The M.A. in Linguistics at UB is a 30-credit hour program, typically completed within two years of full-time study. It offers flexibility with three distinct tracks: a general M.A. in Linguistics, a focus in Germanic Linguistics, or a concentration in East Asian Languages and Linguistics. The program's mission is to train students in the descriptive and theoretical study of language, equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of language properties, research methodologies, and contemporary linguistic theories. It also hones essential skills such as academic writing and the effective dissemination of research findings.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.A. in Linguistics at UB covers the major areas of the discipline. Required courses typically provide a strong foundation in core linguistic subfields, including Phonetics (the study of speech sounds), Phonology (the study of sound systems), Morphology (the study of word structure), Syntax (the study of sentence structure), and Semantics (the study of meaning). Students also engage with topics like Discourse/Pragmatics (the study of language in context), Psycholinguistics (the study of language and the mind), Language and Culture, and Typology and Universals (the study of linguistic diversity and commonalities). The specific courses will vary depending on the chosen track (General, Germanic, or East Asian concentration), and the program culminates in a comprehensive exam or a research project.
Research Focus: The Department of Linguistics at UB has a strong research focus on the interface between language and cognition, empirically grounded linguistic theory, and both cross-linguistic studies and in-depth studies of individual languages other than English. Faculty research interests span areas such as typology (classification of languages), psycholinguistics/experimental linguistics (how language is processed in the brain), syntax, semantics, and language documentation. The department is committed to training students in all aspects of linguistic research, encouraging them to engage with cutting-edge theories and methodologies to advance the scientific understanding of human language.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in Linguistics program at UB is designed to prepare graduates for a range of professional careers where a strong understanding of language is critical. The program explicitly aims to help students find "more fulfilling jobs in industries employing language specialists." While specific mandatory internships are not universally detailed, the curriculum emphasizes developing skills in linguistic research, theoretical understanding, and effective communication, all of which are highly valued in various industries. The department's Master of Science (M.S.) in Computational Linguistics, offered jointly with Computer Science and Engineering, demonstrates a clear commitment to industry-relevant skills for human language technologies, and M.A. students may be able to leverage related opportunities or electives. Graduates are well-prepared for roles that require linguistic expertise and analytical problem-solving.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Linguistics program at UB inherently fosters a strong global perspective through its comprehensive study of human language diversity. The curriculum explores typological universals (what is common across all languages) as well as the unique characteristics of specific languages and language families, including those with a focus on Germanic or East Asian languages. By examining language in various cultural contexts and across different populations, students gain a deep appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, which further enriches the learning environment with varied linguistic backgrounds and global viewpoints, preparing graduates to engage with language issues on an international scale.
