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Graduate Program in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics Faculty of Graduate Studies
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Degree Requirements

MA and PhD academic requirements for our graduate program can be found at Faculty of Graduate Studies—Program Requirements.

Master of Arts (MA)

There are three options available for MA degree completion. The options cannot be combined:

  1. Coursework (available only to students in the Applied Linguistics field)
  2. Major Research Paper (available only to students in the Linguistics field)
  3. Thesis (available only to students in the Linguistics field)

This is the route available for students in the Applied Linguistics field and is not available to students in the Linguistics field.

Students are required to successfully complete the following:

Courses

  • Eight one-semester courses chosen from those offered by the MA program in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and in accordance with the requirements for the Applied Linguistics field.
  • Applied Linguistics field students are required to enroll in LAL 6500 3.0: Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
  • Courses are normally completed within three consecutive terms.
CoursesPaperMinimum Time to Completion
– 8 half courses
– Only available to Applied Linguistics field students
– Requirement for all Applied Linguistics field students: LAL 6500 3.0		– No paper required– 3 terms

Candidates in the Linguistics field may choose to do an MA Degree by Major Research Paper. Students are required to successfully complete the following:

Courses

  • Six one-semester courses chosen from those offered by the MA program in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and in accordance with the requirements for the Linguistics field.

Major Research Paper (MRP)

  • A research paper/project on a topic that demonstrates the student’s ability to do original research. The topic must be approved by the supervisor of her/his research paper/project.
  • The major research paper or the report of a major research project will be shorter (average length 50-75 pages) than a thesis and will deal with a more restricted subject.
  • Such papers will require that a candidate demonstrate: a thorough understanding of the topic, the ability to work independently, and a degree of originality.
  • MRPs can be based on empirical research, a critical review of literature relevant to a subject area, or a combination of the two.
CoursesPaperMinimum Time to Completion
– 6 half courses
– Only available to Linguistics field students		 – Average Length: 50-75 pages
– Evaluated by the supervisor and one other faculty member		– 3 terms

Candidates in the Linguistics field may choose to do an MA Degree by Thesis. Students are required to successfully complete the following:

Courses

  • Four one-semester courses chosen from those offered by the MA program in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and in accordance with the requirements for the linguistics field.

Thesis

  • A thesis on an approved topic that 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 thesis will be evaluated according to the procedure for the evaluation of theses as outlined in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar and will include an oral examination, centered on the thesis, and matters related to it.
  • The average length is 150 pages
  • Selection of the thesis option automatically means that it will take longer than the minimum time of 3 terms (Fall, Winter, Summer) to complete the program.
CoursesPaperMinimum Time to Completion
– 4 half courses
– Only available to Linguistics field students		– Average Length: 150 pages
– Oral examination centered on thesis and matters related to it		– Selection of the Thesis option automatically means that it will take longer than the minimum time of 3 terms (Fall, Winter, Summer) to complete the program.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  • Six three-credit courses, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Director and the student’s academic advisor.
  • Students must take at least one course designated as being outside of their field of concentration.
  • The qualifying examination ensures that students have sufficient grounding in their area of concentration as well as in the field more generally before they proceed to doctoral research.
  • Once students have completed their coursework, they will have three terms of study to prepare for the qualifying exam which is written in May of the student’s second year. A Qualifying Examination Committee is set up to advise the student through the process.
  • Average length: 20 pages.
  • It is expected that the dissertation proposal will be submitted in 1 term following the successful completion of the Qualifying examination.
  • Average length: 250 pages (in consultation with the supervisor).
  • Evaluated by a doctoral committee and an oral examination.
  • The dissertation reflects original research that contributes to the existing literature.

Learn More

The Graduate Program in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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