phd in linguistics calgary

• My UCalgary
• Class Schedule
• UCalgary Directory
• Continuing Education
• Active Living
• Academic Calendar
• UCalgary Maps
• Close Faculty Websites List Viewing: Faculty Websites
• Cumming School of Medicine

Faculty of Arts

• Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Faculty of Kinesiology
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Nursing
• Faculty of Nursing (Qatar)
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Work
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Haskayne School of Business
• School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
• School of Public Policy
• Schulich School of Engineering
• Werklund School of Education
• Future Students
• Explore programs
• How to apply
• Understanding graduate studies
• Indigenous graduate students
• Financing grad school
• International students
• Transdisciplinary graduate programs
• Graduate Student Ambassadors (Unibuddy)
• Virtual tour
• Graduate student life
• What I wish I knew
• Admissions contact information
• Current Students
• Newly Admitted
• Graduate Orientation
• Pre-arrival
• Registration
• Annual Registration
• Concurrent Registration
• Confirmation of registration
• Course registration
• Registration status
• Studying at another university
• How to use your Student Centre (including updating personal information)
• Thesis-based students
• Academic Schedule

Fees and funding

• Graduate Awards Database
• Supervision
• Important Resources and Supports
• Graduation and Convocation
• Student Appeals
• Course-based Students
• Managing grad school
• Term-Based Registration
• Academic Integrity
• Indigenous Graduate Students
• Important resources and supports
• Forms and documents
• Service Requests and eForms
• News, updates and events
• Find Graduate Program Staff
• Supports for graduate students
• Award Opportunities
• Doctoral Recruitment Scholarships
• Award Guide
• Step 1: Applying
• Looking for awards
• Eligibility
• Preparing your application
• Step 2: Receiving
• Accept/Decline your award
• Getting paid
• Step 3: Managing your award
• Renewing your award
• Award interruption
• Award Termination
• Policies and Regulations
• Regulations
• Exceptional scholars
• Contact the Scholarship Office
• Professional Development
• Communication Skills and Competitions
• Research communication skills
• Images of Research
• Three Minute Thesis
• 2024 UCalgary 3MT Finalists
• 2024 3MT Finals' Hosts and Judges
• Past Three Minute Thesis Videos
• Internships
• For employers
• For graduate students
• For graduate supervisors
• On-Campus Internships
• For UCalgary employers
• On Campus Resources
• My GradSkills Partners
• Online/Virtual Training
• Supervisory Resources
• Becoming a Supervisor
• Maintaining your supervisor profile
• Supervisory Renewal
• Supervisor responsibilities and resources
• Graduate oral examinations
• GRADnet SharePoint
• Leadership team
• FGS Council
• Committees of Council
• Minutes and meetings
• Website Feedback

Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview.

This program has three streams - applied linguistics, literature and/or film studies, and transcultural studies.  Students in each stream enjoy personal attention and interaction with professors with far-reaching subject-area expertise who embrace a range of theoretical approaches. The applied linguistics stream focuses on language acquisition, language learning and teaching, and sociolinguistics. Students may choose to undertake experimental studies in any of these areas.  The focal languages for applied linguistics are French, Chinese, German and Spanish. The stream in literature and film studies offers students an opportunity to delve into the study of literary and cinematic productions in French, German and Spanish. Students will acquire theoretical and critical expertise in their chosen field of study. The stream in transcultural studies, the only one offered in Canada, examines the inner differentiation and complexity of cultures from the geographic areas where French, Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish are spoken. This program has an interdisciplinary emphasis and students acquire a high degree of cultural literacy. All of these streams will provide students with a broad set of advanced research and communication skills, specialized knowledge, and enhanced language proficiency.

Please note: this program is not intended for students interested in performing research primarily on texts written in English or on English as a Second Language. Applicants in these fields are encouraged to consider programs in Educational Research.

Completing this program

• Core courses: Students will take a required course on Additional Language Pedagogy, and a research methods course on Applied Linguistics or Literary and Cultural Studies.
• Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams and submit a dissertation proposal.
• Third language: Students must demonstrate reading comprehension in a language other than English and the target language of the PhD program.
• Research activities: Students participate in university-wide research activities, including presentations and workshops.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original dissertation.

Specializations

• Applied linguistics
• Transcultural studies

Please visit the  Languages, Literatures and Cultures departmental webpage  for more information on specializations.

Graduates will be prepared for a profession in the post-secondary sector, cultural organizations, education, finance, government services, immigration, public relations, publishing, tourism and travel, advertising, or communications and media.

