MA Degree Requirements

Only candidates in the Applied Field can choose the MA Degree by All Course option

MA Degree by All Course Option

Applied 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, in accordance with the requirements for the applied field.

Candidates in either field, Linguistics or Applied Linguistics, may choose to do either an MA Degree by Major Research Paper or by Thesis.

MA Degree by Major Research Paper

Students are required to successfully complete the following:

1. Courses
   Six one-semester courses chosen from those offered by the MA program in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, in accordance with the requirements for the field (linguistics or applied linguistics) that the candidate has chosen.
   
   
2. Major Research Paper (MRP)
   A research paper/project on a topic which 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 (average length 150 pages) 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. Normally, the advisor and one other professor in the program will determine the final grade.

MA Degree by Thesis

Students are required to successfully complete the following:

1. Courses
   Four one-semester courses chosen from those offered by the MA program in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, in accordance with the requirements for the field (linguistics or applied linguistics) that the candidate has chosen.
   
   
2. Thesis
   A thesis on an approved topic which 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, centred on the thesis, and matters related to it. Note: Selection of the thesis option automatically means that it will take more than the normal year (fall/winter terms, plus summer term) to complete the program.