Graduate Admissions
The Department of Linguistics is looking for students who share our interests in empirically-driven approaches to language and who have the background training, talent, and eagerness to participate actively in the research life of our department.
We encourage you to follow a two-stage application process. If time permits (i.e. before December 1st prior to our January 15th application deadline), please consider submitting a Preliminary Information Form and other requested documents. We will circulate these materials to all members of the Graduate Admissions Committee and any other relevant faculty members who might be a good supervisory fit to you. Within a week to 10 days, we will send you a letter either inviting you to submit a formal application or encouraging you to seek admission elsewhere or at a later date. This preliminary stage saves you the $100 application fee if the Committee feels that your chances for admission into the Department are unlikely. Admission is never guaranteed, but we raise the odds of your acceptance into our graduate programs if we think you have potential and we can make suggestions for improving your formal application. You are, of course, welcome to submit a full formal application without going through the Preliminary application stage.
General information about admission to the University of Alberta can be found at Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Formal application is made through the University's on-line application system. If you are unable to use the on-line system, contact the Department at the address below and request a paper application.
You must also arrange to have the following items sent directly to our office by January 15th:
- official copies of your transcripts for all previous post-secondary schooling (submitted in the original language, accompanied by a certified English translation)
- any required test scores (such as TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate English ability if your previous post-secondary training was not in English; the GRE is recommended, but not required)
- three letters of recommendation (sealed or sent under separate cover)
- a 1-2 page statement of research interests
- a sample of written academic work
Please check the Formal Application Checklist to ensure you have sent everything you need. You will be able to check on the progress of your application by returning to the on-line system, which will provide a listing of documents required and whether or not they have been received by the Department. Please note that the on-line formal application requires advance payment (via credit card) of the CAD$100 application fee. Applicants from certain countries may have this fee waived. Please check the FGSR website for details of exempt countries. If you cannot make this payment by credit card, you can send a cheque or money order payable in Canadian dollars and made out to the "University of Alberta" directly to the Department of Linguistics and we will set up an on-line application for you.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
In addition to English language competency and GPA requirements common to most graduate programs, we also ordinarily require credits in separate undergraduate-level courses in at least 5 of the following 6 areas: general linguistics, phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics.
Deadlines
Completed formal applications and all supporting documentation must be received by January 15 in the year you wish to begin your studies (e.g., 15 January 2009 to begin studies in September 2009). Applications arriving after this deadline may be accepted but may not receive full consideration for Departmental Funding.
For further information about admission to our program, contact:
Oliver Rossier, Department Administrator
or
Terry Nearey, Graduate Coordinator (linggrad@ualberta.ca)
Department of Linguistics
4-32 Assiniboia Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB T6G 2E7, CANADA
tel: (780) 492-3434
fax: (780) 492-0806