McGill offers Ad Hoc MA and PhD programs in Indigenous Language Revitalization for members of communities whose languages are threatened. These interdisciplinary programs are designed to support scholarly and community based work in language reclamation, documentation, pedagogy, and revitalization.
The Ad Hoc structure allows students to design a tailored program of study by combining relevant graduate level courses from different disciplines, in consultation with their supervisory committee and the Graduate Program Director. Courses are completed in person at McGill’s downtown campus.
Graduates of the program are prepared to undertake advanced research, community language initiatives, teaching, and leadership roles in Indigenous language revitalization contexts.
Program focus and outcomes
The Ad Hoc MA and PhD in Indigenous Language Revitalization support Indigenous community members and scholars engaged in sustaining, reclaiming, and strengthening Indigenous languages. The programs emphasize interdisciplinary study and allow students to design a course of study aligned with their language, community, and research goals.
Who the programs are for
Successful applicants typically have:
• Native speaker knowledge of an Indigenous language, or
• A demonstrated commitment to learning an Indigenous language as a second language
Applicants should also demonstrate a clear interest in the scholarly and practical work of Indigenous language revitalization, including community engaged approaches.
Degree options
Ad Hoc MA
A two year thesis based program combining coursework, graduate research seminars, and an MA thesis focused on Indigenous language revitalization.
Ad Hoc PhD
A research intensive doctoral program focused on original work in Indigenous language research and revitalization, including coursework, qualifying papers, and a doctoral thesis
Supervision and program structure
Students are supervised by a committee drawn from relevant disciplines and may work closely with Indigenous scholars, language practitioners, and community mentors where appropriate. The interdisciplinary nature of the program supports diverse methodological approaches grounded in community priorities and Indigenous knowledge systems.
Program Structure
The Ad Hoc MA and PhD programs in Indigenous Language Revitalization are housed in the Faculty of Arts Institute for Indigenous Research and Knowledges. In the interim, the programs are administered by the Department of Linguistics.