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MA in Linguistics & Cognitive Science

MA in Linguistics & Cognitive Science, Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Linguistics and Cognitive Science is a flexible program of study that provides training in both Linguistics and Cognitive Science. Separate tracks are provided below for students whose emphasis is clearly in Cognitive Science or in Linguistics.

MA, Cognitive Science Track

The Cognitive Science Track is appropriate both for students whose ultimate goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in a Cognitive Science discipline and for those who wish a terminal master's degree. For an M.A. in the Cognitive Science track, students must complete 30 credit hours planned in consultation with the student's advisor and the Cognitive Science Graduate Advisor. These credit hours must include at least CGSC 670 (Elements of Cognitive Science), one 800-level seminar in Cognitive Science, and six courses (18 credits) distributed over three of the following areas: Human cognition, The Structure of Human Language, Computation and Cognition, General Cognitive Science. A complete list of courses for each area can be found on the Cognitive Science Program's website and can be obtained from the Cognitive Science Graduate Advisor

MA, Linguistics Track

 

The Linguistics track is appropriate both for students who wish to obtain a Ph.D. in Linguistics and for those who wish a terminal master's degree. [Note: Speech Pathology is not available at the MA level]

To acquire an understanding of the basic concepts of linguistics, students must take at least three courses out of the following core courses in Linguistics:

  1. LING 604 Structure of Language or LING 609 Syntax I 
  2. LING 603 Intro to Phonology or LING 607 Phonology I
  3. LING 612 Morphology
  4. LING 691 Semantics I
  5. CGSC 696 Psycholinguistics

In addition, students must take at least one advanced course in Linguistics. The following courses count as advanced courses:

  1. LING 608 Phonology II
  2. LING 610 Syntax II
  3. Any 800-level courses offered in the Dept. of Linguistics

Appropriate substitutions may be made with the approval of the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. The remaining 18 hours of courses are to be selected in consultation with the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

MA, Individualized Program

Students may propose a program of study that combines elements of the Linguistics and Cognitive Science tracks. Such individualized programs of study must consist of 30 credit hours planned in consultation with the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies or the Cognitive Science Graduate Advisor. These credits must include at least 21 credit hours in Linguistics or Cognitive Science courses and at least one 800-level seminar in Linguistics or Cognitive Science.

MA, Applied Linguistics & ESL Track

The Applied Linguistics and ESL  track is appropriate for students who wish to obtain a terminal master's degree in applied linguistics and TESL. Note: ESL certification for K-12 is not available in this program. Students who wish to obtain certification for teaching ESL should apply to the M.A. program in TESL in the School of Education:
 
 
 
a. To acquire an understanding of the basic concepts of linguistics, students must take at least three courses out of the following core courses in Linguistics:
 
   1. LING 604 Structure of Language 
   2. LING 603 Intro to Phonology 
   3. LING 612 Morphology
   4. LING 691 Semantics I
   5. CGSC 696 Psycholinguistics 
 
b. In addition, students must take at least one advanced course in Linguistics. 
Any 800-level courses offered in the Dept. of Linguistics counts as an advanced course. Appropriate substitutions may be made with the approval of the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
 
c. An additional 18 hours of courses in the specialization area are to be selected from available courses in applied linguistics, TESL, second language acquisition, and education.   For example, students can chose from the following courses:
 
LING 618 Meaning and Language Use
LING 675 Language Acquisition
LING 676 Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism
LING 677 Structure of English
LING 680 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
LING 672 Teaching English as a Second Language 
LING 622 Language Syllabus Design
LING 624 Second Language Testing
LING 621 Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages
EDUC 613 Adolescent Development and Educational Psychology
EDUC 740 Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners
EDUC 627 Models of Instruction
EDUC 619 Diversity in the Classroom
EDUC 647 Advanced ESL Teaching Methods, Design and Strategies
    
Appropriate substitutions may be made with the approval of the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
 
For more information on the MA in Linguistics & Cognitive Science, please contact
Dr. Satoshi Tomioka
Graduate Student Adviser
Department of Linguistics & Cognitive Science
46 E Delaware Ave Room 205
Newark, DE 19716
Tel: (302) 831-6837