Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics - Signed Languages

The Department of Linguistics offers programs of graduate study leading to the M.A. and the Ph.D. Theoretical approaches in all areas of linguistics are emphasized, providing a thorough grounding in five core areas of linguistics through required courses in phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and field methods. Advanced courses are offered in the department's core concentrations of phonetics and phonology, syntax and semantics, descriptive and documentary linguistics, computational linguistics, and the linguistics of signed languages, as well as areas that may be within the research interests of specific faculty. Students may also elect to take related coursework in such departments as Anthropology, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology, and Statistics, as well as specific language departments.
The Department of Linguistics at The University of Texas at Austin has a long tradition of supporting advanced research on the linguistics of signed languages. That research has concerned the experimental phonetics of signed languages, various aspects of the grammars of signed languages, the sociolinguistics of signing communities, the history of signed languages, multilingualism among signers, and the acquisition of signed languages as first and second languages. The research conducted here has examined not only ASL, but also many other sign languages and their communities, including sign languages of Brazil, Mexico, and Tajikistan, among others, as well as emergent sign languages in Peru and Mexico. There is no particular sequence of courses that is required for all students who wish to study the linguistics of signed languages. Instead, if the student is interested in studying the psycholinguistics of signed languages, they would be expected to complete coursework that is appropriate to work in psycholinguistics generally. Likewise, if a student is interested in the syntax of signed languages, they would be advised to take the same program of courses as other students in syntax. On a regular basis, students enroll in a research seminar (LIN 389V) on the linguistics of signed languages.

Statement of Purpose - a clear and straightforward statement in which you give an idea of: your current interests in linguistics, how these interests developed, your plans for graduate study and eventual specialization, even if tentative. The statement of purpose may be uploaded electronically through the online application process.
Recommendation letters - we require three letters from professors who know you and your work. E-mails will be sent to the recommenders whom applicants identify on the application. The recommenders will receive a link which they can use to upload letters of recommendation.
Sample research paper, or work of similar scope, that clearly demonstrates your writing ability.
Curriculum Vitae
List of Publications (submitted as Supplemental Info).
Do not send official paper transcripts at this time. You will only be required to submit official paper transcripts if you are admitted to the program.
A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or a comparable GPA in upper-division workjunior- and senior-level coursesand in any graduate work already completed is also required.

TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT)
IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination