Linguistics is the study of human language: its structure, use in communication, and role in our psychology. The field has evolved dramatically over the last 30 years and UMass Amherst faculty members are at the forefront of that change. The study of linguistics theory is grounded in both mathematics and qualitative research. At the graduate level, candidates explore questions around syntax, semantics, phonology, phonetics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition, morphology, computational linguistics, and more. A degree in linguistics prepares the graduate for a career in academia, but can also be an invaluable asset in any career demanding research skills, theoretical and observational powers, and knowledge of various techniques of analysis.