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Applicants to The University of Arizona’s Ph.D. program in Anthropology and Linguistics (ANLI) should have significant background in both linguistics and anthropology. The ANLI program makes it possible for students to pursue the study of language in its social context and linguistic theory, drawing on the resources of both the Department of Linguistics and the Linguistic Anthropology program within the School of Anthropology, without having to go through two separate Ph.D. programs. Potential applicants should clearly address in their statement of intent how their past experiences and future research interests fit with the current strengths of both departments.
Both departments have strong national reputations for their contributions to the study of language, and each department has specialized in mutually compatible ways in the kinds of linguistic theory and analysis it offers students. The Department of Linguistics focuses on both formal and experimental models of language structure, including the study of Southwestern Native American languages and cultures, and historical linguistics. Linguistic Anthropology, as one of the four sub-disciplines within the field of anthropology, has concentrated on developing the study of language in its social context, particularly in sociolinguistics, including strong links with Cultural Anthropology. Scholars from both departments have also carried out research and fieldwork on numerous languages.
The joint degree in Anthropology and Linguistics is designed for students with interests in both departments who would emerge from the program as job candidates for both linguistics and anthropology departments. Both the School of Anthropology and Department of Linguistics offer teaching assistantships and research support for students in the joint Ph.D. program.
The Department of Linguistics at the University of Arizona offers undergraduate and graduate programs in linguistics and human language technology. Our faculty has research specializations in phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, computational linguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition, represented by diverse interests in a variety of languages. We also offer unique programs in Native American linguistics. The department trains students for careers in teaching, research, and industry, and is equipped with a variety of laboratory facilities.
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
GPA Requirement
Prospective applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA in order to qualify for admission.
Statement of Intent
Applicants must submit a concise statement of intent demonstrating their academic goals, career goals, and why a graduate degree in linguistics would help him/her pursue these goals.
Writing Sample
Applicants must provide a writing sample to demonstrate their level and proficiency of writing.
Standardized Tests
The GRE is optional, not required for the PhD, MS, and Joint PhD Programs. It is recommended, but not required to the MA in Native American Languages and Linguistics Program.
English Proficiency
English proficiency is one of the requirements for admission for all applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants must submit a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 on the paper-based test (PB), 79 on the internet-based test (iBT), or a IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score of 7 (no subject area below a score of 6). International students seeking graduate teaching assistantships must attain the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score listed above, and in addition must attain a score of 26 or higher on the speak portion of the TOEFL IBT.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from letter writers who know the student’s work, specifically assessing student’s ability to carry out graduate work in linguistics. Applicants are encouraged to submit letters of recommendation from professors who are familiar with the applicant's recent academic work.
Required test(s):
Minimum TOEFL: Score of 550 on the paper-based test (PB) or 79 on the internet-based test (iBT)
Minimum IELTS: Composite score of 7 (no subject area below a score of 6)
The ANLI program is a part of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which allows Ph.D. students who are residents of the WICHE member states to enroll in the ANLI program and pay resident tuition. The WICHE states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. To be considered for the WRGP resident tuition rate, apply directly to the department or graduate studies department of the institution where you want to enroll, and identify yourself as WICHE WRGP applicant. WGRP students must fulfill all the usual requirements of the department and institution concerned, and meet all admission deadlines. Contact information for each participating program is listed in our WRGP online directory.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
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In Anthropology, students are required to take two semesters of the interdisciplinary core course, Anth 608A and 608B, as well as Anth680, "Foundations of Linguistic Anthropology."
In Linguistics, students are required to take Ling 503, "Foundations of Syntactic Theory", Ling 510, "Phonology", and Ling 697A, "Prelim", as well as the one-credit 'Linguistics Colloquium" course.
Required coursework - 46 units of coursework, 18 dissertation units
Ling 503 Syntax (3)
Ling 510 Phonology (3)
Ling 697A Prelim (3)
Ling 595 Colloquim (1)
Anth 608A Anthro Theory I (3)
Anth 608B Anthro Theory II (3)
Anth 680 Foundations of Ling Anthropology (3)
Ling 515: Phonological Phonetics (3) OR Ling 507: Statistical Analysis for Linguists (3)
Anth 620: Linguistic Field Techniques (3) OR Ling588: Linguistic Elicitation and Documentation (3)
Four additional courses in Anthropology, chosen from the following:
Anth 576 Language and Culture (3)
Anth 580 Historical Lingusitics (3)
Anth 583 Sociolinguistics (3)
Anth 585 Face-to-Face Interaction (3)
Anth 589 American Indian Languages (3)
Anth 678 Ethnographic Discourse Analysis (3)
Anth 679 Language and Ethnography (3)
Anth 681 Keywords in Linguistics Anthropology (3)
Anth 696C Topics Seminars
Five courses must be taken out of the following six areas (one out of each group, with one group not treated). All courses are 3 units each.
Computational Group:
LING 508 Computational Techniques for Linguists
LING 538 Computational Linguistics
LING 539 Statistical NLP
LING 578 Speech Technology
Foundation Group:
LING 501 Foundation of Linguistic Theory
LING 507 Statistical Analysis for Linguists
LING 588 Linguistic Elicitation and Documentation
LING 518 Analysis and Argumentation
Phonology/Phonetics Group:
LING 514 Phonology II
LING 515 Phonological Phonetics
LING 516 History of Phonology
Psycholinguistics Group:
LING 532 Psychology of Language
LING 533 Theories of Language Development
LING 543 Advanced Language Development (syntax/lexicon)
Syntax/Semantics Group
LING 504 Advanced Syntactic Theory
LING 505 Theories of Grammar
LING 506 Major Works in Syntactic Theory
LING 564 Formal Semantics
LING 522 Lexical Semantics
Typology/Morphology Group:
LING 535 Morphology
LING 544 Typology and Universals
LING 545 Structure of Non-Western Language
LING 554 Structure of A Near-Eastern Language
Colloquium
Two one-credit colloquium courses, LING595A, are to be taken in the 1st and 2nd semesters.
Comprehensive exam “Prelim” course
Students are required to enroll in a one-credit course, LING697A, in their 4th or 5th semester that provides support in writing one of their written comprehensive exam papers.
Professionalism in Linguistics
There is a required one-credit course on professionalism, LING689, (separate from the comprehensive exam course) to be taken by the 6th semester. This class is required of all students. In addition, the graduate advisor will be responsible to meet with students in order to cover issues such as students’ survival skills, meetings with professors, planning graduate career, library resources, etc.
Seminars
A minimum of two seminar courses is required. However, students are encouraged to attend all seminars that meet their curricular goals throughout their graduate career, and should consult with their advisor on the number and type of additional seminars to consider.
Before moving on to their dissertation research, students write a comprehensive exam in Anthropology and a qualifying 'prelim' paper in Linguistics (while taking the "Prelim" course; see above). During dissertation research, students must register for at least 18 dissertation units, in compliance with Graduate College regulations.
Major and minor: For University paperwork (i.e. GradPath), ANLI students have "ANLI" as both major and minor. ANLI students do not need to choose a Department-internal major or minor specialization, as ANLI serves as their specialization.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 9.09% |
| Avg. Time-to-degree (years) | n/a |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | n/a |
| Enrollment Percent Female | n/a |
| Enrollment Percent International | n/a |
| Enrollment Percent URM | n/a |