Combines the core requirements of both the MA in Linguistics and the MA in TESOL. This program includes a 6-hour thesis and it is becoming an increasingly popular option!
For students who are interested in language study but are not committed to either graduate major, the department offers a number of interesting, non-specialist courses which may serve as electives in degree programs such as those offered by: Anthropology; Communication Disorders and Sciences; English; Foreign Languages and Literatures; Psychology; Speech Communication; College of Education.
Course planning: There are a number of areas in the Linguistics MA where you can choose among a set of courses. Because of this, it is up to the student to construct a plan for completing the requirements in the time available. Please confer with your advisor early to make sure you are on track.
Those who choose to write a thesis in Linguistics or TESOL as part of the double major may replace the focus course in TESOL and the elective course from the Linguistics coursework list with up to six thesis writing hours.
Timing: The Double Major requires 42 credit hours. It is possible to complete this program in two years by taking courses during the summer after your first year of study and/or taking twelve credits some semesters. The in-class courses offered during the summer are almost always elective courses. Many students opt to take some thesis credit hours during the summer which is often a good time for uninterrupted work on your thesis, but faculty are not often available for consultation during the summer months.
September 2025
College of Liberal Arts
Southern Illinois University,
CARBONDALE,
Illinois,
62901, United States
Applicants for admission to either degree program, in addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the Graduate School, are expected to have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0). Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 may be granted conditional admission. However, students admitted on a conditional basis must earn a graduate GPA of 3.0 after the first 12 hours of letter-graded course work; failure to do so will result in the student being dropped from the program.
International student applicants who are not native speakers of English must achieve a score of at least 90 (internet based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 7.0 or greater on the IELTS.
Deadlines: Applications will be accepted in the Linguistics office from the beginning of November until Monday of the last week of classes during Fall semester and from the beginning of April until Monday of the last week of classes during Spring semester.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
