General Information
The Department of Linguistics offers graduate programs in linguistics leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.
The Department supports research in experimental phonetics and phonology; psycholinguistics; quantitative linguistics; corpus linguistics; cognitive linguistics; language acquisition and bilingualism; field linguistics and language documentation; typology and language variation.
Entrance Requirements
For the MSc program, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
For the PhD program, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are a Masters in Linguistics with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Candidates for the MSc must have completed, to the satisfaction of the Department, certain core courses in linguistics, or their equivalents. Candidates who lack this preparation may be required to undertake a year as a Qualifying Graduate Student .
All applicants are also required to submit:
- Official copies of all transcripts for all previous postsecondary schooling showing marks obtained (submitted in the original language, accompanied by a certified English translation)
- Curriculum Vitae (use the form provided as part of the on-line application);
- three letters of reference;
- statement of research interests;
- a sample of academic writing (a short report or paper).
Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:
- A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based) or equivalent;
- A minimum IELTS overall band score of 6.5, with a score of at least 6.0 on each test band;
- A minimum CAEL score of 70 with at least 60 on each subtest.
Academic Standing Requirements
Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the course of the program, with no grade less than B-. Failure to maintain the required academic standing will normally result in a recommendation by the Graduate Coordinator to FGSR that the student be placed on academic probation or required to withdraw.