Language Science
Ph.D. Department of Language Science · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Ph.D. program in Language Science provides interdisciplinary training across a broad range of topics relating to the scientific study of language that spans fields such as linguistics, cognitive science, psychology, computer science, philosophy, logic, neuroscience, speech, hearing, education, and engineering.
This integrative approach to the science of language explores interfaces between traditional frameworks, fostering a more complete understanding of the human communication system. Emphasis is placed on modern techniques of theory construction and empirical investigation, and students are prepared for research and teaching careers in academia, industry, and government. Special attention is given to providing hands-on research experience and equipping students with sophisticated quantitative methods and technical communication skills.
Admission
While undergraduate training in linguistics is desirable, applications are also welcomed from students with backgrounds in other areas, including cognitive science, psychology, computer science, neuroscience, logic, philosophy, mathematics, engineering, hearing, speech, language studies, education, and anthropology. Decisions on admissions are based on official transcripts of all college coursework, a statement of purpose, at least three letters of recommendation, and at least one sample of technical writing. Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration. Information about this requirement is available here.
Requirements
Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Complete: | ||
| LSCI 202A & LSCI 202B & LSCI 202C & LSCI 202D & LSCI 202E & LSCI 202F | Skills for Language Science Iand Skills for Language Science IIand Skills for Language Science IIIand Advanced Skills for Language Science and Advanced Skills for Language Science IIand Advanced Skills for Language Science III | |
| B. Complete five content-focused courses. Eligible courses include, but are not limited to, the following: | ||
| LSCI 206C | Computational Models of Language Learning | |
| LSCI 209 | Special Topics in Computational Linguistics | |
| LSCI 239 | Special Topics in Morphology | |
| LSCI 250 | Psycholinguistics | |
| LSCI 250B | Bilingualism | |
| LSCI 250H | Heritage Language Acquistion | |
| LSCI 251 | Language Acquisition | |
| LSCI 251A | Atypical Acquisition | |
| LSCI 259 | Special Topics in Psycholinguistics | |
| LSCI 265L | Language Change, Acquisition, and Complexity | |
| LSCI 281L | Language Learning with Digital Media | |
| LSCI 281S | Second Language Acquisition and Teaching | |
| C. Complete three methods-focused courses. Other courses currently considered Language Science methods-focused courses that are taught in other departments are available at the Language Science graduate website. | ||
| LSCI 248M | Modal Logic | |
| LSCI 253M | Experimental Methods for Language Research | |
| D. Complete: | ||
| LSCI 201A & LSCI 201B & LSCI 201C | Topics in Language Science Researchand Topics in Language Science Research and Topics in Language Science Research | |
| E. Complete the foreign language requirement. | ||
Students must complete 12 courses distributed as follows: five content-focused courses (including theoretical, psycholinguistic, computational, or neurolinguistic areas), three methods courses (including computational, corpus, experimental, neuroscience, or logical methods), and the four course Language Science technical and professional skills sequence. (LSCI 202A-D).
Students must also attend Language Science seminars (LSCI 201A-B-C) and fulfill the Ph.D. program’s foreign language requirement.
All requirements for the Ph.D. must be fulfilled within three years after advancement to candidacy. The normative time for advancement to candidacy is three and a half years. The normative time for completion is five years, and the maximum time permitted is six years.
Master's Degree
Although the Department does not have a terminal Master’s program, students may earn an optional Master’s degree as part of the Ph.D. program.
Original Research Document
Students are required to complete an original research document of at least conference abstract quality by the end of their first year (third quarter).
Qualifying Examination
Students are required to complete a written examination with an oral defense administered by a committee of three faculty members by the end of their second year (sixth quarter).
Qualifying Research Talk and Paper
Students are required to submit and orally present a research paper of publishable quality by the winter of their third year (eighth quarter).
Advancement (CADA)
In lieu of a formal admission to candidacy examination, students are required to complete a conceptual analysis of the dissertation area (CADA) document by the spring of their third year (ninth quarter), defend orally to a committee of five faculty members by the winter of their fourth year (11th quarter).
The CADA provides the opportunity for the student to develop a perspective on a body of literature relevant to the dissertation research. This perspective may include discussion of research conducted by the student and potential future research as it relates to the larger body of literature. A written document describing the student's CADA must be submitted to the committee prior to advancement. Students are required to advance to candidacy by the end of the winter quarter of their fourth year in the program.
Dissertation
Students must submit a dissertation describing original publishable research and present a public defense of the dissertation to a committee of three faculty members as the final requirement of the Ph.D. program.