Program Guidelines
Degree Requirements
MA DEGREES (THESIS AND COURSE-BASED)
Both thesis-based and course-based MA programs are offered. The thesis-based program is research focused, while the course-based program is focused on developing a variety of skills.
Students registered in either the thesis-based or course-based programs must successfully complete a minimum of 18 credits in the area of specialization and MLCS 795 (individualized modules tailored to the student's professional goals). The courses chosen to meet the 18 credit requirement will depend on the student's background and must be approved by the department's Director of Graduate Programs.
Language Requirement: MA students must demonstrate at least an intermediate reading knowledge of one language other than English. Credits taken to satisfy the language requirements do not count toward the degree. New students should meet with the Graduate Advisor to discuss the LOE requirement once they arrive.
In addition to the requirements listed above:
- a thesis-based student must complete MLCS 797 (academic and professional writing, which will lead into a thesis)
- a course-based student must complete MLCS 796 (individualized modules tailored to the student's professional goals, part II)
The expected time to complete for an MA degree is between twelve and twenty four months. The maximum time allowed to complete the MA program is four years.
PHD DEGREES
Over the duration of their program, students must register in and successfully complete a minimum of 30 credits, as follows:
- 18 credits in coursework in the area of specialization, approved by the Graduate Director
- MLCS 795 (individualized modules tailored to the student's professional goals)
- MLCS 797 (academic and professional writing)
- MLCS 798 (preparation for the comprehensive exams)
- MLCS 799 (preparation for the candidacy exam)
In addition to the requirements listed above, students must complete a thesis. Students may have the option to complete a paper-based thesis.
Language Requirement: PhD students must demonstrate at least an intermediate reading knowledge of two languages other than English. Credits taken to satisfy the language requirements do not count toward the degree. New students should meet with the Graduate Advisor to discuss the LOE requirement once they arrive.
The Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies requires that students demonstrate a general knowledge of their specialization of study by passing comprehensive exams prior to the candidacy exam. The Comprehensive Exam is held in late Fall of Year 2. After passing comprehensives, students prepare a thesis proposal; the Candidacy Exam is an oral defense of the thesis proposal. Students are expected to successfully complete Candidacy in their second year of study, and must be successfully completed by the end of the student's third year in the program. To support students through this process, they will complete two colloquia (MLCS 798 Comprehensives Colloquium, and MLCS 799 Candidacy Colloquium).
The expected time to complete for a PhD depends upon the student's progress. The minimum requirement is two years of study and research in residence at the University of Alberta. The maximum time allowed to complete the program is six years.
Map of MLCS Degrees
| MA-Course | MA-Thesis | PhD |
|
Year 1 |
Year 1 - 18 credits of courses (see table below) |
Year 1 - 18 credits of courses (see table below) |
| Year 2 (Fall only) - MLCS 795 - MLCS 796 - MLCS 901 |
Year 2 (Fall) - MLCS 795 - THES 906 |
Year 2 (Fall) |
|
Year 2 (Winter) |
Year 2 (Winter) - THES 903 - MLCS 797 - MLCS 799 (Candidacy Exam) |
|
| Complete in 18 months |
Complete in 24 months |
Year 3 - dissertation |
| Years 4-6 (max) - dissertation |
||
| Total: 24 credits | Total: 24 credits | Total: 30 credits |
Core courses
| Applied Linguistics | Media And Cultural Studies | Translation Studies | Transnational And Comparative Literatures | |
| Year 1 (Fall) | MLCS 620 MLCS 622 MLCS 650 |
MLCS 651 MLCS 640 MLCS 650 |
MLCS 602 MLCS 601 MLCS 650 |
MLCS 651 MLCS 630 MLCS 650 |
| Year 1 (Winter) | MLCS 621 Elective Elective |
MLCS 652 Elective Elective |
MLCS 600 Elective Elective |
MLCS 652 Elective Elective |
*Note that 3 courses (9 credits) constitutes full-time enrolment.