linguistics phd yale

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Christina Oh

Christina Oh is currently pursuing her M.A. in European and Russian Studies at Yale. She holds a B.A. in Linguistics with a Minor in Russian from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC, Christina conducted extensive counterterrorism research, co-publishing one of the first comprehensive databases of right-wing extremist crime in the United States. During her senior year, Christina spent the months following the Russian invasion of Ukraine helping organize the volunteer effort Berlin Central Station, where she translated for refugees using language skills gained through the Critical Language Scholarship program. 

After graduating from UNC, Christina worked at the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), a bipartisan Congressional commission dedicated to helping the Ukrainian war effort, where she organized hearings and helped draft legislation designating the Wagner Group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Following her time in government, Christina entered the private sector, working as a Fellow at Pallas Advisors and Silicon Valley Defense Group, where she connected defense technology companies to government and venture capital.

At Yale, Christina plans to research the ethics of modern-day diplomacy between the West and Russia, and the role of state-sponsored propaganda in the Russian consciousness. 

Yale Linguistics

You are here, admissions faqs, do i apply for to the whole program or should i apply for one specific subfield.

You apply to the whole program. The application requires that you specify the subfield that is of primary interest to you, and you may also specify another.

Can I start in the Spring?

Graduate students are only admitted for the fall term.  The application process begins mid-August and all requirements are due by December 1 the year before you start. It is possible to defer entry to the PhD program for 1 academic year, if you are accepted.

Can I send you information, grades and a CV about myself so you can evaluate if I will be accepted?

All personal information should be uploaded on the online application.  You can also contact  a professor whose  research  is closely related to your interests and talk to them.

Do I have to take the GRE's?

We do not consider GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores in evaluating applications.

What do my TOEFL or IELTS scores have to be?

There is no  minimum  required score. TOEFL or IELTS scores are only one consideration in evaluating applications for admission.

Do I need to take the TOEFL examination?

The TOEFL can only be waived if you received (or will receive) a baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction. The degree must have been awarded before matriculation at Yale. (This is a Graduate School requirement.)

Do I need a master’s to get into the PhD program?

No. Some of our students have taken Masters degrees before applying to the program, but others come in with a Bachelors degree.

What factors are considered in admitting students to our program?

We want to find the best students who are equipped for graduate school, and a good fit for our program. Factors considered (NOT in order of importance) include:

• Personal statement 
• Research experience (this is not a requirement, but we find that the students who are best prepared for graduate school have had some research experience, either through a senior project, independent study, or as a research assistant to a faculty member)
• Submitted writing sample (we want to see that you can write an academic essay)
• Match between interests of students and Yale Linguistics faculty
• Content of letters of recommendation
• Coursework and grades at previous institution(s)
• Language background

Does my writing sample have to be in English?

Yes. All entering students are required to read and write English fluently.

Can my writing sample be over the required pages?

Yes, you can send a longer paper if you think that is represents your best work. Note however that we are looking for quality in the writing sample, not quantity. If you are including a Masters or Senior thesis, you could consider including an excerpt and providing a link to the full version.

What are you looking for in the personal statement?

Your statement should convey your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study in linguistics. You should outline your areas of research interest, what kinds of questions you would like to pursue, and why you are in a good position to answer these questions. What kinds of linguistics questions interest you? Why do you think they are good to study? Be as specific as you can. We are interested in candidates with strong analytical abilities, and laying out research questions and ideas in a clear and compelling manner is a good opportunity to demonstrate such abilities. Your statement should also address the issue of fit between your interests and those of the faculty members in Linguistics at Yale (hint: spend some time looking at  faculty research pages ). Applications from candidates, however strong, with research interests far removed from those of the department faculty are not likely to be successful.

What languages do I have to be proficient in before I enter?

None in particular (apart from English). Languages provide the data for linguistics, and linguists often crucially exploit their knowledge of their languages that they speak or sign. Obviously, then, proficiency in some language or languages other than one’s native tongue is a helpful resource to draw upon during graduate school and beyond, and is one of many factors taken into account during the admissions process. At the same time, proficiency in language doesn’t always translate into insight into theoretical issues. In addition, since research is typically guided by theoretical questions, one can’t ensure that the languages in which one has expertise match those one is led to study.

What classes should I take to prepare for a PhD in linguistics?

There are no specific courses that we require. Students come to PhD programs in linguistics with a variety of academic backgrounds, including, of course, linguistics, but also psychology, computer science, philosophy, classics, anthropology, mathematics, cognitive science, music and others. These fields provide different aspects of the foundation for work in linguistics, like formal and analytical skills, experience in working with patterns in language data, and training in experimental methods. Of course, some coursework in (theoretical) linguistics is helpful, both for students to ensure that they know what they are getting themselves into, and for the admissions committee, to get a sense of students’ promise and commitment to the field.

Can I take classes that I am deficient in while I am getting my PhD?

The amount of work in the graduate program does not permit first year students to do much remedial work. That said, the coursework is largely self-contained: the core requirements do not presuppose any specific background.

What is the status of my application?

If you are an applicant seeking answers to any of the following questions:

• Do you have my letters of recommendation?
• Do you have my writing sample yet?
• Was my application received?
• Did you receive my recommendations?

Then please log onto the GSAS website to  check the status of your application online .

Where do I send my application?

Do not send any materials (via mail or email) to the department or to the admissions office.  

You must  apply online . All materials must be uploaded onto your online application.

Why wasn’t I accepted? I didn’t get admitted and I was wondering why…

It is not our practice to tell each applicant the reasons for not being accepted. We have many applicants, and they are competing for a small number of positions. In a typical year, we make offers to about 10% of the applicant pool.

Can I reapply?

Yes, if your application is unsuccessful one year, you can reapply the following year if something has materially changed in your application. 

Do I need to apply for financial aid?

PhD students in the program are provided financial support for up to 6 years of study, consisting of full tuition, stipend support, and comprehensive health care coverage. The department and university also provide financial support for travel to conferences and workshops. Generous funding for fieldwork and other overseas research is available through Yale’s MacMillan Center .

Director of Graduate Studies

Any questions about the graduate program can be directed to the DGS, Jim Wood, at jim.wood@yale.edu

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• Share This: Share Mariko Yanagawa (PhD ’06, Linguistics) on Facebook Share Mariko Yanagawa (PhD ’06, Linguistics) on LinkedIn Share Mariko Yanagawa (PhD ’06, Linguistics) on X

Mariko Yanagawa (PhD ’06, Linguistics)

What are your key roles and responsibilities in your current positions? What do you like most about your job and what do you find most challenging? 

I am currently a Senior Director at Avanade, a global technology consulting firm. My main responsibility is to leverage my expertise in data analytics and data storytelling to streamline and bolster the company’s Data/AI capabilities and internal analytics structure as well as design and manage changes in the current ways of working. I see myself as a change agent in this role where I lead and work on various cross-functional initiatives that are of high significance to the company.

I appreciate that my role has a large degree of autonomy and flexibility as well as creative freedom. I enjoy building things while collaborating with other people, whether it’s building a new team, culture, or a new approach or capability, and I get to do that in my current role. The biggest challenge, which is not specific to this role but any role, is to understand the processes and how the teams work, build the network of key people, and establish the right foundation for my projects to be successful.

List or describe the top 5+ professional skills that are crucial to your role. 

• People and communication – This includes relationship building, team building, effective communication and presentation as well as public speaking.
• Data storytelling – This is the ability to translate and elevate data insights into business strategy and decision-making. When it comes to data analytics the focus tends to be on technical skills like coding, and I find that many companies overlook the importance of data storytelling skills for the crucial last mile where data should effectively guide and steer business in the right direction.
• Curiosity and creativity – I find that having strong curiosity helps you open doors that lead to new ideas. Being creative doesn’t mean you need to be artistic. What’s important is the desire and passion to create something new to solve an issue.
• Project management and organization – In my professional career, work usually takes the form of a project. You need to be organized and be on top of everything (goals, people, tasks, risks, timeline, etc.) involved in a project.
• Leadership qualities – This is a very big blanket term for many critical leadership qualities. To me this is all about having the right state of mind to reach professional maturity. These qualities include but are not limited to empathy, adaptability, integrity, commitment, transparency, confidence, and passion.
• Professional presence – As you become more senior, I learned that it becomes increasingly important to know how to present yourself in a professional setting. How you are perceived by others is very important in a corporate environment and it is good to be aware of this.

How did your time at Yale shape your career trajectory? For example, what skills and/or experiences did you acquire that have contributed to your career success? 

My time and experience at Yale helped shape my career in many ways. My early skills in data analytics were acquired at Yale where I conducted many experiments with speakers of different languages, building and testing hypotheses, collecting data, creating large datasets and analyzing data using statistics. This is where I discovered the art of data storytelling, pulling insights out of a vast sea of numbers and telling a story. Having opportunities to present in front of large audiences at academic conferences was extremely valuable in honing my presentation and public speaking skills as well as boosting my confidence.

I was fortunate to have worked as a research assistant at Haskins Laboratories, which is a Yale-affiliated research lab specializing in speech science. I worked with professional researchers at Haskins, where I learned how to manage multiple projects supported by grants and built relationships in a professional setting.

A PhD dissertation in and of itself is a very large long-term project where you gain time management and project management skills, problem solving skills, as well as writing skills. In my opinion the two most significant things a PhD gives you are perseverance and tenacity. I firmly believe that if one can finish a PhD program, one is well poised to tackle a complex project in a professional environment.

What were the biggest challenges that you faced when transitioning to different workplaces and cultures? What advice and suggestions can you offer to current students to help them prepare for those challenges?

