The M.A. in Linguistics

    The M.A. in Linguistics at USC is a degree in general linguistics.  While many of our students pursue concentrations in ESL/TEFL and use their M.A. to pursue careers in teaching English (or some other language) as a second or foreign language, our M.A. program is designed to provide students with the broadest possible background in Linguistics and encourages them to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities presented by the Program's faculty.  In addition to second language acquisition and applied linguistics offerings such as are found in many M.A. programs around the United States, the USC Linguistics Program features courses in linguistic anthropology, historical linguistics, philosophy of language, phonetics & phonology, sociolinguistics, and syntax & semantics.  Students in the M.A. program are encouraged to avail themselves of these opportunities while they are here, and are given opportunities to discover connections between the various subdisciplines of the field.

    In addition to the M.A. program in Linguistics, the Linguistics Program has developed (or is developing) connections between M.A. degrees offered in other departments and the Ph.D. in Linguistics.  Currently, the French, German, and Spanish Graduate Programs each offer an M.A. with a Linguistics concentration:  an M.A. in French with a concentration in French Linguistics, an M.A. in German with a concentration in German Linguistics, and an M.A. in Spanish with a concentration in Hispanic Linguistics.  These degrees are designed to lead to a Ph.D. in Linguistics with a minors in French and Hispanic Literature, respectively.

   Students whose eventual goal is the Ph.D. are advised to consult with the Graduate Director before submitting their application online to discuss the option of concurrent enrollment in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs.