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2024-2025 Academic Calendar | York University Faculty of Graduate Studies

Linguistics & Applied Linguistics

Posted on 17 August 2022

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LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
South 580 Ross Buildingredge@yorku.cayorku.ca/gradstudies/lal/

This one-year program offers an MA in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, in which students opt for a program predominantly in the linguistics field or predominantly in the applied linguistics field.

The linguistics field centres on two interrelated areas, sociolinguistics and language contact:

  • Sociolinguistics and language contact are linked through the study of language variation and change, particularly the role of social groups in initiating and propagating changes.
  • Language contact and sociolinguistics also share an interest in the social and political relationships between groups from different linguistic backgrounds and in the manipulation of language to signal social relationships, identities and attitudes.

The applied linguistics field covers topics related primarily to second/additional and foreign language education:

  • These areas are broadly defined to include language pedagogy, technology-mediated language teaching/learning, second language acquisition, bilingualism, issues of culture and identity, literacy and multiliteracies, applied sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, communicative competence, language policy and planning, and language contact studies.
  • While the main focus is on issues surrounding the teaching of English as a foreign/second language, the program also welcomes those with an interest in teaching an additional language.

Students enroll in one of these two fields. Students may enroll for full-time or part-time study. Full-time students can complete the MA after one calendar year’s study (three terms), but special provision for additional time may be made for admissible students who lack some of the prerequisite courses.

The objectives of the PhD program are to educate candidates in linguistics and applied linguistics. The program approaches the study of language from a variety of perspectives, with a primary focus on language in its social context. Students may concentrate their research in any number of areas, ranging from core linguistics (phonetics/phonology and syntax), through sociolinguistics (discourse analysis, language contact, language variation and change, and language and law), to applied linguistics (language policy and planning, issues of culture and identity, and language pedagogy). The
different approaches of faculty members’ interests provide students with the opportunity to conduct research that bridges fields within the program.

Application Procedure

Completed application forms, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and other required documentation are reviewed by faculty members, and admissions are made on a competitive basis.

Admission Requirements

MA

PhD

Linguistics FieldApplied Field
A four-year BA degree (120 university credits) in linguistics or equivalent with a minimum of a B+ average in the last two years of
study and
1) sufficient background in historical linguistics or sociolinguistics;
2) an acceptable upper year 3.0 credit course in syntax; and
3) an acceptable upper year 3.0 credit course in phonology.
OR,
An honours degree (i.e., a four-year degree) with a minimum of a B+ average in the last two years of study in another subject with some courses in linguistics. Normally, students applying in this category are required to complete additional courses as specified by the program, and take two years to complete their degree. 		A four-year BA degree (120 university credits) with a minimum of a B+ average in the last two years of study in an appropriate field.
OR
A three-year BA degree (90 university credits) with a minimum of B+ average in the last year in an appropriate field
PLUS
A university or college-administered certificate in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/Teaching English as a Second Language with a minimum of B+ average that conforms to Teachers of English as a Second Language Ontario standards. The three-year degree and certificate combined will be considered equivalent to a four-year degree.

All Applied Linguistics candidates are expected to have a minimum of two years of language teaching experience or equivalent (as assessed by the Admissions Committee).

Applicants to either field whose first language is not English must produce proof of a Test of English as a Foreign Language score of 600 or higher (on the old paper scale) or 250 or higher on the computer scale, or 100 or higher on the internet-based scale, or 7.5 on the International English Language Testing System, or the equivalent on the York English Language Test.

Applicants to either field with exceptional qualifications who do not meet the normal minimal requirements may submit their application for consideration by the Admissions Committee.

Overview

The program trains and educates candidates in linguistics in a way that prepares them for careers in teaching, research, government and the private sector.