A PhD in languages, literatures and cultures is usually considered a final degree.

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Six courses

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment.

Four years full-time; six years maximum

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

See the Graduate Calendar for information on  fees and fee regulations,  and for information on  awards and financial assistance .

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.

Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree. Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.

Ozouf Sénamin Amedegnato

Marie-Andrée Bergeron

Nayibe Bermudez Barrios

Francesca Cadel

Mark Conliffe

Cheryl Dueck

Angela George

Elizabeth Montes Garcés

Jean-François Richer

Admission requirements

A minimum of 3.4 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).

Minimum education

A Master of Arts degree in one of the Languages, Literatures and Cultures areas of specialization, or equivalent, from a recognized institution.

Work samples

A sample of critical writing: MA thesis or research paper or other writing, which the applicant considers representative of his or her best work. Either the sample research paper or the research proposal must be submitted in the target language of study.

• Research proposal of 2-3 pages
• Statement of Intent: A 250-word (minimum) statement of research interest including the research topic and the reasons for wishing to pursue graduate work in this unit.

Reference letters

Test scores.

Demonstrate a high level of oral and written competence in the target language (CEFR level C1 or equivalent). The target languages of the program are French, Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

English language proficiency (ELP)

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iB T including TOEFL iBT Home Edition)  minimum score of 86 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  score of 6.5 (with no section less than 6.0).
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency  minimum score of 180.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)   score of 59 or higher
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL)  overall score of 70 (no section less than 60).
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC)  minimum of B+ in each course.
• Duolingo English Test  obtaining a minimum score of 125 (with no sub-score below 105).

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

For admission on September 1

January 15 application deadline for applications and supporting materials

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Are you ready to apply?

Learn more about this program, languages, linguistics, literatures and cultures.

Craigie Hall, Room C 310 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Faculty of Arts website

Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Course-based MA

Thesis-based MA

Communication and Media Studies

Thesis-based PhD

Educational Research

Thesis- based EdD

Thesis- based MA

Course-based MEd - Int

Course-based MEd - Spec

Thesis-based MSc

Linguistics

Thesis-based MMus

Course-based MSc

Political Science

Religious studies, curious about the university of calgary.

Located in the nation's most enterprising city, we are a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude.

• Prospective Students
• Current Students

• My UCalgary
• Class Schedule
• UCalgary Directory
• Continuing Education
• Active Living
• Academic Calendar
• UCalgary Maps
• Close Faculty Websites List Viewing: Faculty Websites
• Cumming School of Medicine
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Faculty of Kinesiology
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Nursing
• Faculty of Nursing (Qatar)
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Work
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Haskayne School of Business
• School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
• School of Public Policy
• Schulich School of Engineering
• Werklund School of Education
• Graduate Programs in Education
• Future Students
• Laddered Pathways
• MEd Interdisciplinary
• MEd School Counselling
• Master's Programs
• MEd Specialist
• MEd School & Applied Child Psychology
• MSc Counselling Psychology
• MSc School & Applied Child Psychology
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Doctoral Programs
• EdD Doctor of Education
• PhD Educational Research
• PhD Counselling Psychology
• PhD School & Applied Child Psychology
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Current Students
• Bridge to Teaching
• Registration & Fees
• Newly Admitted Students
• Student Resources
• Deferral of Term Work Policy
• Learning Resources

Candidacy & Dissertation

• Working with your supervisor (thesis programs only)
• Faculty Research Specializations
• Application Process
• How To Apply
• Prospective Students
• Application Guides
• Student Centre
• Supervisor Requirements (thesis programs only)
• Faculty Research Interests
• Admission Requirements by Program
• Partnerships and Transfer Agreements
• English Language Proficiency Requirements
• Submitting Transcripts
• Official Transcript Requirements
• Unofficial Transcript Requirements

PhD in Language and Literacy

Thesis-based, on campus degree

Language and Literacy prepares students to understand and conduct research on various dimensions of literacy, linguistic and cultural diversity, especially as they relate to the acquisition, use, teaching, and learning of languages, multiliteracies (multiple meaning-making systems, including print, visual, oral, audiovisual, and gestural texts), and new literacies and digital media . This program is open to applicants from a broad array of regions/countries, It will be of interest to prospective educators and researchers in the areas of literacy, English as an additional language (EAL) or second language (ESL), bilingual education, teaching and learning French as first and second language and other languages, including Aboriginal languages, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, German.

Program Details

Important deadlines & information.

