Master of Arts in Linguistics
The program is designed for students who wish to use their degree immediately for teaching or other applied work, and for those who wish to pursue a Ph.D. or other degree. All students complete core courses within the four categories of Linguistics Theory, Language Variation, Language Acquisition and Linguistics Research. In addition, students must choose one of the four options available within the Linguistics M.A. program and fulfill elective courses. The Master of Arts in Linguistics takes either 33-units (thesis route) or 34-units (comprehensive exams and project route) to complete.
Graduate Booklet
Graduation Requirements
Study Abroad
Prerequisites
Some students must fulfill additional courses depending on their prior Linguistics background (to be determined by the Graduate Advisor). The prerequisite courses need not be taken at CSULB. The prerequisite units must be approved and waived by the graduate advisor upon admission. These units may be taken while admitted to the program on a conditional status. It is recommended for students to take the prerequisites before taking any graduate level core courses. The prerequisites include:
- Introduction to Research Methods (3 units):
- LING 301: Introduction to Research Methods, or equivalent.
- Introduction to Linguistics (3 units):
- LING 325: Modern English Grammar, or equivalent.
- Language Acquisition (3 units):
- LING 329: Language Acquisition, or equivalent.
- Phonology (3 units):
- LING 420: Phonology, or equivalent.
- Syntax (3 units):
- LING 421: Syntax, or equivalent.
- Language Variation (3 units), E.g.:
- LING 379: Sociolinguistics and Schooling
- LING 413: Language and Culture
- LING 425: Education Across Cultures
- LING 426: Historical Linguistics
- LING 438: Psycholinguistics
- LING 470: Language and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
- LING 472: Language and Discrimination
- Language Other Than English (LOTE) (6 or 12 units; native speaker or professional use):
- 6-unit route: Upper-division units (300 level courses and above).
- 12-unit route: Lower-division units (below 300 level courses), one year EACH (two years total) within two types of languages: one Indo-European and one non-Indo-European.
- The LOTE requirements are waived if the student is a native speaker of a LOTE.
- Professional use includes utilization of a LOTE through service (e.g., Peace Corps, schooling, business, etc.).
Master of Arts in Linguistics: The Core (15 units)
Core Courses (15 units) give all linguistics Master’s students graduate background in general linguistic levels of analysis and key interdisciplinary and applied areas.
- Linguistics Theory: Two courses from the following:
- LING 620: Seminar in Syntax
- LING 625: Seminar in Phonology
- LING 633: Discourse and Grammar
- Language Variation: One course from the following:
- LING 533: Ethnography of Communication
- LING 540: Sociolinguistics
- LING 610: Historical Linguistics
- LING 650: Seminar in Bilingualism
- Language Acquisition:
- LING/PSY 539: Language Acquisition
- Linguistics Research: One course from the following:
- LING 580/ANTH 570: Field Methods
- LING 595: Qualitative Research Methods
- LING 596: Quantitative Research Methods
