathedral of Learning
412-624-5900
Fax: 412-624-6130
E-mail: lingpitt@pitt.edu
www.linguistics.pitt.edu

Additional information concerning the department’s graduate program may be obtained from the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Linguistics, Graduate Secretary, 2717 CL, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Phone: 412-624-1764. Fax: 412-624-8814.

In addition to graduate and undergraduate education in the field of linguistics, the Department of Linguistics is responsible for the following programs and centers:

Less Commonly Taught Languages Center
Robert Henderson Language Media Center
TESOL Certificate Program
English Language Institute (non-credit)

Admissions

In order to be admitted to graduate standing in linguistics, students must meet the admission requirements of the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and have at least two years, or the equivalent, of university-level study of a second language. The Graduate Record Examination is required for all applicants. PhD applicants must also submit samples of written work in linguistics. To be considered for financial aid, complete applications should be received by December 15. Applicants for Hispanic linguistics must be fluent in Spanish in addition to the above admissions requirements (determined by interview following review of other application materials).

Financial Assistance

Some of the aid offered by the department is in the form of teaching assistantships in the Department of Linguistics in the English Language Institute. There are about two new positions per year. There are two to five other teaching assistantships each year, usually involving some sort of research work and sometimes teaching or faculty-teaching support. For all assistantships, applicants whose native language is not English may be eligible for two or three of these positions. For all assistantships, applicants are ranked mainly on the basis of their academic qualifications, but relevant teaching experience or research can help. Students in the Hispanic linguistics program teaching Spanish language courses must be enrolled in Methodology for Teaching Spanish (SPAN 2307 ). There are a total of 6 funded positions in Applied Hispanic linguistics.

Besides assistantships, there are a limited number of predoctoral fellowships from the Andrew Mellon Foundation and Provost’s Humanities Fellowship program, for which PhD applicants in linguistics are eligible. Applicants should realize that these are very prestigious fellowships, granted on the basis of a University-wide competition. The application deadline is February 1. For more information on these fellowships, see Fellowships and Traineeships in the A&S section of this bulletin.

MA-PhD Program Requirements

The MA/PhD program is a combined program designed for students entering with a BA with the intention of earning a PhD. The program consists of core coursework, requirements for specific Areas of Concentration (ARCO), preliminary exams, comprehensive exams, and dissertation work. The ARCOs available are:

Applied Linguistics
Applied Hispanic Linguistics
Sociolinguistics

If none of the above ARCOs are chosen, then the student will be in the General and Descriptive Linguistics Program.

TESOL

TESOL is an acronym for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Professionals in TESOL may be involved in teaching, administration, curriculum development, materials development, assessment, research, and advocacy. They work in a variety of contexts including various age levels, countries, and specialist areas such as English for specific purposes. This TESOL certificate program includes the study of: linguistics at an introductory level, structures of English, theories and practices of teaching second language, second language acquisition, materials and curriculum development, and assessment.

The Department of Linguistics offers two certificates in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Higher Education Course
ESL Program Specialist Course

Faculty

http://www.linguistics.pitt.edu/people/faculty/index.php

Programs

Master’s

Doctoral

Linguistics, PhD

Certificate

Joint Degree

Courses

Linguistics

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