When transitioning to a different workplace, the biggest challenge is to learn about the organization and understand how things work in that organization. Every organization has its own quirks and you need to fully understand the culture first to make an impact. In order to be successful in your role, you need to establish your own personal brand and carve out a niche for yourself in the organization. To do this, you first need to understand where you fit from a big picture perspective. You need to talk to a lot of people and identify the key individuals who are influential in your area of work. You will also want to find out what’s working well and what could be done better. It is often helpful to practice active listening, take notes on who’s who, and carefully observe how things are done.

On a personal note, I relocated from the US to Japan not too long ago in the summer of 2022. Having built my entire professional career post-Yale in the San Francisco Bay Area, it has been an additional challenge to learn and adjust to a new work culture since ways of working in Japan are very different from those in the US. This move has certainly broadened my horizon and I believe having experience in two work cultures and having two cultural perspectives have given me an advantage in how I approach a project and solve a problem.

My advice for current students is to hone your communication skills and be a team player with an open mind. Listening is a key skill that is often underrated because everyone focuses on speaking, presenting and getting their ideas across. While they get guidance from their advisors, PhD students tend to work by themselves, setting their own goals and managing progress and timeline for themselves. In industry, work projects are usually done in teams. Therefore it is extremely important to be a good team player with an open mind who appreciates diverse points of views and can collaborate effectively with others.

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Yale College Programs of Study 2024–2025

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Computing and Linguistics

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• Summary of Requirements

Director of undergraduate studies:   Robert Frank (Linguistics); Computing and Linguistics website

The Computing and Linguistics major provides multidisciplinary training in the computational study of human language, the development of systems for natural language processing, and the automated analysis of textual data in applications in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Students learn the foundational tools and methods that underlie this work, including areas of computer science, statistics and data science, and linguistics, and apply them to some empirical domain, through coursework and an independent research project in the senior year. 

The B.A. in Computing and Linguistics exposes students to the fundamental ideas and foundational techniques of the field, while the B.S. provides more extensive training and engagement in research, preparing students for graduate work in the area. 

prerequisites

There are three prerequisites for this major and they fall in three areas of study: (1) statistics , satisfied through S&DS 100 , 101–106, 123 , or 220 , or comparable background in statistics (e.g., through a score of 5 on the AP Statistics exam) as approved by the director of undergraduate studies (DUS); (2) programming , satisfied through CPSC 100 or 112 or comparable programming experience as approved by the DUS; and (3) linguistics , satisfied through one 100 level Linguistics course. It is also advisable that students have some background in single-variable calculus, prior to beginning this major. 

Requirements of the Major

B.A. degree program  The B.A. degree program requires 11 term credits beyond the prerequisites and not including the senior requirement. Core courses, as listed below, are required from the following categories: 2 math core courses; 1 statistics core course ( S&DS 238 ); 2 linguistics core courses; 2 computation core courses; 3 advanced courses; 1 elective, and 1 senior requirement course.

B.S. degree program  The B.S. degree program requires 14 term credits beyond the prerequisites and not including the senior requirement. Core courses, as listed below, are required from the following categories: 2 math core courses; 2 statistics core courses; 3 linguistics core courses; 2 computation core courses; 3 advanced courses; 2 electives, and 2 senior requirement courses.

Math core courses  Both B.A. and B.S. degree students must take one course in proof-based discrete mathematics (one of MATH 244 , LING 224 , or CPSC 202 ) and one course in linear algebra (either MATH 222 or MATH 225 ).

Statistics core courses   These provide foundations in probability and statistical theory. B.A. degree students satisfy this requirement by taking  S&DS 238 ; B.S. degree students choose between two options (1) one of  S&DS 240 or S&DS 241 , together with  S&DS 242 ; (2)  S&DS 238  and either  S&DS 230  or any S&DS course numbered 242 or above.

Linguistics core courses  These courses,  LING 232 ,  253 , and  263 , expose students to the nature of linguistic structure and its variability across languages, at the level of sound (phonology), form (syntax) and meaning (semantics). B.A. degree students must take 2 out of these 3 courses, while B.S. degree students must take all 3.

Computation core courses  Computational studies of language rest crucially on the foundations of computer science and programming. To this end, both B.A. and B.S. degree students must take CPSC 201 and 223 .

Advanced courses   Both B.A. and B.S. degree students   must take 1 advanced course in linguistic structure, either  LING 235 , 254 , or 264 ; 1 course in natural language processing, either CPSC 477  or  LING 227 ; and 1 course in machine learning, either  S&DS 265 , 365 , or CPSC 381 .

Electives  Elective courses may be used to explore the application of the techniques of computational linguistics across a range of disciplines or to deepen expertise in these techniques. Courses that are pre-approved to satisfy the elective requirement are listed on the Computing and Linguistics major website , but other relevant courses may satisfy this requirement with DUS approval. B.A. degree students take 1 elective course; B.S. degree students take 2 electives.   

Credit/D/Fail  Courses taken Credit/D/Fail may not be counted toward the major (other than as prerequisites).

