The Ph.D. in Linguistics, established in 1985, is designed to furnish students with a solid background in theoretical linguistics as well as to direct them to advanced study in a particular area of specialization. Areas for Ph.D. specialization include theoretical linguistics (syntax, semantics, phonology, morphology), psycholinguistics (cognitive science, first and second language acquisition, language processing, neurolinguistics), computational linguistics, and the study of endangered and underdescribed languages (linguistic field methods, language typology, language documentation).

The M.A. in Linguistics and Cognitive Science, established in 1994-1995, allows students to design a program of study in linguistics and cognitive science with tracks in linguistics and in cognitive science, e.g. theoretical linguistics, descriptive linguistics, language and cognition, the linguistic, psychological, philosophical, evolutionary and computational bases of cognition, psycholinguistics, and the study of endangered and underdescribed languages (linguistic field methods, language typology, language documentation).

Qualified undergraduate students in the B.S. in Cognitive Science as well as students completing a Bachelors degree in related fields like Anthropology, Computer and Information Science, Philosophy and Psychology (and other fields by application) may apply for the Combined B.S. and M.A. option, which combines the requirements of the undergraduate and master's degree programs in Cognitive Science and Cognitive Science and Linguistics.

The Department of Linguistics offers a major in Cognitive Science and two minors, one in Linguistics and the other one in Cognitive Science. The minors are designed to provide students in Computer Science, Education, Foreign Languages, Psychology and other departments with a basic grounding in the scientific study of human language and in the linguistic, psychological, philosophical, evolutionary and computational bases of cognition.