Program: Linguistics, M.A. - San Diego State University

May 06, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Major Code: 15051) (SIMS Code: 114701)

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the Master of Arts degree, as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , the student must complete a graduate program of at least 31 units of 500-, 600-, and 700-level courses.

A minimum of 25 units from courses in the Department of Linguistics. A minimum of 16 units must be from 600- or 700-level courses. Note: LING 505 does not count toward unit requirements for the Master of Arts degree in Linguistics.

Advancement to Candidacy

All candidates must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees.

At Least 31 Units

Students in this concentration must take 13 units of required core courses in Linguistics, nine (9) units of prescribed core Linguistics courses, six (6) units of electives, and complete a culminating experience (3 units), choosing either Plan A thesis (LING 799) or Plan B (written comprehensive exam and an additional elective).

Required Linguistics Core Courses (13 units)

LING 501 - Fundamentals of Linguistics Units: 3
LING 503 - Functions of Language Units: 3
LING 600 - Professional Development in Linguistics Units: 1
LING 795 - Seminar in Linguistics Units: 3

And one course from the following:

LING 502 - Language in Mind and Society Units: 3
LING 551 - Sociolinguistics Units: 3
LING 552 - Psycholinguistics Units: 3

Note

Note that completion of LING 501 or equivalent is a prerequisite to LING 502 , LING 551 , and LING 552 .

Prescribed General Linguistics Concentration Electives (9 units)

At Least Nine (9) Units from the Following:

LING 602 - Advanced Study of Language in Mind and Society Units: 3
LING 610 - Topics in Historical Linguistics Units: 3
LING 620 - Advanced Formal Syntax Units: 3
LING 626 - Pragmatics Units: 3
LING 651 - Seminar in Sociolinguistic Research in the Speech Community Units: 3
LING 696 - Advanced Topics in Linguistics Units: 1-3 (with general linguistics content)

Electives (6 units)

Students selecting this concentration may enroll in courses in Linguistics (LING) as electives. Elective courses should be selected in consultation with the Graduate Advisor. Students will generally take elective courses from graduate courses in Linguistics; however, with the approval of the Graduate Advisor, a maximum of six units of courses with linguistics content taken in other departments may be accepted for graduate credit in linguistics.

Culminating Experience (3 units)

In consultation with the graduate advisor, students select one of two options.

Plan A:
Plan A students must select a committee of three faculty members, two of whom are from the Linguistics department, to supervise the thesis.

LING 799A Thesis Units: 3

Plan B:
A written comprehensive examination and an additional elective course (3 units) approved by the Graduate Advisor.