Modern Languages and Cultural Studies [Graduate]

Entrance Requirements

The Department’s minimum admission requirement for the MA program is a four-year undergraduate degree in a related field or the equivalent with a grade point average of at least 3.3 in the last ★60 of undergraduate work at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. The requirement for the PhD program is an MA degree or the equivalent, related to the area of specialization with a grade point average of at least 3.3. Admitted MA students with a four-year undergraduate degree or the equivalent may be transferred to the PhD program on the recommendation of the department. Graduate students entering a degree program in MLCS are required to have at least one language other than English. Where applicable, a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based), an IELTS score of 7.0, or other acceptable English language proficiency test is required.

The application deadline is January 15 for programs beginning the following September.

For information on how to apply see: www.mlcs.ualberta.ca

General Academic Standing Requirements

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies requires a higher minimum cumulative grade point average and higher passing grades than those acceptable to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (see minimum faculty requirements  and failure in or failure to complete a course or research work ). The minimum passing grade in any course taken by students registered in the master’s and doctoral programs in MLCS is a grade of B-. Grades below a B- count as failing grades for graduate students in MLCS. All students pursuing graduate degrees in MLCS must also maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the course of the program. A student whose academic standing falls below a grade point average of 3.0 may be required to withdraw at any time.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance in the form of scholarships and graduate assistantships may be available to qualified students. For further information, consult www.mlcs.ualberta.ca.

Specialization in Applied Linguistics

This specialization involves research in one of the following areas: second language acquisition and pedagogy, discourse studies, sociolinguistics, and multilingualism.

Specialization in Media and Cultural Studies

This specialization involves the analysis of different media using theories of cultural studies. Areas of emphasis include: folklore studies, gender and sexuality studies, native studies, popular culture, game and design studies, and urban studies.

Specialization in Translation Studies

This specialization involves research in one or more of the following: cultural translation, history of translation, literary translation, multilingual translation, translation theory and criticism.

Specialization in Transnational and Comparative Literatures

This specialization involves the study of global literature, criticism, theory, and their intersections with language, art, and culture, either within a single language or across languages.