Senior Requirement

All Computing and Linguistics majors enroll in the capstone seminar CSLI 490 in the fall of the senior year. This seminar includes discussion of student research, as well as presentations by researchers in the field from both inside and outside of Yale. B.A. degree students complete a senior project as part of CSLI 490 , working either on an independent project supervised by a Yale faculty member with relevant expertise or as part of a group effort of capstone seminar participants. B.S. degree students enroll in the capstone seminar in the fall and continue work on their senior project in the spring. The senior project of B.S. degree students must involve independent research. 

Students interested in the Computing and Linguistics major are encouraged to consult with the DUS. Further information about the major and answers to FAQs are available on the Computing and Linguistics website . The entire selection of courses by students in the major must be approved by the DUS.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites  Statistics : one of S&DS 100 , 101-106, 123 , or 220 or comparable experience; Programming : CPSC 100 or 112 or comparable experience;  Linguistics:  one 100-level LING course  

Number of courses  B.A . degree—11 term credits beyond prereqs and not incl senior req; B.S. degree —14 term credits beyond prereqs and not including senior req

Specific courses required  For both degrees —2 computational core courses: CPSC 201 and CPSC 223 ; for B.A. degree — S&DS 238

Distribution of courses Both degrees —2 math core courses, 1 adv linguistics structure course, 1 adv natural language processing course, 1 adv course in machine learning;  B.A. degree —2 linguistics core courses, 1 elective ; B.S. degree —2 statistics core courses, 3 linguistics cor e courses, 2 electives

Substitution permitted Elective courses in computational linguistics, machine-learning and applications of computational linguistics, as approved by DUS

Senior requirement Both degrees —Capstone seminar CSLI 490 ; B.S. degree —one additional semester of senior project

Prerequisites 

• S&DS 100 , 101-106, 123 , or 220 or comparable experience experience
• CPSC 100 or 112 or comparable experience
• 1 100-level LING course  

Requirements 

B.A. degree

11 credits beyond the prerequisites (not including the senior requirement)

• S&DS 238
• 2 math core courses
• 1 advanced linguistics structure course
• 1 advanced natural language processing course
• 1 advanced course in machine learning
• 2 linguistics core courses

B.S. Degree

14 credits beyond the prerequisites (not including the senior requirement)

• CSLI 490  and one additional senior project course
• 2 statistics core courses
• 3 linguistics cor e  courses
• 2 electives

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• PhD/Master's Application Process

Who is Eligible to Apply? 

If you have completed your undergraduate degree (bachelor's or equivalent) or will have completed it prior to your intended matriculation date at Yale, you may apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).

A Master's degree is not required to apply for a PhD at Yale, although some programs give preference to applicants with post-baccalaureate training. Consult your program of interest directly for information on how it evaluates applications.

We value diversity of all kinds at the Graduate School, and we encourage students from all backgrounds to apply if Yale is a good fit for your intellectual and professional goals. All are welcome to apply, without regard to citizenship or immigration status, socioeconomic level, race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, disability, etc.

Requirements for All PhD and Master's Degree Applicants

You will need to provide the following with your application for admission:

• A statement of academic purpose. You will find the prompt for the statement of purpose in our Application Question FAQs . 
• A list of all the prior colleges or universities you have attended, accompanied by unofficial transcripts from each school. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with your application. Official or paper transcripts are not needed at this time. 
• Three letters of recommendation. Enter the names of your recommenders directly in the application and they will receive a link to upload a letter on your behalf. 
• $105 application fee or fee waiver. 
• Standardized tests . GRE requirements vary by program. TOEFL or IELTS are necessary for most non-native English speakers. 
• Resume/CV . 
• Some programs have additional requirements, such as a writing sample . You can find information about any specific requirements on the program's website. 

Where Do I Begin?

Decide whether you will apply for a PhD or a terminal Master’s (MA, MS) in one of the programs available at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences . (Note that you will earn one or more Master's degrees en route to a PhD.) Learn about the program: its faculty, course offerings, and resources. Read the faculty's research publications. If you can identify and articulate why the program is a good fit for you and show how your preparation and interests align well with it, you will have a strong application.

A note to students applying to one of Yale’s professional schools or programs:

• If you are applying for a PhD in Architecture, Environment, Investigative Medicine, Law, Management, Music, Nursing, or Public Health; for an MS in Public Health; or for an MA in Music, be sure to use the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences PhD/Master's application.
• If you are applying for any other degree at one of the University’s professional schools (Art, Architecture, Divinity, Drama, Environment, Global Affairs, Law, Management, Medicine, Music, Nursing, and Public Health), visit that school’s website for further instructions. Those programs have separate admissions policies and processes that are administered by the professional schools, not GSAS.

Application deadlines vary by program, so please see Dates & Deadlines for information about your program of interest. 

All new students matriculate in the fall. The admissions process begins nearly a year in advance of matriculation.

Some PhD and Master’s degree programs require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Check your program's standardized testing requirement before you apply. 

In addition, applicants whose native language is not English may need to take an English Language test (TOEFL or IELTS).

The application for Fall 2025 entry is now available. 

Be sure to complete and submit the application before your program's application deadline. 

Your application fee or an approved fee waiver is due upon submission of your application. 

