Graduate Program
The PhD Program in Linguistics
The University of Chicago operates on the quarter system. The graduate program in linguistics leading to the PhD degree is intended to be completed in five years. Graduate students normally register for three courses per quarter, three quarters per year. They generally take three to four years of coursework.
In the first year, students take the following six courses: Phonological Analysis 1-2, Syntactic Analysis 1-2, and Semantics and Pragmatics 1-2. In subsequent years, students have a great deal of flexibility in course selection, though their programs of study must include: one course each in historical linguistics and morphology; a “methods” course (field methods, mathematical methods, etc.); and one advanced course in each of the following areas: 1) phonetics/phonology, 2) syntax/semantics/pragmatics, and 3) socio-historical linguistics. In years two and three, when students are writing qualifying papers, they must also take the Research Seminar.
A large proportion of courses offered in the Linguistics Department are advanced courses that are open to all students. The topics of these courses change from year to year, in reflection of the ongoing research interests of both faculty and graduate students, and cover areas of current interest in the field at large. Students are also free to take courses related to their research interests that are offered by other departments in the University.
In the second and third years, students continue taking courses and write two qualifying papers under faculty supervision. In addition to these major landmarks, students are required to pass reading examinations in two scholarly languages (normally French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, or Russian), and to satisfy a non-Indo European language requirement. Upon completion of the qualifying papers and language requirements and defense of a dissertation proposal, students are admitted to candidacy for the PhD; the only remaining requirement is the dissertation.
The University of Chicago offers several joint doctoral programs. Such options currently exist between the Department of Linguistics and the Department of Anthropology, the Department of Comparative Human Development, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, and the Department of Philosophy. Students from other departments who wish to apply for a joint PhD in Linguistics may do so only after completing the six foundational courses (Phonological Analysis 1,2; Syntactic Analysis 1,2; and Semantics and Pragmatics 1,2).