About PhD Program,
The Department of Linguistics at UC Santa Cruz aims to advance the understanding of human linguistic ability through the empirical examination of particular languages. The department is renowned for its strengths in phonology, psycholinguistics, semantics, and syntax, as well as for connecting these disciplines to one another and to morphology, phonetics, and pragmatics. Faculty and students deploy a range of computational, experimental, and fieldwork methodologies in their research. The department offers two undergraduate majors, in linguistics and language studies, as well as two graduate degrees (MA and PhD), preparing students for careers in research, teaching, and industry.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Students complete a minimum of thirteen courses (65 units). In the first year, students take a core sequence of courses in phonetics, phonology, psycholinguistics, semantics, syntax, and field or experimental methods. By the end of the second year, most of the required coursework (including in addition a research seminar and seminars in three distinct areas) has normally been completed.
The final requirement for the PhD degree is the presentation and public defense of a dissertation representing a significant contribution in some area of theoretical linguistic research. Prior to the writing of the thesis, the candidate prepares and defends a dissertation prospectus, which maps out the principal lines of research to be pursued.
PhD Funding Coverage,
The Department is dedicated to ensuring that students in its graduate programs have adequate financial support. All students admitted to the PhD program are guaranteed funding for the five years that it takes to complete the program.
First-year support comes primarily in the form of fellowships, sometimes augmented by a Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship. In subsequent years, financial support comes mainly from Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships (see their salary scales), though some students may receive fellowships from campus or University sources.
This mix of funding sources is designed to get students acclimated quickly to the balance of research, teaching, and other work responsibilities that form the core of an academic career. All students will TA during their time in the PhD program, most for a substantial number of classes, coordinated across the curriculum’s breadth and depth. This is a design feature of our program, which increases the job market competitiveness of our graduates.
Students are not ranked for purposes of determining financial support, a policy designed to minimize divisions among students and to emphasize and strengthen a sense of community and solidarity. We attempt to fund all PhD students at approximately the same level, although there can be slight variation across individuals depending on the specific combination of resources that are used to create their funding package.
Students are strongly encouraged throughout their graduate career to apply for fellowships and grants from extramural sources (e.g., from the National Science Foundation or Fulbright Program). Keep in mind that some external funding opportunities are only available to undergraduates (and may require GRE scores). During their time in the PhD program, students receive active mentoring in applying for external funding.
Unfortunately, the Department cannot provide routine financial support to students in the MA program. However, MA students occasionally hold Teaching or Research Assistantships in Linguistics or in other departments. The Department is committed maximizing these opportunities.
Application Requirement,
- Application materials – (upload with application)
- Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Writing sample
- Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- Letters of recommendation, minimum of 3
- GRE scores are notrequired for the MA or PhD application.
- International students
- Take the TOEFL or IELTS English Proficiency Test by November 2024. TOEFL/IELTS waivers may be requested by applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree at an English-speaking institution. Please see the Graduate Division websitefor more information.
- Translate application materials and documents (particularly the transcripts).
Application Deadline,
Dec 12, 2024
Application Fee,
The application fee is $135.00 for domestic applicants and $155.00 for international applicants. Electronic payment options are available through our application system.
