Program of Study
The doctoral curriculum consists of a total of 71 credits of coursework plus dissertation research. This means that those who have taken the 38 credits required by the M.A. curriculum must complete another 33 credits of advanced linguistics courses. All students must complete the following advanced courses: Guided Research Project (LIN 880), Advanced Topics in Phonology (LIN 801), Advanced Topics in Syntax (LIN 802) or Cognitive Grammar (LIN 827), and Dissertation Proposal Development (LIN 890). An additional 18 credits of elective courses must also be completed.
Elective Courses in Linguistics
Students must complete at least 24 credits of elective graduate courses in linguistics. Elective courses are chosen by the student in consultation with the student's advisor. Some courses may be taken through the Consortium of Colleges and Universities. Electives should focus on aspects of linguistic theory, application, or research related to the student's professional or academic goals.
Qualifying Examination
All students must take the qualifying examination in the spring semester of the first year of coursework. Students must achieve a passing score in order to continue in the program. Part time students may take the qualifying examination upon completion of the full sequence of courses ordinarily completed during the first year of full time study.
Comprehensive Examination
All students must pass a comprehensive examination designed to evaluate their grasp of the major principles and important content of the program of study. This examination is administered in the spring semester of the third year of coursework, i.e., the first year of the Ph.D. program.
Qualifying Papers
During the second year of study, students seeking a Ph.D. will prepare the first of two qualifying papers. The second qualifying paper will be completed during the third year of study. These papers will be the products of substantial data-based research projects on topics of relevance to sign languages. The student will prepare a thorough review of the literature, collect and analyze data, and report on the analysis. Successful completion of these papers qualifies students to begin work on their dissertation proposal.
Concept Paper
During the third year of study, students seeking a Ph.D. will prepare a concept paper on their proposed dissertation topic. This paper will include a statement of the research question, a review of the literature and a research plan. Upon admission to the Ph.D. program, the student will have identified a faculty member with expertise in their research area to serve as chair of their dissertation committee and will have obtained the faculty member's agreement. The dissertation chair must approve the concept paper before the student may begin work on the dissertation proposal.
Dissertation
Each student seeking a Ph.D. will be required to complete a research-based dissertation in an area acceptable to his or her doctoral committee. Upon completion of the dissertation, the student will defend it before the doctoral committee.
Core Courses in Linguistics (Ph.D. )
LIN 701 Introduction to Phonological Theory (3)
LIN 702 Introduction to Syntactic Theory (3)
LIN 703 Proseminar I (1)
LIN 704 Proseminar II (1)
LIN 721 Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics (3)
LIN 801 Advanced Topics in Phonology (3)
LIN 802 Advanced Topics in Syntax (3)
LIN 803 Concept Paper (1)
LIN 827 Cognitive Grammar (3)
Core Courses in Sign Language Linguistics (Ph.D.)
LIN 731 American Sign Language Phonology (3)
LIN 732 American Sign Language Morphology (3)
LIN 733 American Sign Language Syntax (3)
LIN 741 Sociolinguistics of U.S. Deaf Community (3)
LIN 745 Languages and Cultures in Deaf Communities (3)*, or
LIN 795 Special Topics (3)*
*LIN 745 will be offered in odd years and LIN 795 in even years.
LIN 771 Field Methods I (3)
LIN 772 Field Methods II (3)
Elective Courses in Linguistics (6)
Core Courses in Statistics (Ph.D.)**
EDF 801 Principles of Statistics I (3)
EDF 802 Principles of Statistics II (3)
**Note: These courses are required for students whose Ph.D. specialization requires statistical work. If taken, they replace two elective courses.
Typical Program of Study (Ph.D.)
Year I - Fall
LIN 701 Introduction to Phonological Theory (3)
LIN 702 Introduction to Syntactic Theory (3)
LIN 703 Proseminar I (1)
LIN 521 Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics (3)
Year I - Spring
LIN 704 Proseminar II (1)
LIN 731 American Sign Language Phonology (3)
LIN 732 American Sign Language Morphology (3)
LIN 745 Languages and Cultures in Deaf Communities (3)*
Year II - Fall
LIN 771 Field Methods I (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)
Year II - Spring
LIN 733 American Sign Language Syntax (3)
LIN 741 Sociolinguistics of the U.S. Deaf Community (3)
LIN 772 Field Methods II (3)
Year III - Fall
LIN 802 Advanced Topics in Syntax (3) or
LIN 827 Cognitive Grammar (3)
LIN 880 Guided Research Project (3)
(Qualifying Paper #2)
Elective #1 (3)
Complete Qualifying Paper #1 (Field Methods)
Year III - Spring
LIN 801 Advanced Topics in Phonology (3)
LIN 880 Guided Research Project (3)
Elective # 2 (3)
Oral Comprehensive Examination
Year IV - Fall
Elective #3 (3)
Elective #4 (3)
Elective #5 (3)
Complete Qualifying Paper # 2 (LIN 880)
LIN 803 Concept Paper (1)
Year IV
LIN 890 Dissertation Proposal Development (3)
Elective # 6 (3)
Year V - Fall (and onward)
LIN 900 Dissertation Research