Application Dates

Application opens:   September 1 Application deadline:  December 1 Official supporting document deadline: December 1-No Exceptions

Students must use the online application found at the  How to Apply  page.

Program Delivery

The PhD in Educational Research is a full-time program that is normally delivered on campus for the first two years of the program for either a Summer term start or a Fall term start.

Admission Requirements

Transcripts & supporting documents- due december 1.

Applications, transcripts and all supporting documents must be submitted 11:59 pm MT on the application deadline date for each program. Please visit the  FGS applicant transcript page  to answer frequently asked questions on transcripts. 

For additional information on transcripts and where to send them, please visit our  How to Apply  page.

References Two (2) academic references are required. References will be asked to complete an online reference form. No hard copy letters of reference or documents will be accepted.

Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies'  advice on finding references  for your application.

References are due by the application deadline, so you should complete the online application earlier in order to give your referees sufficient time to submit their reference. Referees will receive notification on how to submit their reference  after  you submit your application and are due on the application deadline regardless of when they receive the notification.  Please ensure that your references are aware of the supporting document submission deadline.  Applications without completed reference forms will be considered incomplete after the application deadline has passed.

Statement of Intent and Admission Portfolio Applicants must submit a written statement of intent and are encouraged to submit an  admission portfolio  as part of the application to the PhD in Educational Research program. 

Hard copy statements of intent and admission portfolio components will not be accepted. Please ensure that you are using the online application system to submit these documents.

Tuition and Fees

Information on tuition and fees can be found in the University Calendar .

Please visit the  candidacy and dissertation section of our website  for information.

PhD Funding

The Werklund School of Education provides funding opportunities for full-time doctoral students admitted to the on-campus program, for the first 4 years in program.

Awards and Scholarships

Applicants to the program  are encouraged to apply for internal and external scholarships.

Supervision

As a Graduate Student, you are expected to devote the time, effort, and energy necessary to engage in scholarship. You will determine the specific milestones and requirements of your program of study in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar and with your graduate supervisor. 

An integral part of the student experience is working closely with a supervisor on the development and completion of a research project. A graduate supervisor mentors graduate students through regular meetings and research training aimed at research, scholarship, teaching and professional development. Graduate supervisors support students in the timely completion of their programs.

As a Graduate Student, you are expected to meet with your graduate supervisor on a regular basis. While each student-supervisor relationship is unique, graduate supervisors can assist graduate students in a number of ways: advising on course selection, applying for awards and scholarships, obtaining research funds, applying for teaching assistant and sessional teaching opportunities, developing track records in refereed publications and conference presentations, getting involved in leadership and service, and encouraging and supporting apprenticeship in a research community of practice (collaborative review of papers, grants, academic writing, and data analysis). 

A supervisor is normally appointed at the time of admission to the PhD program.

Have Questions?

Sylvia Parks Graduate Program Administrator (GPA) 403.220.4105, [email protected]

Academic Coordinator

Dr. Rahat Zaidi, [email protected]

Ready to Apply?

Welcome to Calgary Linguistics!

Home of ‘A Higher Clause’, the Graduate Students’ Association of Linguistics at the University of Calgary

We are a passionate group of Master’s and PhD linguistics students at the University of Calgary dedicated to fostering growth, collaboration, and connection among students in the field. At Calgary Linguistics, you’ll find a diverse group of scholars sharing groundbreaking research, thought-provoking discussions, paper writing, and innovative ideas in linguistic exploration. Whether you’re diving into phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, first language acquisition, or historical linguistics, Calgary Linguistics is the place to be.

Explore our website to find information on our graduate students (A Higher Clause), undergraduate students (Verbatim), research groups led by our faculty, and information on events, including colloquium talks and seminars by professors and professionals across North America aimed at developing our understanding of current linguistic research, and interdisciplinary nature of linguistics. Follow our social media to keep up to date on all things #UCalgaryLING!

The Alberta Conference on Linguistics (ACOL) will be at the University of Calgary on November 2nd!