Your letters of recommendation do not need to be received before you will be able to submit your application. However, since programs begin reviewing applications shortly after the respective application deadline, please be sure that your letters of recommendation are submitted promptly.

What Happens After I Submit My Application?

The faculty admissions committee in each department and program begins reviewing applications shortly after their application deadline. Led by the director of graduate studies (DGS) or director of graduate admissions (DGA), the committee will recommend students for admission to the Graduate School. Once confirmed by the deans of the Graduate School, the admissions office will release final decisions to applicants.

Unlike undergraduate admissions, the admissions office and staff of the Graduate School maintain the application, the application process, and other administrative transactions, but the admissions staff does not review applications or make admissions decisions. That responsibility is handled by the faculty of each department or program.

Most admissions decisions are provided between February and early March. You will receive an email notification when your admissions decision is available.

If you are accepted for admission, you will need to decide if you wish to accept our offer by April 15. We abide by Council of Graduate School's April 15 Resolution , regarding graduate financial support. 

Ready to apply? Begin your application today.

PhD/Master's Applicants

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• Dates and Deadlines
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Non-Degree Program Applicants

Looking for non-degree programs? In some cases, it is possible to enroll at the Graduate School as a non-degree student. Non-degree students receive a transcript and many of the benefits of being a Yale student, but do not earn a degree upon completion of their enrollment. We offer three types of non-degree programs.

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Linguistics

# 59 qs subject rankings, 72 months program duration, linguistics main subject area, program overview, main subject.

Linguistics

Study Level

Admission requirements, exam scores, important dates, tuition fee and scholarships, tuition fee, scholarships, domestic students, international students.

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

A list of available scholarships around the world

A scholarship application checklist

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Yale University aims to nurture a spirit of inquiry in its undergraduates, in the hope they will become global citizens instilled with a life-long passion for learning. Not unlike other US institutions, undergraduate study is characterized initially by diversity of subject matter and approach, and in the later years by concentration in one of the major programs or departments. 

Yale University offers more than 70 possible majors, which students declare at the beginning of their sophomore year and range from the sciences to arts subjects, from physics or applied mathematics to classics, art, or African-American studies.   

Undergraduate admission to Yale University, like to all of the best universities, is not easy. In 2016, Yale accepted 1,972 students to the Class of 2020 out of 31,455 applicants, giving it an acceptance rate of 6.27 percent. Of the university’s current undergraduates, half are women and nearly 40 percent are ethnic minority US citizens. A further 10.5 percent are international students.

Yale operates a residential college system which is organizationally modelled on the collegiate system at Oxford and Cambridge in the UK. However, unlike their UK counterparts, Yale’s colleges have limited autonomy and don’t contain any faculties or departments of study. All undergraduates are assigned to a college before their freshman year.

The process of application is robust yet fairly standard: all applicants complete either the Coalition or Common Application, with Yale specific questions, or the Questbridge National College Match Application. Additional requirements for freshman applicants include two teacher recommendations, a school counselor recommendation, a school report (including transcripts), a mid-year report, standardized test results (SAT Verbal, Math, and Writing, and ACT Composite). An interview is not a required part of the process, though applicants are encouraged to meet and talk with an alumnus if possible. 

Receiving some of the top university teaching available is never going to be cheap, and the estimated cost of attendance for Yale undergraduates is US$72,100 per academic year. This includes tuition and fees, room, board, books, and expenses. 

Fortunately, financial aid is available, and the college pledges to pay 100 percent of demonstrated financial need. Families with a gross annual income of less than US$65,000 are not expected to contribute towards their child’s Yale education, and the college’s need-based financial packages average US$49,575 a year. 

International students follow the same procedure and have the same application requirements as other students. Students whose first language is not English however must take a standardized English test such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. 

Arts and Humanities (5)

