Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

English Linguistics [M.A.]


Linguistics is the scientific study of how languages are learned, processed, used and structured; it investigates why and how languages change, and what status they have in social life. Linguistics is important to social and cognitive psychology, native and foreign language teaching at all levels, artificial intelligence and computer science, communications, sociology and anthropology and historical accounts of human civilization. Linguists work in colleges and universities, in language instruction and educational planning, in the communications industries (including publishing), in translation services and in cross-cultural business and government agencies.

Students interested in practical applications of English linguistics are also advised to consult the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages / TESOL [M.A.]  program offered by the World Languages Department.

Program Admission


Applicants must submit the following:

  1. A completed graduate school application
  2. A personal statement (we recommend that these statements be 1 to 2 pages in length)
  3. Official transcripts from ALL prior colleges and universities (note: If you attended EMU, you do not need to request your EMU transcript)

    International Transcripts - Students with non-U.S. post-secondary credentials must submit an evaluation of their international transcripts from one of four approved evaluation services for a detailed, course-by-course report. Applicants should allow 2-6 weeks for the completed evaluation. Please visit International Admissions for additional information.

  4. Two letters of recommendation
  5. A writing sample (a short, 5-20 page, a piece of academic writing in any area is encouraged but not required)

Department Information


English Language & Literature | Joseph Csicsila, Ph.D.Interim Department Head | 612 Pray-Harrold, 734.487.4220, jcsicsila@emich.edu

Matt Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator | 613J Pray-Harrold, 734.487.0399, mkirkpa1@emich.edu

Advisor Information


T. Daniel Seely, Ph.D., 612 Pray-Harrold, 734.487.0145, tseely@emich.edu

Degree Requirements: 30 hours


The M.A. in English Linguistics requires 30 hours of course work to be distributed among restricted elective courses and elective courses as follows. Students must complete those parts of the LING 401 /LING 420 /LING 425  sequence that were not a part of their undergraduate work. Graduate credit may be given for these courses. In addition, each candidate must complete a thesis (LING 692 ) or a comprehensive examination, including questions from general linguistics and specialized area(s) chosen by the candidate.

Elective Courses: 12 hours


Thesis plan students will take three of these hours in LING 692 - Thesis . Suggested areas include anthropology, composition and rhetoric, linguistics courses not taken above, literature (particularly the early periods), mathematics, computer science, psychology, reading, sociology, speech and hearing science, and TESOL. With advisor’s approval.