The Department of Linguistics offers programs leading to the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in Linguistics. An MA specialization in descriptive linguistics of Native American Languages is also available. In addition, the department, together with the Department of Anthropology offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Anthropology and Linguistics (ANLI) http://grad.arizona.edu/prog_desc/anli.php and participates in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT).

For the doctorate, specializations are available in such areas as: syntax, phonology, phonetics, semantics, morphology, Native American linguistics, Celtic linguistics, English linguistics, Persian linguistics, East Asian Linguistics, cognitive science, language acquisition and development, and language processing.

Applicants for admission must forward to the department scores on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination, three letters of recommendation from previous instructors or academic advisors, sample work, and a departmental application form. International students who are not native speakers of English must take the TOEFL Test and gain a minimum score of 550. The specialization in Native American Linguistics (MA): This program is designed to train members of Native American Communities to do descriptive research on their languages, and to prepare for careers teaching these languages and related fields. This degree does not automatically lead into the Ph.D. program. A total of 26 units of course work is required along with a 6 unit thesis. Courses include LING 500, 597a, 545a, 545b, LRC 510, and electives. Some course work is taken during the summer months at the American Indian Languages Development Institute (AILDI).

All students, regardless of their intended specialization or degree objective (except students in the Native American Linguistics program) are expected to complete the following courses: 501, 503, 504 or 505, 510, 514, 595a (two semesters), and two of the following: 532, 535, 564. These courses cover the foundations and major current developments in the phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics of natural languages. Master of Arts in Linguistics: Students normally receive their MA in the second year as they proceed towards the Ph.D. program in Linguistics. Students interested in this program should apply directly to the Doctoral Program. A total of 30 units of course work is required, including all of the courses listed above. Doctor of Philosophy: In addition to the courses listed above, students must complete 697a, two seminars, and a dissertation. Additional courses and seminars are required depending on the student's area of specialization and minor field. A minor taken within the department consists of 12 units. The written comprehensive examination consists of the submission to the faculty of a research paper of the scope of a journal article, normally at the end of the fifth semester and oral comprehensive examination is required within 6 months of passing the written exam. A dissertation proposal must then be approved by the student's dissertation director within a subsequent 6 months. Students enrolled in the joint program in Anthropology and Linguistics have additional course requirements in the Anthropology Department.

Further information about the graduate program is provided in the Handbook of Policy for the Graduate Program in Linguistics, which is available upon request from the department, and accessible through the department's home page.