Linguistics MA Requirements

Students earning an MA degree in Linguistics at the University of Montana complete a 36-credit-hour program of study. Thesis and non-thesis options are available. Any student may elect to pursue the non-thesis option. Students wishing to pursue the thesis option must submit a thesis proposal draft in April of their second semester, and a final thesis proposal one week before the start of the following Fall semester. Students whose proposals are approved may then elect to pursue the thesis option.

Coursework (36 credits)

• LING 571 Phonetics and Phonology (3 credits)
• LING 572 Syntax (3 credits)
• LING 589 Morphology (3 credits)
• Two courses (6 credits) from:
  • LING 573 Language and Culture
  • LING 574 Historical Linguistics
  • LING 575 Linguistic Field Methods
  • LING 584 NA Indigenous Languages & Linguistics
• 3 semesters of LING 570 Seminar in Linguistics (9 credits)
• 4 elective courses* (12 credits)

Exam

• Comprehensive Exam

Coursework (30 credits)

• LING 571 Phonetics and Phonology (3 credits)
• LING 572 Syntax (3 credits)
• LING 589 Morphology (3 credits)
• Two courses (6 credits) from:
  • LING 573 Language and Culture
  • LING 574 Historical Linguistics
  • LING 575 Linguistic Field Methods
  • LING 584 NA Indigenous Languages & Linguistics
• 2 semesters of LING 570 Seminar in Linguistics (6 credits)
• 3 elective courses* (9 credits)

Thesis (6 credits)

• LING 699 Thesis (6 credits)

*Elective courses

• LING 477 Bilingualism
• LING 478 Learner Language
• LING 491 Special Topics
• LING 573 Language and Culture**
• LING 574 Historical Linguistics**
• LING 575 Linguistic Field Methods**
• LING 584 NA Indigenous Languages & Linguistics**
• LING 570 Seminar in Linguistics or LING 494 Seminar (equivalent, LING 570)

** If LING 573 is taken to satisfy a required course, this cannot be used for an elective course. The same rule applies to LING 574, LING 575, and LING 584.