Graduate
Applications
The Department of LInguistics admits students to two degree programmes: Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Applications must satisfy both the general regulations of the School of Graduate Studies as well as the requirements of the Department of Linguistics for each type of degree as detailed below. Please read the requirements carefully, as only applicants who meet the minimum requirements and whose research interests are consistent with research areas in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto will be considered by the Admissions Committee. The School of Graduate Studies Guide also provides helpful information. The deadline for applications is January 15.
Master of Arts Admission Requirements:
Admission to the M.A. programme in Linguistics requires a four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in linguistics from a recognized university. Applicants must have at least a B+ average in the final year of their B.A. programme. The M.A. programme is intended for those seeking a more comprehensive and concentrated training in linguistics than undergraduate study permits, and especially for those seeking preparation for a Ph.D. programme. The M.A. programme also provides an excellent way of developing critical thinking skills, analytical throught, and argumentation strategies. Students enrolled in the M.A. programme who wish to continue must submit a complete application for admission to the Ph.D. programme, which will be considered on a par with those originating from outside the University of Toronto.
Specific admission requirements (see our undergraduate courses for sample descriptions):
1-year M.A. - introductory level courses in phonetics and semantics, intermediate level courses in phonology, syntax, and several more courses in linguistics.
2-year M.A. - introductory level courses in phonetics, phonology, semantics, and syntax (minimum).
Programme completion requirements
1-year M.A. - 8 half-courses including Field Methods, Analysis and Argumentation, and Linguistic Forum. Students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English.
2-year M.A. - 16 half-courses including intermediate courses in phonology and syntax in the non-final year, Field Methods, Analysis and Argumentation, and Linguistic Forum. Reading knowledge as for the 1-year M.A.
Doctor of Philosophy Admission Requirements:
Admission to the Ph.D. programme in Linguistics requires a Master's degree in linguistics, from a recognized university (or similar qualifications). A student must have an average grade of at least an A- in that program. The Ph.D. programme is intended primarily for those interested in teaching linguistics and doing advanced linguistic research. Applicants must satisfy the Admissions Committee that they are capable of independent research in linguistics at an advanced level.
Admission to both programmes is highly competitive and selective. Those who barely meet the minimum conditions should not expect admission without exceptionally favourable supporting considerations.
Programme completion requirements
Normally six half-courses (including required courses from the M.A. program). Professional reading knowledge of two languages other than English. Two Generals papers: one in either phonology or syntax, and one in a second area, usually to be chosen from linguistic theory, variation theory, or cognitive science. Comprehensive proposal and dissertation.
Application Procedures
There is a non-refundable application fee of $110.00 (click the link to the Application Form below for details). Applications to the Graduate Studies Department of Linguistics are now self-administered, which means that the student is responsible for assembling all the relevant documents together with the required application forms from the links below, completing these forms, and submitting these documents. You must send a copy of your application to the Department of Linguistics as well as submitting it to the School of Graduate Studies.
Please follow these instructions carefully.
At the end of the instructions is a link to the online application form.
Applications to the Graduate Department of Linguistics must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies through the online admissions application which is housed on a secure server at the University of Toronto. The department will consider your application only after you have entered your personal and academic information in the online application and submitted the application fee.
Once you access the SGS online admissions application and enter your contact information an applicant identification number and a password will be emailed to you. You can leave and return to your application at any point until you move to the payment stage. At that point you can return to check on the status of this application including whether we have received your supporting documents.
The documentation necessary for a complete application is:
1. A statement of interest of one page indicating the applicant's areas of interest in linguistics at the graduate level.
2. Transcripts from each university attended, complete to the time of application. These may be unofficial transcripts. If they are in a language other than English they must be translated into English. An official transcript must be provided upon receipt of a letter of offer for admission.
3. Three letters of reference from linguistics instructors. The link to the reference letter form will be provided to the referees through a secure link on the SGS application website. The applicant should fill out the referee information form and submit it with their documentation.
4. For applicants to the Ph.D. programme only, you will upload to the SGS site one sample of your written work in Linguistics (in English or French), e.g. a term paper. This document should not exceed 20 pages. It should be as recent as possible and should provide evidence of the student's ability to do linguistics at an advanced level.
Payment of your application fee must be received by the School of Graduate Studies before we will consider your application. You may pay online by VISA or Mastercard. This payment method is secure as the transaction is handled by Mirapay, a third party authorized by VISA and Mastercard. Mirapay provides the School of Graduate Studies with payment confirmation only. SGS and the University of Toronto will not have access to your credit card information. Please note that the process requires that popup blockers on your web browser be disabled. You must be able to receive pop-ups.
If you are unable to pay by credit card you may print an invoice from the application and mail it with a certified cheque to the School of Graduate Studies.
Proceed to the SGS online admissions application.
Applicants whose primary language is not English and who are not graduates of a university whose language of instruction is English must also submit a TOEFL score of at least 600 and a TWE score of at least 5, or equivalent results in some other recognized test of English language facility.
The online admissions application replaces previous pdf and printed application forms. If you have copies of those forms, please discard them and use the online application process only. If for some reason you cannot use the online admission application, please contact the department:
The Graduate Administrator,
Department of Linguistics,
130 St. George, Room 6076,
University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3H1
After January 1, 2010 our address will be:
The Graduate Administrator, Department
of Linguistics,
100 St. George, 4th Floor Sidney Smith Hall,
University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3
by regular mail
or by e-mail to lingdept@chass.utoronto.ca .
Application Deadlines
The closing date for applications to the Department's degree programmes, by which time applicants must have submitted all supporting documentation as well as their completed application forms, is January 15.