博士学位通常在语音，语音，形态，句法，语义，历史语言学，非洲语言学，计算语言学，应用语言学（包括第二语言习得）和社会语言学等领域追求。在该部门的批准下，还可以进行其他集中学习，包括与认知科学相结合的学位。至少90学分，包括论文。具体要求包括A501，L653-L654，每门语音，语音，语法和历史语言学的研究生课程，以及至少两门600-700级别的语言学课程。在适当的情况下，学生的咨询委员会可以分配其他课程。
Since our Linguistics department has a long history of research and teaching of languages from all over the continent of Africa, we offer a doctoral concentration specifically to support students who are developing expertise in linguistic inquiry into the languages of Africa. The program, though similar to the general Ph.D. program, requires engagement in offerings specifically targeting African linguistics, and is administered by our faculty who are leaders in the study of the languages of Africa.