B.a. in archaeological studies, b.a. in architecture, b.a. in art, b.a. in classical civilization, b.a. in classics, b.a. in east asian languages and literatures, b.a. in english, b.a. in ethics, politics, and economics, b.a. in greek, ancient and modern, b.a. in history, b.a. in history of art, b.a. in italian, b.a. in linguistics, b.a. in literature, b.a. in near eastern languages and civilizations, b.a. in philosophy, b.a. in russian, b.a. in spanish, b.a. in theater studies, b.s. in environmental engineering, engineering and technology (5), b.a. in computer science and psychology, b.a. in computing and the arts, b.a./b.s. in computer science, b.a./b.s. in engineering sciences - electrical, b.a./b.s. in engineering sciences - mechanical, b.s. in chemical engineering, b.s. in electrical engineering, b.s. in electrical engineering and computer science, b.s. in engineering sciences (chemical), b.s. in engineering sciences - environmental, b.s. in mechanical engineering, life sciences and medicine (5), b.a. in anthropology, b.a. in history of science and medicine, b.a. in music, b.a./b.s. in cognitive science, b.a./b.s. in ecology and evolutionary biology, b.a./b.s. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, b.a./b.s. in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, b.a./b.s. in psychology, b.s. in biomedical engineering, natural sciences (5), b.a. in astronomy, b.a. in chemistry, b.a. in geology and natural resources, b.a. in mathematics and philosophy, b.a. in physics and philosophy, b.a./b.s. in applied mathematics, b.a./b.s. in computer science and mathematics, b.a./b.s. in environmental studies, b.a./b.s. in mathematics, b.a./b.s. in statistics, b.s. in applied physics, b.s. in astronomy and physics, b.s. in astrophysics, b.s. in chemistry, b.s. in geology and geophysics, b.s. in mathematics and physics, b.s. in physics, b.s. in physics and geosciences, social sciences and management (5), b.a. in african american studies, b.a. in african studies, b.a. in american studies, b.a. in east asian studies, b.a. in economics, b.a. in economics and mathematics, b.a. in film studies, b.a. in french, b.a. in german studies, b.a. in global affairs, b.a. in humanities, b.a. in judaic studies, b.a. in latin american studies, b.a. in modern middle east studies, b.a. in political science, b.a. in portuguese, b.a. in religious studies, b.a. in russian and east european studies, b.a. in sociology, b.a. in women's, gender, and sexuality studies, b.a./b.s. in special divisional majors, ba-bs/mph program in public health.

Each year, the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences admits around 450 of the world’s top scholars to its postgraduate programs. Yale’s was the first graduate school in the US to confer a PhD degree, and 85 percent of its students pursue doctoral studies. The school is divided into four divisions – humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, and physical sciences – and administers 73 degree-granting programs, 56 of which are PhDs, while 19 terminate in master’s degrees.

Yale has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its teaching and wide array of academic resources and services. The admission rate for 2017 was 12.7 percent, so competition for places is fierce. 

Applications are submitted online, with the general requirements being a bachelor's degree (or equivalent), a statement of purpose, university transcripts, standardized test results, three letters of recommendation, and an application fee of $105. 

There may also be special admissions requirements for different programs or required supporting materials. International applicants may also be required to present the result of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which can be substituted for the IELTS. 

Tuition for most full-time study programs at the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is currently $41,000. However, no PhD student actually pays any tuition, as it’s either covered by a tuition fellowship from the graduate school, research grants or national and international fellowships. 

One of the reasons why Yale is so popular with graduate students is the support Yale provides to its PhD students, starting with outstanding financial aid. Each doctoral student receives an annual stipend of up to $35,150 to help them meet living expenses. This figure is highly competitive with rival universities, but the considerably lower cost of living in New Haven makes the Yale stipend even more favorable.

Support is a watchword for graduate study at Yale. Not only do graduate students receive generous financial backing, they are also robustly supported in their professional development through the Office of Career Strategy and the Center for Teaching and Learning, the latter of which helps graduate students learn how to be better teachers. However, students at Yale teach significantly less than they might at other institutions. Over the course of six years, no more than 14 percent of a doctoral student’s time is devoted to teaching as part of their training, and for many it is much less.

Arts and Humanities (6)

