The Master’s degree in Linguistics aims to train graduates at Master’s level with solid theoretical and methodological skills in linguistics, in both its general and applied aspects.

Graduates in Linguistics will be expected to:

- be able to analyse theories and methods of investigation for the scientific study of language in all its manifestations, in relation to the Italian language and the main European languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Russian), as well as the classical languages, based on a solid theoretical and methodological background, which will also be useful for further studies (PhD or 2nd level Professional Master’s programmes);
- know the stages of learning in relation to foreign languages and Italian as a second language, and be able to recognise the linguistic and cognitive profile of bilingual learners and/or those affected by language and learning disorders, having acquired skills useful for the implementation of an inclusive teaching approach;
- have acquired theoretical knowledge and linguistics-related teaching skills in order to be eligible to apply for specific courses to become a teacher of Italian as a second language, or other foreign languages;
- know and be able to use models of statistical and information analysis for the processing and quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis of linguistic databases and experimental psycholinguistic data;
- know and be able to apply theoretical frameworks and advanced linguistic investigation methods/tools to the processing and analysis of technical texts, which are also useful for editing and proofreading texts in the publishing field;
- know and be able to apply theoretical frameworks and advanced linguistic investigation methods/tools to philological analysis and the interpretation and commentary of ancient texts;
- know and be able to apply psychological, IT-related and philosophical skills to various fields, from education to research in psycholinguistics and multimedia communications.

In order to achieve these learning outcomes, the programme includes the study of language sciences and a wide range of philological disciplines, as well as psychological, philosophical and statistical-computational subject areas.

The international focus of the programme, which is taught entirely in English and the relevant languages of the student's choice (French, Spanish, German, Russian and Italian), is further enhanced by modules and seminars/workshops in theoretical and experimental psycholinguistics taught or led by international guest lecturers.

The programme is organised in a single curriculum. However, in addition to the core modules of theoretical and methodological linguistics, students may take additional modules of a linguistic and philological nature to explore specific domains including Germanic, Slavic and Romance.

Specifically, the first year of the programme includes three modules in theoretical linguistics that provide a solid background at the various levels of language analysis (phonetics/phonology, morphosyntax, semantics and pragmatics) and a module in teaching and historical linguistics, organised into two sections and dealing with the processes of learning and teaching foreign languages, with a focus on Italian as a foreign language (L2).

The first year also includes a linguistics module of the student’s choice (English, German, French, Spanish or Russian), a module in a philological discipline of the student’s choice (Romance, Germanic, Slavic), and a module to be chosen between computer science and statistics, both of which focus on methods, data and tools of psycholinguistic analysis.

In the second year, the programme includes a module in historical linguistics focusing on the dimensions of linguistic and crosslinguistic diachronic change, and in terms of contact between languages, presented with examples of ancient and modern languages; a linguistics module of the student’s choice (this must be different to that of the first year); finally, depending on the student’s choice, a module in cognitive science or philosophy of science.

The programme includes, alongside traditional lectures, seminars and workshops, experimental linguistics workshops (focusing on language acquisition processes, bilingualism, atypical language development and language disorders) and internships at institutions or organisations involved in the programme, or other affiliated companies and organisations.

Language Sciences Researchers or Experts

Professionals in this field are expected to be able to:

1. conduct, manage and take part in research activities, and in particular: carrying out bibliographic analyses; conducting field surveys; designing and writing research projects; writing research reports and articles for the scientific community and the general public; presenting and disseminating research findings in front of an audience.
2. work as lecturers and language experts in Italian and foreign universities; coordinate and take part in the organisation of programmes for educational and cultural events.

Graduate’s skills:

1a. know, assess and choose linguistic, psychological-cognitive and teaching-related theoretical frameworks suitable to research projects and activities carried out at the national and international level; to know, choose and be able to apply methods and techniques of textual investigation in the main European foreign languages; to know, choose and use computer tools and apply the methods of statistical analysis for linguistic and psycholinguistic research.

1b. be able to design and critically analyse pieces of research and projects in the field of language sciences; to be able to communicate correctly and effectively in managing or coordinating research groups;

2a. evaluate and choose theoretical frameworks and application tools of language teaching, also in the context of bi- and multilingualism;

2b. assess and put into practice the organisational and management strategies for the coordination of events of an educational and cultural nature, drawing on their literary, cultural and psycho-linguistic background;

More advanced language analysis, management and coordination skills can be achieved through further studies, in particular within the framework of PhDs and 2^nd level Professional Master's programmes.

