The faculty of UWM Linguistics provide courses, research opportunities, and advising for students who wish to earn a doctoral degree. Students will join a collaborative community of scholars who use theoretical, empirical, and applied techniques to uncover the structure of language, and their training will prepare them for careers in academia, language education, or language technology.Our program is particularly appropriate for students with research interests in syntax, semantics, phonetics, phonology, and second language acquisition, as well as ESL pedagogy. We offer exceptional facilities, with four dedicated linguistics laboratories available to students wishing to conduct experimental research. We organize regular reading groups as well as colloquium presentations by linguists from all over the world, and we pride ourselves on close mentoring relationships between students and advisors.
Which department am I in?
College of Letters and Science
Study options
Full Time
(6 Semesters)
Tuition fees
US$27,090.00
per year
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment – 800
Start date
September 2026
Venue
Wisconsin-Milwaukee Campus
3203 N Downer Ave,
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin,
53211, Midwest, United States
Entry requirements
For international students
Students wishing to enter the PhD program in Linguistics, including those who hold a masters degree from elsewhere, must satisfy the requirements for the UWM Master of Arts degree in Linguistics. Students apply to the Graduate School for admission, which, in turn, forwards completed applications to the Department. The Department faculty then evaluates the applications and decides on admissions to the PhD program in Linguistics. Occasionally, an exceptionally well-qualified student will be admitted to the PhD program with a baccalaureate degree. The student must complete the requirements of the MA degree in the course of fulfilling the requirements for the PhD.
New students are admitted each year typically to begin in the Fall term. To be considered, all application materials normally must be received by the Graduate School no later than December 15. Admission materials will include:
Completed Graduate School application.
Official transcripts of previous work, including evidence of a masters degree either completed or in progress.
Three letters of recommendation.
Sample of written work.
Statement of purpose.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.