M.s. in environmental engineering, master of architecture i, master of architecture ii, master of environmental design - specialization in business and the environment, master of environmental design - specialization in ecosystem conservation and management conservation and management, master of environmental design - specialization in energy and the environment conservation and management, master of environmental design - specialization in environmental policy analysis conservation and management, master of environmental design - specialization in human dimensions of environment, master of environmental design - specialization in industrial ecology and green design, master of environmental design - specialization in sustainable land management, use and policy, master of environmental design - specialization in water resource science and management, master of music, master of musical arts, business and management (6), master of advanced management, master of management studies in systemic risk, engineering and technology (6), m.s. in chemical engineering, master of science in computer science, master's degree in mechanical engineering, life sciences and medicine (6), advanced professional master of public health policy track, advanced professional master of public health preventive medicine track, m.s. in biomedical engineering, ma in anthropology, ms in computational biology and bioinformatics, master of forestry, master of public health - health care management, master of public health in epidemiology of microbial diseases, master of public health in health policy, natural sciences (6), m.s. in applied physics, m.s. in astronomy, m.s. in physics, master of environmental management, master of public health in biostatistics, master of public health in environmental health sciences, master's degree in materials science, social sciences and management (6), advanced professional master of public health applied biostatistics and epidemiology track, advanced professional master of public health global health track, advanced professional master of public health occupational and environmental medicine track (non yale fellows), advanced professional master of public health occupational and environmental medicine track (yale oem fellows), advanced professional master of public health social and behavioral sciences track, comprehensive master of arts in religion (m.a.r.), concentrated master of arts in religion (m.a.r.), extended master of arts in religion (m.a.r.), jd/mph - master of public health (mph), joint master of arts in international and development economics/ master of public health, md / advanced professional master of public health, master of advanced study (m.a.s.) in global affairs, master of arts program in african studies, master of divinity (m.div.), master of laws (ll.m.), master of public health, master of public health in chronic disease epidemiology, master of sacred theology (s.t.m.), master of studies in law (m.s.l.), masters degree program in religion and ecology, executive mba, arts and humanities (7), combined ph.d. program in history and ph.d. in renaissance studies, combined ph.d. program in history of science and medicine, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in history, combined ph.d. in classics and ph.d. in history, combined ph.d. in classics and ph.d. in philosophy, combined ph.d. in comparative literature and ph.d. in film studies, combined ph.d. in film and media studies and ph.d. in east asian languages and literatures, combined ph.d. in film and media studies and ph.d. in history of art, combined ph.d. in philosophy and ph.d. in psychology, doctor of musical arts, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) program in german studies/german literature, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) program in medieval studies, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in classics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in east asian languages and literatures, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in english language and literature, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in ethnomusicology, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in history of medicine, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in history of science and medicine, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in italian language and literature, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in music history, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in music theory, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in philosophy, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in russian literature and culture, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in spanish and portuguese, doctor of philosophy in architecture, business and management (7), doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in marketing, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in organizations and management, engineering and technology (7), doctor of philosophy in computer science, life sciences and medicine (7), doctor of medicine (m.d.), doctor of nursing practice (dnp), doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in anthropology, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in biomedical engineering, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in computational biology and bioinformatics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in ecology and evolutionary biology, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in neuroscience, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in psychology, doctor of philosophy in nursing, natural sciences (7), doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in applied mathematics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in applied physics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in astronomy, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in chemistry, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in geology and geophysics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in mathematics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in physics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in statistics and data science, doctor of philosophy in biostatistics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in accounting, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in finance, social sciences and management (7), combined ph.d. program in german studies/ph.d. in film and media studies, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in american studies, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in anthropology, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in english, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in film studies, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in french, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in history of art, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in political science, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in psychology, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in religious studies, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in sociology, combined ph.d. in african american studies and ph.d. in spanish and portuguese, combined ph.d. in film studies and ph.d. in german, combined ph.d. in film studies and ph.d. in slavic languages and literatures, combined ph.d. in film and media studies and ph.d. in american studies, combined ph.d. in film and media studies and ph.d. in english, combined ph.d. in french and ph.d. in film and media studies, combined ph.d. in french and ph.d. in renaissance studies, combined ph.d. in italian and ph.d. in film and media studies, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in american studies, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in economics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in law degree, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in operations, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in political science, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.) in religious studies, doctor of the science of law (j.s.d.), doctoral program in sociology.

Stony Brook, Yale, NYU, CUNY Linguistics Conference

SYNC is an annual linguistics conference that serves as a platform for graduate students from S tony Brook, Y ale, N YU, and C UNY to disseminate research results, exchange ideas, and more broadly, foster a sense of community. The conference allows for graduate students of the four participating universities to present original research to their colleagues in an open and inviting setting. SYNC welcomes talks from theoretical and applied areas of linguistics, showcasing the diverse interests of graduate students in the area.

This year, Yale University will be hosting the 23rd iteration on March 4, 2023 !

Abstracts : See the Call For Papers for abstract submission information

Registration : Register using this Google form

Program is located at this link

Contact : You can get in touch with us by emailing the conference organizers at [email protected]

The adorable happy wug in the background is courtesy of legendary former Yale post-bac Irene Yi!

East Asian Languages and Literatures

Graduate program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to email prospective advisers before   submitting an application to determine whether they are currently accepting new students.

Fields of Study

Fields include the general areas of Chinese literature and Japanese literature. (See also the Combined Ph.D Program in Film and Media Studies .) Although the primary emphasis is on these East Asian subjects, the department welcomes applicants who are seeking to integrate their interests in Chinese or Japanese literature with interdisciplinary studies in such fields as history, history of art, linguistics, religious studies, comparative literature, film studies, literary theory and criticism, and the social sciences. For a profile of this and other programs at the Graduate School, including admissions data, total enrollment, time to degree, and career data, please click here.

Graduate Faculty

Professors: Aaron Gerow,  Tina Lu, Jing Tsu

Associate Professors: Lucas Bender, Michael (Mick) Hunter

Assistant Professors: Kyunghee Eo, Rosa van Hensbergen

Senior Lecturer:  Pauline Lin

Lecturers: James Scanlon-Canegata, Tian Li

Students In residence 20-30; average in entering class 3-4.

Special Admissions Requirements

The department requires entering students in Chinese or Japanese (and the Combined Ph.D Program in Film and Media Studies) to have completed at least three years, or the equivalent, of either Chinese or Japanese. Students applying in Chinese are expected to have completed at least one year of literary Chinese; however, we will consider applications from students who haven’t studied literary Chinese, especially those coming from institutions that do not offer it. Students applying in premodern Japanese are expected to have completed at least one year of literary Japanese. This is a doctoral program; no students are admitted for Masters’ degrees.  Students interested in a Masters’ degree should contact the East Asian Studies Program.

A high degree of proficiency in English is expected for all students, but there is no minimum TOEFL score required for admission.  All students, international as well as US citizens receive similar financial aid packages.

