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The linguistics PhD program at the University of Chicago is designed as a six-year journey. Following the quarter system, graduate students typically enroll in three courses each quarter across three quarters annually. Coursework generally spans three to four years. During the initial two years, students complete eight core courses chosen from thirteen offerings, with six required in the first year. Alongside these fundamentals, students must complete a methods course and three advanced linguistics electives. The second and third years focus on continued coursework while students produce two qualifying papers with faculty guidance. Additional requirements include demonstrating proficiency in a non-Indo-European language and passing a reading exam in another non-English language. While developing their qualifying papers in years two and three, students must concurrently participate in the Research Seminar.
Applicants to our graduate and professional programs are expected to be enrolled in or to have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants from a three-year bachelor’s program will be given due consideration. Because all of our programs feature competitive admission, no particular academic degree or background will guarantee admission to one of our graduate divisions.
English language requirements:
The minimum required score for the TOEFL is 104 overall, with 4 sub scores of 26 each. Minimum required scores in the IELTS are an overall score of 7, with sub scores of 7 each.