Linguistics

Linguistics: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Linguistics

MA and PhD

  • Fields:
    • Language Variation;
    • Psycholinguistics;
    • Theoretical Linguistics

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

Overview

The discipline of linguistics focuses on the nature of human language and how its many systems can be accounted for. The Department of Linguistics focuses on three major areas — theoretical linguistics, language variation and change, and psycholinguistics — with an emphasis on the intersections between these areas.

The core areas of research and teaching in the MA and PhD are:

  • Theoretical Linguistics (generative grammar: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics)
  • Language Variation (sociolinguistics, dialectology, language variation, language change)
  • Psycholinguistics (comprehension and production, language acquisition, both in relation to linguistic theory)

Contact and Address

Web: www.linguistics.utoronto.ca
Email: linguistics@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-4029
Fax: (416) 971-2688

Department of Linguistics
University of Toronto
Sidney Smith Hall
4th Floor, 100 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3
Canada

Graduate Faculty

Graduate faculty membership information will be coming soon.

Linguistics: Linguistics MA

The MA program in Linguistics offers comprehensive training in three areas of strength: theoretical linguistics, language variation and change, and psycholinguistics. Students complete rigorous coursework with research training in their preferred area of study. By the time of graduation, students are equipped with professional-level skills in interpretation of data, analysis, and argumentation.

The department offers one- and two-year MA options. The majority of students are admitted to the one-year MA option.


MA Program (One-Year Advanced-Standing Option — Standard Admission)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Linguistics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants with a bachelor's degree, with a minimum B+ average, may be admitted to the one-year program. Admission requires a strong background in linguistics with at least courses in introductory phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must normally complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 1.0 FCE of the following, if not already taken: JAL1145H, LIN1121H, LIN1131H, or their equivalents.

    • 1.5 FCEs from other Linguistics course offerings determined by the Graduate Coordinator.

    • LIN2100Y Linguistic Forum including regular class meetings in which students discuss and present their research topics and a final paper, completed under the supervision of a faculty member working in the same research area.

  • All students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English. The choice of language must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, having regard to the student's field of research. In some circumstances, demonstrated competence in computer programming may satisfy the requirement.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

MA Program (Two-Year)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Linguistics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants with a bachelor's degree, with a minimum B+ average, may be admitted to the two-year MA program. Admission is offered to rare instances to exceptional applicants whose background in linguistics is limited.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must normally complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • Year 1: 4.0 FCEs in phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax if not completed during the student's undergraduate degree;

    • Year 2: 4.0 FCEs as follows:

      • 2.0 FCEs: JAL1145H, LIN1103H, LIN1121H, LIN1131H, or their equivalents, if not already taken.

      • 1.0 FCE from other Linguistics course offerings as determined by the Graduate Coordinator.

      • LIN2100Y Linguistic Forum including regular class meetings in which students discuss and present their research topics and a final paper, completed under the supervision of a faculty member working in the same research area.

  • All students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English. The choice of language must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, having regard to the student's field of research. In some circumstances, demonstrated competence in computer programming may satisfy the requirement.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

Linguistics: Linguistics PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Linguistics offers comprehensive and rigorous training in an environment that encourages collaboration across the fields of Theoretical Linguistics, Language Variation and Change, and Psycholinguistics. Students achieve an advanced understanding of language and are equipped with professional-level skills in analysis, argumentation, interpretation, and quantitative reasoning. While many graduates choose academic positions, many others choose to pursue careers in fields such as education, publishing, and data science.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an MA degree; 2) direct entry following completion of a bachelor's degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Linguistics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • University of Toronto MA in Linguistics, or its equivalent, with at least an A– average.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. By the end of Year 2, students must successfully complete a total of 5.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) with a minimum median grade of A–:

    • 2.5 FCEs or their equivalents must be completed if they have not been taken previously:

      • JAL1145H Field Methods

      • LIN1104H Quantitative Methods in Linguistics

      • LIN1121H Phonological Theory

      • LIN1131H Introduction to Syntactic Theory

      • LIN1145H Semantics

      • If these have been previously taken, a balance of electives must be taken to fulfil the 2.5 FCE requirement, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

    • 0.5 FCE from:

      • JLP2451H Language Acquisition

      • JLP2452H Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory

      • LIN1070H Language Processing

      • LIN1106H Introduction to Experimental Design

      • LIN1112H Phonetic Analysis

      • LIN1156H Language Variation and Change: Theory and Analysis

      • LIN1211H Advanced Phonetics

      • LIN1255H Advanced Language Variation and Change I

      • LIN1256H Advanced Language Variation and Change II

      • LIN1271H Advanced Psycholinguistics I

      • LIN1272H Advanced Psycholinguistics II

      • LIN1276H Topics in Speech Perception.

