Linguistics
Master of Arts (MA)
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Program overview
The Linguistics graduate program offered by the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures trains researchers in the core areas of theoretical linguistics—such as syntax, semantics, phonology, phonetics and morphology—as well as in language acquisition, historical linguistics, and psycholinguistics. Students take six courses and are expected to complete an MA thesis based on their original research within two years. Students benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio that ensures personalized attention to each student's academic needs and research goals. Students are guaranteed funding for $20,000/year for two years, and our MA graduates regularly place in top PhD programs around the world.
Outcomes and next steps
Linguistics MA graduates also have the skills to pursue a variety of non-academic career paths. Students interested in the computational side of linguistics may work on speech recognition, speech synthesis, artificial intelligence, natural language processing or computer-mediated language learning. Students interested in language education may teach English as a Second language or develop educational materials, train language teachers, or work on assessment methods for more effectively teaching language. Linguists may also work in translation or interpretation. Field linguists work on the preservation of endangered languages by conducting fieldwork, documenting a language, or establishing literacy programs for endangered language communities. Linguists also work in speech-language pathology, audiology, publishing, law, national security, medicine, editing, market research, and the film industry.
A master’s degree in linguistics will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD in linguistics.
Degree at a glance
Completion requirements
Thesis-based
Courses
Four core courses and two electives
Program requirements
Class delivery
Classroom
Commitment
Two years full-time; four years maximum; part-time available
Supervisor
A supervisor is required; potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program
Fees and funding
Flat annual fee; funding guaranteed for 2 years for MA students
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Supervisors
A supervisor is required for this program. Students are required to identify potential supervisors when applying to the program.
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Amanda Pounder
- morphological theory, historical linguistics
accepting inquires
Darin Flynn
- Phonology
- Canadian Indigenous languages
accepting inquires
Dennis Ryan Storoshenko
- Syntax
- Experimental Syntax/Semantics
- Corpus Linguistics
accepting inquires
Dimitrios Skordos
- First Language Acquisition - Semantics/Pragmatics
seeking students
Elizabeth Ritter
- Syntax, Morpho-syntax, Hebrew, Blackfoot
accepting inquires
Mary Grantham O'Brien
- German
- second language acquisition and learning
- pronunciation
- speech perception
- speech production
- prosody
accepting inquires
Additional supervisors may be available. Contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies for more information.

Completion requirements
Core Courses
An introductory course, a thesis research course, Advanced Syntactical Analysis and Advanced Phonological Analysis.
Language
Knowledge of a language other than English demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Additional Courses
Topics may include semantics, morphology, language acquisition, historical linguistics, quantitative modelling and others.
Thesis
Students will be required to submit and defend an original thesis.

Admission requirements and information
Requirements for the Linguistics Program
GPA
A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.Minimum education
Significant undergraduate training in linguistics, normally including at least one course in syntax and one course in phonology.Work samples
<p>A sample of previous work in linguistics or a related field (e.g., an Honours undergraduate thesis, or a course paper).</p>Documents
- A statement of purpose specifying the applicant’s research interests and reasons for wishing to pursue a Master of Arts degree at the University of Calgary
Reference letter
ThreeTest scores
NoneEnglish language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL score of 86 (Internet-based) and a minimum of 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE) or 560 (paper-based). Our institution code is 081
- IELTS score of 6.5 (Academic version)
- MELAB score of 80, or higher
- PTE score of 59, or higher (Academic version)
- Tier 3 of the International Foundations Program with minimum grades of B,C,C (Writing & Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency)
Deadlines
For admission on September 1
Canadian and permanent residentJan. 15 Application deadline
InternationalJan. 15 Application deadline
If you’re not a Canadian or permanent resident make sure to read and learn about international specific requirements

Tuition fees and funding
All graduate students must pay general fees each year, as well as program fees.
Fees
Estimate for full-time students
Canadian and
permanent resident
International
student
General fees
12 months of study
$1,830 CAD
$1,830 CAD
Program fees
First 12 months of study
$5,593 CAD
$12,695 CAD
Total fees
For first year of studies
$7,423 CAD
$14,525 CAD
What are annual continuing fees?
Domestic Continuing Fees: $1,627 CAD
International Continuing Fees: $3,693 CAD
Continuing fees apply after the first full year of studies.
Funding availability
The Graduate Program in Linguistics offers excellent financial support packages to qualified applicants on a competitive basis. We guarantee support packages of at least $20,000 annually for MA students (first 2 years of program).
Fees listed here are estimates only, and have been rounded to the nearest dollar. These amounts should not be considered accurate. All amounts are in Canadian Dollars.
Fees are subject to change.
For more details and the most accurate information go to the Academic Calendar
For more general information, see our Fees and Funding Guide
Highlights of the Linguistics Program
Learn more about this program
Linguistics - Graduate Studies
SLLLC-C Block Office: Craigie Hall, Room C 218
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.6136
Go to our contact page and connect with the right person to answer any questions you might have