Requirements for an MA degree in Linguistics
Students have two options for earning an MA degree in Linguistics in our Department. Although the two degrees are similar in structure, they have different eligibility requirements, and it is therefore important to read the requirements below carefully in order to determine which (if any) of these options are available to you.
Please note: the Linguistics Department does not have a stand-alone MA program that students who are not already PhD students at the University of Michigan may apply for.
Embedded/terminal MA
This MA degree is only available to students who are already enrolled in the Linguistics PhD program. It can either be taken by students who wish to withdraw from the PhD program before completing all requirements for that degree (in which case it is considered a “terminal MA”), or it can be applied for students en route to completing of their PhD (in which case it is considered and “embedded MA” or an “MA along the way”). The requirements for both options are the same. Students have to complete at least 30 credits, composed as follows, to qualify for this MA:
13 credits: LING 512, LING 513, LING 515, LING 516
3 credits: LING 740
2 credits: LING 750
3 credits: LING 997
9 credits: Three courses selected from those that apply toward the doctoral electives, LING 780, and/or cognate requirements
Students in the PhD program who are interested in receiving an embedded or terminal MA should contact the Graduate Coordinator at linguistics-ssc@umich.edu.
Joint MA for students in other Rackham programs
This MA is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a different Rackham PhD program. In order to qualify for this degree, students have to complete at least 30 credits, composed as follows:
13 credits: LING 512, LING 513, LING 515, LING 516
17 credits: Additional Linguistics courses at the 500-level or above and/or graduate level cognate courses. At most 6 of these credits can come from cognate courses.
If you are interested in applying to the Joint MA Program, please reach out to our Graduate Coordinator at linguistics-ssc@umich.edu for more details on the application process.
