M.A. in Linguistics

Entry requirements for Postgraduate Programs

Application Fees : US$ 70

1. Academic Requirements:

• Applicants must have completed a recognized undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) is required. This translates to approximately 60% or above in the grading system.

2. English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.
• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet-Based Test): A minimum overall score of 80.
• PTE (Pearson Test of English): A minimum score of 53.
• DET (Duolingo English Test): A minimum score of 105.

California State University, Fresno, is committed to supporting the academic aspirations of international students by offering various scholarships and financial aid opportunities. These scholarships help ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education in the United States. 

1. International Student Scholarship: Fresno State offers merit-based scholarships specifically for international students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and may cover a significant portion of tuition costs.

2. Dean's Graduate Medal: This scholarship is awarded to the top graduate student from each academic college at Fresno State. It recognizes outstanding academic achievement and contributions to the college.

3. President's Graduate Medal: The President's Graduate Medal is the highest honor for a graduate student at Fresno State. It is awarded to a graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, and service.

4. Graduate Equity Fellowship: The Graduate Equity Fellowship is designed to support underrepresented and economically disadvantaged graduate students. It provides financial assistance and mentoring to help students succeed in their academic pursuits.

5. Athletic Scholarships: Fresno State offers athletic scholarships to talented student-athletes. These scholarships are typically awarded to individuals who excel in specific sports and contribute to the university's athletic programs.

6. External Scholarships: International students can also explore external scholarship opportunities, including those offered by government agencies, private organizations, and foundations in their home countries.

7. Departmental Scholarships: Some academic departments at Fresno State may offer scholarships to graduate students in specific fields of study. These scholarships often have specific eligibility criteria and application processes.

8. Fulbright Scholarships: Fresno State participates in the Fulbright Program, which offers scholarships for international students to study, teach, or conduct research in the United States. Applicants can apply for Fulbright scholarships through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in their home country.

9. Cultural and Exchange Program Scholarships: Fresno State may offer scholarships to international students participating in cultural exchange programs or partnership agreements with specific universities and organizations.

10. Research and Teaching Assistantships: Graduate students may have opportunities to work as research or teaching assistants, which often come with a stipend and/or tuition remission.

Tips for Scholarship Application:

• Applicants should pay close attention to scholarship application deadlines and ensure that all required documents are submitted on time.
• Strong academic performance, letters of recommendation, a well-written personal statement, and a demonstrated commitment to community involvement and leadership can enhance scholarship application chances.

Linguistics is a versatile field & Graduates of the M.A. in Linguistics program from California State University, Fresno, are well-equipped for a variety of career paths.  

1. Academic Research: Graduates can pursue doctoral programs in linguistics or related fields, becoming researchers and professors at universities and colleges.

2. Language Technology: In the era of AI and language technology, linguists are in demand for roles in natural language processing, computational linguistics, and speech recognition.

3. Teaching and Education: Some graduates choose to become educators, teaching linguistics, English as a second language (ESL), or foreign languages at various educational levels.

4. Language Documentation and Revitalization: Linguists can work with indigenous communities to document and revitalize endangered languages.

5. Sociolinguistics and Language Policy: Graduates may analyze language variation and language policy in diverse communities, contributing to social and language justice efforts.

6. Translation and Interpretation: Linguists can work as translators and interpreters, facilitating communication between speakers of different languages.

7. Text Analysis and Content Creation: Linguistic skills are valuable in content creation, copywriting, and text analysis for marketing and advertising.

8. Publishing and Editing: Linguists may pursue careers in publishing and editing, particularly in language-related publications.

9. Government and Nonprofit Organizations: Linguists can work for government agencies, nonprofits, or international organizations in roles related to language analysis, translation, and cultural understanding.

10. Consulting: Linguists with expertise in communication and language can work as consultants, advising organizations on effective communication strategies.

11. Data Analysis: With strong analytical skills, linguists can work in data analysis and research positions in various industries.

12. Language Assessment: Graduates can develop and administer language assessments for educational institutions and language testing companies.