The Graduate Record Examination ( GRE ) is optional for admissions to the program. You may submit GRE General Test results, if you would like. If you choose to submit scores, please follow up with official test results.

In addition to the materials and test scores required by the Graduate School, the department asks all applicants to EALL and the Combined Program to submit a writing sample as part of their application. There is no strict limit on page or word length, but the sample should succinctly represent the scholarship of the applicant, reflecting his or her interests and skills.

To access the application, as well as learn about general Graduate School admissions requirements regarding deadlines, test scores, etc., please go to the GSAS Admissions page.

Prospective applicants should also check the News section of the EALL website for any announcements about admissions.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

During the first three years of study, students are required to take at least fourteen term courses. Usually students complete twelve term courses in years one and two, and then take two tutorials or two seminars in year three. Students concentrating in Chinese or Japanese literature are encouraged to take at least one term course in Western literature or literary theory.  Subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), students may count up to two credits of relevant MA coursework and two credits of language study (beyond their primary research language) toward the 14-credit total.  Students can also petition the DGS to replace a required course credit with an alternative professionalization opportunity. 

By the end of the second year all students must prove their proficiency in a language other than their primary language of study that is relevant to their course of study and is approved by the DGS. By the end of the third year, students specializing in premodern Japanese literature must pass a reading test in literary Chinese. At the end of the second full academic year, students must take a written examination in the language of their specialization, including both its modern and premodern forms.

At the end of each academic year, until students are admitted to candidacy, the faculty will review all students’ progress. For the second year review, students must submit a revised seminar research paper, on a topic selected in consultation with the adviser, no later than April 1 of the fourth term. No later than the end of the sixth term students will take the qualifying oral examination. The exam will cover three fields distinguished by period and/or genre in one or more East Asian national literatures or in other fields closely related to the student’s developing specialization. These fields and accompanying reading lists will be selected by October 1st of the third year in consultation with the examiners and the DGS in order to allow the student to demonstrate knowledge and command of a range of topics. After having successfully passed the qualifying oral examination, students will be required to submit a dissertation prospectus to the department for approval by September 1st of the seventh term in order to complete the process of admission to candidacy for the Ph.D.

Opportunities to obtain experience in teaching language and literature form an important part of this program. Students in East Asian Languages and Literatures normally teach in their third and fourth years.

For additional detailed information see the Calendar of Progress . You may also consult the official EALL policies in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Bulletin .

Combined Ph.D. Program

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures also offers, in conjunction with the Program in Film and Media Studies, a combined Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures and Film Studies. Applicants to the combined program must indicate on their application that they are applying both to Film and Media Studies as well as East Asian Languages and Literatures. All documentation within the application should include this information. For detailed information see Combined Ph.D. Degree Program Between Film and Media Studies and East Asian Languages and Literatures.

Graduate School Policies

Students are reminded that the policies of the Graduate School must be followed.  Any questions regarding these policies should be addressed to your assistant or associate dean.

The link to the Policies webpage is here: http://catalog.yale.edu/gsas/

Director of Graduate Studies

Mick Hunter Humanities Quadrangle rm 114

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 208201 New Haven CT 06520-8201

• Dissertations & Theses
• Collections

Home > Linguistics > Graduate Dissertations > 6

Linguistics Graduate Dissertations

Linguistic Variation from Cognitive Variability: The Case of English 'Have'

Muye Zhang , Yale University Follow

Date of Award

Fall 12-23-2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Linguistics

First Advisor

María Mercedes Piñango

In this dissertation, I seek to construct a model of meaning variation built upon variability in linguistic structure, conceptual structure, and cognitive makeup, and in doing so, exemplify an approach to studying meaning that is both linguistically principled and neuropsychologically grounded. As my test case, I make use of the English lexical item ‘have' by proposing a novel analysis of its meaning based on its well-described variability in English and its embed- ding into crosslinguistically consistent patterns of variation and change. I support this analysis by investigating its real-time comprehension patterns through behavioral, electropsychophysiological, and hemodynamic brain data, thereby incorporating dimensions of domain-general cognitive variability as crucial determinants of linguistic variability. Per my account, ‘have' retrieves a generalized relational meaning which can give rise to a conceptually constrained range of readings, depending on the degree of causality perceived from either linguistic or contextual cues. Results show that comprehenders can make use of both for ‘have'-sentences, though they vary in the degree to which they rely on each. At the very broadest level, the findings support a model in which the semantic distribution of ‘have' is inherently principled due to a unified conceptual structure. This underlying conceptual structure and relevant context cooperate in guiding comprehension by modulating the salience of potential readings, as comprehension unfolds; though, this ability to use relevant context–context-sensitivity–is variable but systematic across comprehenders. These linguistic and cognitive factors together form the core of normal language processing and, with a gradient conceptual framework, the minimal infrastructure for meaning variation and change.

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Muye, "Linguistic Variation from Cognitive Variability: The Case of English 'Have'" (2021). Linguistics Graduate Dissertations . 6. https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ling_graduate/6

Since January 05, 2022

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