The two structural fields for the program are linguistics and applied linguistics. Both these fields are broadly defined. Theoretical linguistics usually includes phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, language acquisition, and historical linguistics. Applied linguistics is often defined as the study of second language pedagogy, second language learning strategies, second language acquisition, and language assessment, as well as discourse analysis and language policy issues. Sociolinguistics, the study of links between language and society, and an area where our program has particular strengths, helps to bridge the fields of linguistics and applied linguistics.

While linguistics and applied linguistics are the structural columns of the proposed program, the program encourages interaction and crossfertilization between areas of interest represented within the program. This is a program in linguistics and applied linguistics, not linguistics or applied linguistics.

Admission Requirements

Graduates with a master’s degree in linguistics (or equivalent) with a minimum B+ average may be admitted as candidates (PhD I) for the PhD degree.

Degree Requirements

MA

PhD

MA

Each student is required to have a graduate advisor who approves the student’s program and monitors progress. Advisors are determined after the student has been accepted to the program.

Candidates in the applied field complete the MA degree by coursework.

Candidates in the linguistics field may choose to do either an MA degree by research paper/project or by thesis.

Applied field students are required to successfully complete the following:

Courses

Eight 3.0 credit courses chosen from those offered by the Graduate Program in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, in accordance with the requirements for the applied field.

Required Courses

For the applied field, students must successfully complete the following course:
Linguistics & Applied Linguistics 6500 3.0: Research Seminar in Applied Linguistics. Presentation and investigation of selected topics within the field of second language. The seminar provides a forum for the discussion and development of students’ own research.

Candidates in the linguistics field may choose to do either an MA degree by research paper/project or by thesis.

Students are required to successfully complete the following:

Courses

Six 3.0 credit courses chosen from those offered by the Graduate Program in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, in accordance with the requirements for the linguistics field.

Major Research Paper

A research paper on a topic which demonstrates the student’s ability to do original research. The topic must be approved by the supervisor of her/his research paper.

The major research paper of a major research project is shorter (average length 50-75 pages) than a thesis (average length 150 pages) and deals with a more restricted subject. Such papers require that a candidate demonstrate: a thorough understanding of the topic; the ability to work independently; and a degree of originality. Major research papers can be based on empirical research, a critical review of literature relevant to a subject area, or a combination of the two. Normally, the advisor and one other professor in the program determine the final grade.

Courses

Four 3.0 credit courses chosen from those offered by the Graduate Program in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, in accordance with the requirements for the linguistics field.

Thesis

A thesis on an approved topic which demonstrates the student’s ability to do original research. The proposal must be approved by the candidate’s thesis supervisor and members of her/his thesis committee and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The graduate program accepts theses in monograph format and is evaluated according to the procedure for the evaluation of theses as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, including an oral examination, centred on the thesis and matters related to it.

Note: Selection of the thesis option automatically means that it will take more than the normal year (fall/winter terms, plus summer term) to complete the program.

The MA program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall term.

The expected degree completion time for full-time master’s students is 3 terms. For those students who complete degree requirements earlier than 3 terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of 3 terms of full-time study. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 12 terms (4 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time master’s student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

PhD

The PhD program is structured on a four-year model, as follows: first year: six 3.0 credit courses; second year: qualifying examination and dissertation proposal; third year: doctoral research; fourth year: doctoral research and dissertation completion.

PhD candidates must successfully complete the following:

Six 3.0 credit courses, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Director and the student’s academic advisor. Students must take at least one 3.0 credit course outside of their area of concentration.

A qualifying comprehensive examination to ensure that the student has sufficient grounding in their area of concentration before they proceed to doctoral research.

A dissertation proposal with an average length of 20 pages.

The graduate program accepts dissertations in monograph format. An acceptable dissertation with an average length of 250 pages. The dissertation is evaluated by a doctoral committee and includes an oral examination.

The PhD program can be completed on a full-time basis. Entry is fall term.

The PhD program in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics is not normally offered on a part-time basis.

Normal degree completion time for full-time PhD students is 12 terms (4 years). Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.