Visit the conference website for more information.

calgarylinguistics

Upcoming Events

September 27 th – Simon Roessig (University of York, UK) Organized by the International Speech Communication Association (ISCA) Topic: “Syntagmatic prominence relations in prosodic focus marking” Online broadcasting at Craigie Hall E212 – 3:30pm

October 18 th – Linguistics Speaker Series: Kyumin Kim (Chungbuk National University & UCalgary) and Emily Elfner (York University) Topic: “Demonstrative ku in Korean: its syntax and prosody” Craigie Hall E212 – 3:30pm

November 2 nd – Alberta Conference on Linguistics Craigie Hall E212

November 28 th – “An Evening of Language Love” with Julie Sedivy  Taylor Family Digital Library – 6:00-8:00pm

November 29 th – Linguistics Speaker Series: Anja Arnhold (UAlberta) Topic: “Prosody-syntax interactions, typology and linguistic complexity” Craigie Hall E212 – 3:30pm

January 17 th – Linguistics Speaker Series: Susanne Carroll (UCalgary) Topic: “ Time  in language acquisition research” Craigie Hall E212 – 3:30pm

February 6 th – Alumni panel on alternative careers for linguists, featuring Jen Abel, Brittany McDonald and Svitlana Winters Last Defense Lounge – 6pm

February 28 th – Linguistics Speaker Series: Keir Moulton (UToronto) Experimental Syntax topic (TBA) Craigie Hall E212 – 3:30pm

March 14 th – Linguistics Speaker Series: Lyn Tieu (UToronto) Experimental or Developmental Pragmatics topic (TBA) Craigie Hall E212 – 3:30pm

Craigie Hall (University of Calgary) 2940 University Way NW Calgary, Alberta [email protected]

• My UCalgary
• Class Schedule
• UCalgary Directory
• Continuing Education
• Active Living
• Academic Calendar
• UCalgary Maps
• Close Faculty Websites List Viewing: Faculty Websites
• Cumming School of Medicine
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Faculty of Kinesiology
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Nursing
• Faculty of Nursing (Qatar)
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Work
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Haskayne School of Business
• School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
• School of Public Policy
• Schulich School of Engineering
• Werklund School of Education
• SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, LINGUISTICS, LITERATURES AND CULTURES
• Future Students
• Language placement
• Undergraduate
• Undergraduate Programs
• Embedded Certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language
• Certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language
• How to apply
• International Students
• Indigenous Students
• Why UCalgary?
• Internationalize your degree
• UCalgary Awards and Scholarships
• School Awards and Scholarships
• Contacts and help
• Degree Programs
• Languages Literatures and Cultures

Linguistics

• Fees and funding
• Explore research areas and supervisors
• Student Life
• Meet our students
• Current Students
• Current undergraduate students
• Language Placement
• Degree requirements
• Room bookings
• Student Advising
• Student Services
• Student clubs
• School awards and scholarships
• Volunteer, Work or Study Abroad
• Volunteer and Work
• Study Abroad
• Current graduate students

Languages, Literatures and Cultures

• Newly Admitted
• Managing My Program
• Tuition and fees
• Graduate Calendar
• Forms and documents
• My GradSkills
• Experiential Learning
• Our researchers
• Our Researchers
• Area and Interests
• Language Research Centre
• Cercle Benveniste
• Language Research Centre Working Groups
• Linguistics Reading and Working Groups
• Journals and Publications
• Calgary Working Papers in Linguistics
• Archives - I
• Archives - II
• News and Events
• Research area and interests
• Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Work With Us
• Full-time faculty
• Sessional instructors
• Adjunct instructors
• Emeriti and retired professors
• Graduate students

Explore our graduate programs

Find the one that's right for you.

As a future member of our vibrant graduate community, please explore the features and benefits of your Master’s or Doctoral program.

Languages, Literatures and Cultures Program

Our program represents an innovative response to the demand for inter- and transcultural knowledge and competence in the global community and seek to promote the application of a set of critical skills that serve to advance the understanding of language and culture, applicable beyond the parameters of the academic context.

M.A. – Course-based Specializations

Learn more »

M.A. – Thesis-based Specializations

• Applied linguistics
• Transcultural studies

Ph.D Specializations

Linguistics Programs

We are a part of an energetic academic community that includes many linguistics colleagues in other departments throughout the University of Calgary.

Linguistics Master of Arts (MA)

Our Linguistics graduate program 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.

Linguistics Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

We offer a rigorous doctoral program in theoretical linguistics, drawing on work in syntax, phonology, phonetics, morphology and more to train authoritative scholars with a comprehensive understanding of the discipline.

Ready to apply?

Ready to start your application? Get all the information you need to apply today.

Graduate program contacts

School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures

Graduate Program Advisor

Federica Gowen 403.220.4001 [email protected]  

Graduate Program Director

Wei Cai 403.220.8590 [email protected]

Federica Gowen 403.220.4001 [email protected]

Dimitrios Skordos 403.220.6396 [email protected]