The Linguistics department offers both Master's (M.A.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) graduate degree programs.

Quick Links for graduate students:

• Upcoming Graduate Courses
• Graduate Course Descriptions
• Theses & Papers

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Masters in Linguistics

We offer an M.A. with thesis and occasionally admit students under the M.A. without thesis option. The MA_timeline describes our deadlines and expectations for this two-year program.

PhD in Linguistics

Entry to the Ph.D. program in Linguistics is normally restricted to students whose area of intended specialization reflects both the theoretical interests of the department and the language families in which the department possesses particular expertise. These include both the European and Indigenous languages of Eastern North America.

Applications in the areas of theoretical (generative), variationist linguistics and language acquisition are particularly encouraged. 

Requirements for the Linguistics Ph.D. program are described in the Memorial University calendar. The Ph.D. guidelines document describes our deadlines and expectations for this four-year program.

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Graduate program info for prospective students 

Application deadline:
Janaury 31st every year

Commenencement Date:
Fall semester

The formal application process is detailed on Memorial's Become website.

Considerations before applying

Before applying, make sure that we are able to offer the kind of program that you need; in particular check that there is at least one faculty member who specializes in your area of interest. You can do this by reading our faculty member profiles.

Our focus is on core areas of Linguistics. We do not offer a program in English as a Second Language (ESL). Please refer to the people and research sections of our website for more information about what we do at Memorial.

Graduate program requirements

Admittance to the Ph.D. program requires an M.A. in Linguistics, with completion of core courses in syntax and phonology.

Admittance to the M.A. program requires a B.A. major in Linguistics (or equivalent). Applicants without a Linguistics major may be considered for entry to the M.A. upon successful completion of an equivalent number of courses.

Funding information

Memorial University offers competitive funding packages to academically eligible full-time graduate students, both Canadian and International, in eligible programs.

Select Ph.D. students will also automatically be considered for the School of Graduate Studies Dean's Doctoral Award, through a competitive process. The award is an additional amount of $5000 per year for up to four years.

For a list of available courses, please refer to the University Calendar entry for Linguistics graduate programs (M.A., Ph.D.), or our current course descriptions.