Linguistics MA: MA studies in Linguistics (.M.A)
What will you study, and why should you study at Bar-Ilan?
All the MA in Linguistics programs are designed to be completed within two years. Part-time study programs are possible for the MA without thesis (Track B).
The Linguistics Division provides the Linguistics MA students with a solid foundation in both theoretical and applied linguistics. Each student's program is constructed by the individual student and his/her supervisors (in the thesis track). The MA in Linguistics program may include specialization in a combination of two or more areas of linguistics, as well as in other fields such as brain sciences, psychology, or philosophy. Specializations can also involve research in the structure or use of a specific language or languages.
Activities and Practical Experience
For research-oriented students who may want to continue to their PhD.
All Linguistics MA students are initially enrolled to the non-thesis track. Students can request to transfer to the thesis-track, based on their academic achievements during their first year; they must find a faculty member from the department who agrees to supervise their thesis. Please read through our faculty lists and reach out to any possible mentors before applying.
Program Structure
The full requirements for Linguistics MA with Thesis/ Track A students are listed below. You can see more details in here.
Total- 44 Credits | Track A- Thesis |
8 Credits | 2 Graduate-level Seminars |
12 Credits | 3 Graduate-level Pro-Seminars |
| 4 Credits | 1 Theoretical Elective Course |
4 Credits | Mandatory Guided Reading (Course number 378680) |
16 Credits | Thesis |
Linguistics MA students who began their studies before the 2020-1 academic year can request a requirement form for their track and year from the office.
The research proposal must be submitted to the school of graduate studies by the end of third semester (first semester of the second year). The submission dates for the proposal and thesis can be viewed in INBAR, under Degree Terms and Conditions.
Submitting the proposal
- Sending the proposal to the thesis advisor and receiving approval.
- The advisor sends the proposal to a second reader to be reviewed. The second reader sends back a reviewer form.
- If requested by the reviewer, corrections are made to the proposal and sent to the advisor.
- Once the advisor gives final approval the following documents are sent to the dept. office - no later than the official submission date:
- Proposal - final draft
- Proposal of a research plan form - filled out by student and advisor
- Table of corrections to the proposal form (if required) - signed by student and advisor
- Reviewer form - filled out by the second reader
- The documents are sent by the office to the school of graduate studies and a copy of the proposal is also sent to the English Literature and Linguistics library.
- Once the proposal is approved by the school of graduate studies they will send confirmation by email to the student. The email will include the deadline for the thesis paper.
For a summary of the university guidelines for the thesis proposal, see this guide.
Submitting the thesis
Once the thesis is completed and approved by the thesis advisor, the advisor will then set a date for the final oral examination - also called a thesis defense or thesis panel. The defense must be no later than the official submission date. The panel exam committee will give the thesis a grade. The thesis defense forms are sent to the dept. office:
- Form 1 to be filled by the reviewer
- Form 2 to be filled by the advisor
- Form 3 to be filled by the chair of the defense panel
- Form 4 to be filled by the chair of the dept. committee
The forms are submitted by the office to the school of graduate studies for their approval of the grade. After the approval is received the grade is submitted and entered into the student's file.
The office will then send an email with instructions on how to submit the thesis to the library and finalize the degree.
For further information, see this guide.
For Linguistics MA students who want to deepen their understanding of language and language processing.
The full requirements for MA in Linguistics - track B are listed below.
Total- 44 Credits | MA in Linguistics - Track B- Non Thesis |
4 Credits | 1 Theoretical course |
8 Credits | 2 Courses, Seminars or Pro-Seminars in Linguistics |
| 12 Credits | 3 Graduate-level Seminars |
16 Credits | 4 Graduate-level Pro-Seminars |
4 Credits | Mandatory Guided Reading (Course number 378680) |
0 Credits | Mandatory Final Oral Exam |
Students who began their Linguistics MA studies before the 2020-1 academic year can request a requirement form for their track and year from the office.
Career Opportunities
The Linguistics Division provides the Linguistics MA students with a solid foundation in both theoretical and applied linguistics. Each student's program is constructed by the individual student and his/her supervisors (in the thesis track). The MA in Linguistics program may include specialization in a combination of two or more areas of linguistics, as well as in other fields such as brain sciences, psychology, or philosophy. Specializations can also involve research in the structure or use of a specific language or languages.
Admission Requirements
All the MA in Linguistics programs are designed to be completed within two years. Part-time study programs are possible for the MA without thesis (Track B). The following table summarizes the options for an MA in Linguistics in the Department of English Literature and Linguistics:
| Program | Prerequisites for Admission |
|---|---|
Track A: Thesis Track | BA in Linguistics or equivalent with an 88 grade point average or higher |
Track B: Non-Thesis Track | BA in Linguistics or equivalent with an 80 grade point average or higher |
Direct MA | Admission to Direct BA/MA in Linguistics- Please contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information |
| Clinical Research, Track A: Thesis Track | BA in Communication Disorders, Psychology, Brain Science Studies, Special Education, Speech & Language Pathology, Education, or similar fields with an 88 grade point average or higher |
| Clinical Research, Track B: Non-Thesis Track | BA in Communication Disorders, Psychology, Brain Science Studies, Special Education, Speech & Language Pathology, Education, or similar fields with an 85 grade point average or higher |
Important Notice: Before your application can go to the Bar-Ilan University MA committee, it must first be approved by the Department of English Literature and Linguistics. Linguistics MA applicants who register through the university first who are later rejected by the department will not be refunded the initial registration fee. As such, please be sure to contact us first before applying through the university's general online system.
Applications for all Linguistics MA Programs should include the following:
- Up-to-date CV
- Scanned formal transcripts of prior studies (all of them), including all the course names, instructors and grades
- Scanned diploma(s)
Please follow the following steps to apply to the Linguistics MA program:
- Step One: Applications for Linguistics Thesis and Non-thesis tracks should be sent via e-mail to the Linguistics Graduate Coordinator, Prof. Lior Laks, with a copy to the Graduate Registrar, Judie Liri. Be sure to include in your email which Linguistics MA track you are applying for, as well as the documents listed above.
For those applying to the Linguistics MA in Clinical Research tracks, please send your application to Prof. Natalia Meir, with a copy to the Graduate Registrar, Judie Liri. Be sure to include in your email which Linguistics MA track you are applying for, as well as the documents listed above.
- Step Two: Should you receive a notice from the Department of English Literature and Linguistics recommending your acceptance (via email from Prof. Laks or Prof. Meir), you must then apply though the university's general online system.
NOTE : Under the section called "Maslul Limudim" be sure to fill in the appropriate Linguistics MA track- this is the track that you were accepted to via email by Prof. Lior Laks or Prof. Natalia Meir.
Registration for the 2025-6 Academic year begins: February 2, 2025
Contact Information
Graduate Coordinator: Prof. Lior Laks (Lior.Laks@biu.ac.il)
General university guidelines for MA in Linguistics are available in this file and on the graduate school website.
Program Courses
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Last Updated Date : 07/12/2025
