Gallaudet's Ph.D. program in linguistics, with a focus on sign language, opened its doors in the fall semester of 2002. Students may specialize in a range of theoretical and applied areas related to sign language, including phonology, syntax, morphology, cognitive linguistics, sociolinguistics, first language acquisition, and second language acquisition.

Because of the unique sign language focus of the Gallaudet M.A. curriculum in Linguistics, successful completion of this degree is a prerequisite for the Ph.D. program. Additionally, students wishing to apply to the Ph.D. program must submit an application portfolio to the Linguistics faculty for review during their fourth semester in the M.A. program.

Successful applicants advance to Ph.D. candidacy and are required to complete a minimum of 36 credits of coursework beyond those completed for the M.A. degree, followed by dissertation research. Ph.D. level coursework includes the following required courses, plus 12 credits of elective coursework: Sociolinguistics in Deaf Communities (LIN 741), Guided Research Project (LIN 880, taken twice), Phonology III (LIN 801), Generative Linguistics III (LIN 802), Cognitive Linguistics III (LIN 827), Concept Paper (LIN 803), Dissertation Proposal Development (LIN 890), and Dissertation Research (LIN 900).

For the program of study and requirements for the Ph.D. in Linguistics, click here and view left-hand menu, "Ph.D. Linguistics".

Requirements

Additional Program Requirements

For Gallaudet M.A. Linguistics students/graduates only:

  1. Letter of interest, including a description of dissertation research topic and question and identification of a faculty member who you would like to have as your dissertation advisor and who you have discussed your topic and question with and who has agreed to consider being your advisor.
  2. CV - Including academic background, relevant extracurricular activities such as participation in linguistics conferences, student or faculty research projects, linguistics teaching, receipt of awards or research grants.
  3. Graduate-level paper, in either ASL or English that exemplifies your work
  4. LIN PhD entrance exam
  5. Successful completion of the GU M.A. Linguistics program
  6. Official transcripts of all graduate study
  7. ASLPI result of 3+ or higher

For applicants not in or graduated from Gallaudet M.A. Linguistics program only:

  1. Letter of interest, including a description of dissertation research topic and question and identification of a faculty member who you would like to have as your dissertation advisor and who you have discussed your topic and question with and who has agreed to consider being your advisor.
  2. CV - Including academic background, relevant extracurricular activities such as participation in linguistics conferences, student or faculty research projects, linguistics teaching, receipt of awards or research grants.
  3. Successful completion of an M.A. degree
  4. Graduate-level paper in English that exemplifies your written work
  5. Official transcripts of all graduate study
  6. Three letters of recommendation
  7. Goals Statement in ASL (http://youtu.be/Pkzsu8zNdyk)
  8. Graduate-level paper in ASL, or ASL sample (http://youtu.be/pxcYOTjtmwE)
  9. ASLPI result of 3+ or higher