    • Of the above courses, 1.0 FCE must be taken at the 1200 level, with 0.5 FCE in Phonology, Syntax, or Semantics.

    • LIN2101H PhD1 Forum, taken in Year 1.

    • LIN2201Y Generals Paper I and LIN2202Y Generals Paper II — completion in two distinct areas of study. Topics must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

  • Residency. During Years 1 and 2, students are normally required to be on campus full-time; i.e., in such geographical proximity as to be able to visit the campus regularly and to participate fully in the department's activities associated with the program.

  • Language. Students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English. The choice of language must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, having regard to the student's field of research. In some circumstances, demonstrated competence in computer programming may satisfy the requirement.

  • Thesis. Candidates are required to present a thesis, which must be an original contribution to linguistic knowledge. Both the preparation for and the writing of the thesis will be carried out under the supervision of members of the department.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Linguistics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants with a bachelor's degree, with a minimum A– average, may be admitted to the direct-entry PhD option. Admission requires a strong background in linguistics with courses in introductory phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and a demonstration of capacity for original research.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. By the end of Year 3, students must successfully complete a total of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) with a minimum median grade of A–:

    • 2.5 FCEs or their equivalents must be completed if they have not been taken previously:

      • JAL1145H Field Methods

      • LIN1104H Quantitative Methods in Linguistics

      • LIN1121H Phonological Theory

      • LIN1131H Introduction to Syntactic Theory

      • LIN1145H Semantics

      • If these have been previously taken, a balance of electives must be taken to fulfil the 3.0 FCE requirement, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

    • 0.5 FCE from:

      • JLP2451H Language Acquisition

      • JLP2452H Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory

      • LIN1070H Language Processing

      • LIN1106H Introduction to Experimental Design

      • LIN1112H Phonetic Analysis

      • LIN1156H Language Variation and Change: Theory and Analysis

      • LIN1211H Advanced Phonetics

      • LIN1255H Advanced Language Variation and Change I

      • LIN1256H Advanced Language Variation and Change II

      • LIN1271H Advanced Psycholinguistics I

      • LIN1272H Advanced Psycholinguistics II

      • LIN1276H Topics in Speech Perception.

    • 2.0 elective FCEs; of these, 0.5 FCE may be taken outside the Department of Linguistics, upon consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

    • Of the above courses, 1.0 FCE must be taken at the 1200 level, with 0.5 FCE in Phonology, Syntax, or Semantics.

    • LIN2101H PhD1 Forum, taken in Year 1.

    • LIN2201Y Generals Paper I and LIN2202Y Generals Paper II — completion in two distinct areas of study. Topics must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

  • Residency. During Years 1, 2, and 3, students are normally required to be on campus full-time; i.e., in such geographical proximity as to be able to visit the campus regularly and to participate fully in the department's activities associated with the program.

  • Language. Students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English. The choice of language must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, having regard to the student's field of research. In some circumstances, demonstrated competence in computer programming may satisfy the requirement.

  • Thesis. Candidates are required to present a thesis, which must be an original contribution to linguistic knowledge. Both the preparation for and the writing of the thesis will be carried out under the supervision of members of the department.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

Linguistics: Linguistics MA, PhD Courses

Course descriptions and other information are available each spring from the Coordinator of Graduate Studies. Not all courses are offered in a given year. Students should consult the departmental website.

JAL1145H, JFL1107H, JFL1207H, JLP2450H, JLP2451H, JLP2452H, LIN1001H, LIN1002H, LIN1028H, LIN1029H, LIN1032H, LIN1041H, LIN1070H, LIN1103H, LIN1104H, LIN1105H, LIN1106H, LIN1111H, LIN1112H, LIN1121H, LIN1131H, LIN1133H, LIN1145H, LIN1151H, LIN1156H, LIN1211H, LIN1221H, LIN1222H, LIN1231H, LIN1232H, LIN1245H, LIN1246H, LIN1255H, LIN1256H, LIN1271H, LIN1272H, LIN1276H, LIN1490H, LIN1503H, LIN1505H, LIN2100Y, LIN2101H, LIN2201Y, LIN2202Y