Career prospects: public and private research centres, universities, Italian and foreign cultural institutes.

Technical Text Consultants

Professionals in this field will be expected to be able to:
1. Offer advice on drafting texts and, in particular, provide lexicological, textual and stylistic information for drafting a wide range of technical texts: compiling lexicographic tools; drafting materials in the field of language teaching; drafting critical editions with linguistic comments; choosing the most effective communication tools for drafting texts in the field of communication, including multimedia.

Graduate’s skills:

1a. assess and choose theoretical and historical-descriptive frameworks of linguistics, in synchrony and diachrony; be able to indicate the correct lexical and textual choices, computer tools (software) and semiological analysis, appropriate teaching tools and methods;

1b. be able to indicate the most appropriate linguistic choices when drafting multilingual texts of an administrative, informative and cultural nature;

2a. know and be able to use the models of multimedia communication and the fundamental concepts of general psychology and cognitive science;

2b. know and be able to assess the stages of language learning in both typical and atypical contexts (e.g. language and learning disorders, or bi-/multilingualism) and be able to apply the theoretical-methodological principles of inclusive language teaching to the drafting of teaching materials.

Career prospects: publishing houses and educational institutions in a multilingual context, public and private facilities, library facilities and archives, advertising agencies, insurance agencies.

Proofreading Consultants

Professionals in this field will be expected to be able to:

1. offer advice on revising texts in Italian and the main European languages; specifically, to refine and improve the stylistic rendering of a wide range of texts, from technical to literary texts to linguistic-philological commentaries;
2. provide consultancy within international organisations and institutes that deal with contacts, in the broadest sense, between different languages and cultures (from politics to economics, the tourist industry and the reception of foreigners) for the improvement and adaptation of informative, administrative and language teaching texts.

Graduate’s skills:

1a. know and apply meta-linguistic analyses to Italian and the main languages of Europe in the textual dimension, both ancient and contemporary;

1b. know and put into practice linguistic-literary and philological concepts for the revision of linguistic comments;

2a. know and be able to indicate the appropriate lexical and textual choices, as well as knowing and being able to implement computer tools (softwares) and semiological analysis for the revision of technical texts in the publishing and communication sector; know and be able to apply the most appropriate teaching tools and methods in multilingual contexts; be proficient in at least two of the main languages of the European Union;

2b. be able to indicate the best linguistic choices, in terms of vocabulary, text and stylistic register, for the revision of multilingual technical texts, such as information materials and texts for the teaching of foreign languages.

Career prospects: language industry, Italian and foreign universities, public and private Italian and foreign institutions and organisations, publishing houses, communication and advertising companies.

Linguists and philologists

Professionals in this field will be expected to be able to:

1. conduct and design linguistic research lines in all areas relevant to the programme of study; analyse and read textual data in synchrony and diachrony; translate and interpret ancient and modern texts; draft philological commentaries; draft language-related texts for the scientific community and the general public alike;
2. teach Italian in Italian cultural institutes in Italy and abroad, and in private educational institutions; teach foreign languages in private institutions, in Italy and abroad. Graduates who have acquired sufficient credits in specific fields of study are eligible to take the admission test to enroll in teacher training courses to become secondary school teachers in Italy, as established by current legislation. If a Master's graduate does not have 24 CFU (credits) in the areas of anthropology, psycho-pedagogy and teaching methods, they can take specific courses to make up the credits required for admission to the teacher training course.

Graduate’s skills:

1a. evaluate and choose linguistic criteria and parameters for innovative research projects in the language sciences; be able to critically analyse linguistic and textual data in a synchronic and diachronic perspective;

1b. be able to communicate research results effectively;

2a. know and be able to evaluate the stages of typical and atypical language learning; know how to put into practice specific teaching tools for the teaching of Italian as a second language, and in a perspective of inclusive teaching;

2b. know and apply metalinguistic analyses to the main European languages; know, choose and be able to apply theoretical frameworks, methods and tools for teaching foreign languages, according to up-to-date standards.