205
Graduate Programs
205.38
Linguistics
205.38 Linguistics
Department of Linguistics
4-32 Assiniboia Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E7
E-mail: linggrad@ualberta.ca
205.38.1 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
The Department's minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an average of 3.3 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution.
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 of qualifying studies before being admitted to the degree program.
Candidates for the PhD must normally hold the equivalent of the MSc in Linguistics at the University of Alberta..
English Language Proficiency: The minimum acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based); on the Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) it is 85. The minimum acceptable score on the IELTS is an overall band score of 6.5, with a score of at least 5 on each test band. The minimum acceptable score on the CAEL is no less than 60 with at least 60 on each subtest. Applicants should arrange for their English language test results to be sent directly to the department.
The GRE General Test is recommended for all applicants from North America and other areas where the test is available.
General Academic Standing Requirements
The Department of Linguistics requires a higher minimum cumulative grade point average and higher grades than those acceptable to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (see §§203.8.2 and 203.8.3). The minimum acceptable passing grade in any course taken by students registered in the master’s and doctoral programs in Linguistics is a grade of B-. Grades below a B- count as failing grades for graduate students in Linguistics. All students pursuing graduate degrees in Linguistics 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
Graduate assistantships are normally available for a limited time for students in full-time study who make satisfactory progress toward a degree and are deemed by the Department to be in good academic standing (see §203.8.3 and the preceding paragraph). Students will be expected to apply for competitive awards. Exceptionally qualified applicants may be nominated for recruitment or other awards administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Information is available at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca. Support for dissertation research is available on a competitive basis through internally administered research grants.
205.38.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Two routes to the MSc are available: a thesis-based and a course-based route.
Requirements for the thesis-based MSc include a minimum of 
21 including two required courses (LING 601 and 602) plus a thesis. Course options, including additional courses deemed necessary for the student’s area of specialization, will be chosen in consultation with the graduate coordinator and the student's supervisor(s). The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta
Requirements for the course-based MSc consist of a minimum of 27 including two required courses LING 601 and 602, and a directed research project LING 900. Course options, including additional courses deemed necessary for the student’s area of specialization, will be chosen in consultation with the graduate coordinator and the student's supervisor(s). The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Students should demonstrate knowledge of a language other than English.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MSc will vary according to the applicant's previous training and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of three terms should be expected. The maximum time to completion of a course-based MSc is four years (eight terms) of full-time study.
205.38.3 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
Requirements for the PhD include a minimum of 24 including 6 for the two preparation courses required for Doctoral Candidacy LING 693 and 694, plus a thesis. Specific courses, including courses deemed necessary for the student’s area of specialization, will be chosen in consultation with the graduate coordinator and the student's supervisor(s). Students admitted to the PhD without an MSc in Linguistics or its equivalent may be required to take additional courses. The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Students should demonstrate knowledge of a language other than English.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the PhD will vary with the individual candidate; however, a minimum of three years should be expected.
205.38.4 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Linguistics (LING).
