All linguistics courses should be taken under the letter grade option. To ensure that doctoral degree candidates receive an adequate grounding in all of the fundamental areas of linguistics, all candidates must complete the field's core requirement of courses. Before taking the Admission to Candidacy examination, students are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of either French, German or Russian. In special cases, reading knowledge of another language with a significant scholarly literature relevant to the student's research interests is acceptable. The field also has a non-Western language requirement, which may be satisfied in a number of different ways.
Information is available in the field brochure.
The field's Master of Arts program can normally be completed in two academic years plus one summer. Students are expected to write a thesis and to pass a final examination conducted by the Special Committee. All applicants are required to submit GRE general test scores. Limited support in the form of fellowships and teaching assistantships is available, but students are encouraged to seek outside support.