Continuing into the Ph.D. program in Linguistics at UW from the CLMS program

If you are a CLMS student and interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the Ling Department at UW, here is some information about what needs to be done before and after getting your CLMS Master's degree.

We are committed to supporting all graduate students transitioning to the PhD program who have no other funding sources and who meet the department's criteria for satisfactory progress toward the degree for up to four years, subject to the availability of funding resources. Additional information on financial support can be found here.

CLMS-to-Ph.D. transition requirements

• Completion of CLMS degree requirements
• Completion of Master's thesis option
• Completion of three (3) courses required for Linguistics Ph.D. (CompLing track), subject to the following restrictions:
• Courses must be taught by at least two (2) non-CL Linguistics faculty.
• Courses may not include 570-573.
• The required general linguistics courses for CompLing track Ph.D. degree in Linguistics:
• 2 courses in syntax: 566, 507, 508
• 2 courses in phonetics/phonology: 550, 551, 552, 553
• 1 course in semantics: 578, 579
• 1 course in sociolinguistics: 532, 533

The CLMS-to-Ph.D. transition process

The CLMS => Ph.D. transition is done in two steps.

• Step 1: CLMS to post-MS status
• Students may apply for post-MS status after receiving their CLMS degree.
• Admission decision is made by the CL faculty.
• After admission, students pay regular UW tuition for courses.
• Step 2: Entering the Linguistics Ph.D. Program
• Applications are due by March 1 each year.
• Admissions decisions will be made by April 1.
• The application requirements:
• Students applying for CLMS-to-PhD transition must have filed their Master's thesis at the time of application.
• Applicants should submit the following materials via the online form here and recommenders should submit their letters here:
  • A one page statement of research plans
  • A brief letter of support from the UW CL faculty member who has agreed to be your advisor
  • A brief letter of support of another UW Linguistics faculty member (CLMS or otherwise)
  • UW transcript (unofficial is fine)
  • CV
• Admission decision is made by the full linguistics faculty.

Suggestions for a quick and smooth transition to the Ph.D. program

• When you choose your ling elective, choose one from the general linguistics courses (listed above) required for the Ph.D.
• If you waive 550 or 566, make sure that you replace it with another required course for the Ph.D.
• Let your thesis advisor know about your plan early so (s)he can help you with course planning.
• Do well in your course and thesis work so your petition to the Ph.D. program will receive support from the faculty.
• You might also want to apply for external funding such as NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to support your Ph.D. study.

Example Curriculum:

• CompLing core: 570-573
• Linguistics core: 550, 566
• Thesis: 700: 10 credits
• Linguistics elective: 532
• CompLing or CompLing-related electives: 575, 567

The requirements for receiving a Ph.D. in the CompLing track

The requirements for getting a Ph.D. in the CompLing track from the UW Linguistics Department are specified here.