Programs
Indigenous Language Revitalization
McGill offers Ad Hoc MA and PhD programs in Indigenous Language Revitalization for members of communities whose languages are threatened. These programs are designed to provide research concepts, methods, and skills that will help graduates in their efforts to contribute to the maintenance, documentation, and revitalization of their communities' languages and knowledges through interdisciplinary approaches. The ad hoc nature of the program allows students to create a tailored program of study by combining relevant graduate-level courses from different disciplines according to their individual strengths and interests. Note that these programs are not virtual or hybrid; courses are completed at McGill's downtown campus.
Admissions
Successful applicants will have a native speaker's knowledge of an Indigenous language of the Americas or Pacific, or a demonstrated commitment to learning it as a second language, as well as demonstrated interest and capacity in the scholarly and practical work related to language revitalization.
The application portal is now open here. Applications for admission for Fall 2026 for both the Ad Hoc MA and Ad Hoc PhD programs are due January 15, 2026.
Applicants will be asked to provide: a CV, a 2-page statement of interest, a writing sample, previous transcripts, and 2–3 reference letters; additional details can be found on the admissions portal. Applicants will typically have a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field. In special circumstances, however, admission to a Qualifying Year (QY) may be considered. Please contact Graduate Program Director, jessica.coon [at] mcgill.ca (Jessica Coon), for more information.
Administration
The Ad Hoc programs in Indigenous Language Revitalization will soon be housed in the new Faculty of Arts Institute for Indigenous Research and Knowledges. In the interim, the programs are administered by the Department of Linguistics. The Ad Hoc MA and PhD programs in Indigenous Language Revitalization are organized by the Program Committee:
- Noelani Arista, Director, FAIIRK; Associate Professor, History & Classical Studies
- James Crippen, Assistant Professor, Linguistics
- Jessica Coon, Graduate Program Director; Professor, Linguistics
Ad Hoc MA
The MA program is a two-year thesis degree program consisting of 7 approved 3-credit courses at the 500, 600 or 700 level (21 credits), 2 graduate research seminars (6 credits) and the MA thesis (18 credits). (Total = 45 credits)
Coursework
Specific courses will be chosen according to the student’s interests, and in consultation with supervisors and the program GPD. Typically, all students will complete INLG 501: Indigenous Language Revitalization, and at least one of INLG 611: Linguistics for Indigenous Language Study or INLG 621: Indigenous Knowledge Systems Analysis. Additional courses will be selected based on interests and course availability. With approval from the Program Committee, up to two courses may be completed either as independent tutorials, or through exchange at another institution.
Students will also complete two semesters of Graduate Research Semester (INLG 601–602) in their second year. The Graduate Research Seminar engages students in topics on professional development and offers an opportunity to present and review the student’s ongoing research.
MA thesis
According to GPS thesis guidelines: "A thesis for the Master's degree must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate the ability to carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner according to disciplinary norms. An exhaustive review of work in the particular field of study is not necessarily required. Expectation for the level of original scholarship at the Master’s level varies with the discipline. The thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain (see section: withholding a thesis from circulation temporarily)."
The MA thesis committee should be formed by May 15th of the student’s first year. The committee must consist of at least 2 members including the supervisor or co-supervisors; typically the supervisor will be a member of the Ad Hoc Program Committee. A thesis proposal should normally be completed by August 30th of the first year.
Timeline and deadlines
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Year 1 |
3 courses per semester |
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May 15: |
Constitution of Thesis Committee |
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August 30: |
Submission of Thesis proposal |
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Year 2 |
Graduate seminar courses and one additional course |
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Thesis research and writing |
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Ad Hoc PhD
The Ad Hoc PhD program is designed as a 5-year research-intensive program which provides interdisciplinary training in research skills, conceptual tools, and knowledge dissemination to multiple audiences, with a focus on conceptual and practical skills needed to pursue professional opportunities related to Indigenous language documentation and revitalization within and beyond academia. The program culminates in the preparation of a thesis, which is written under the direction of a supervisory committee, and which is expected to constitute original scholarship and a new contribution to knowledge.
The PhD program requires students to take 9 approved 3-credit courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level (27 credits), 2 3-credit graduate research seminars (6 credits), and two courses in association with Qualifying Papers (INLG 701 and 702, 0 credits). Students are free to take additional courses as long as research progress is satisfactory.
Coursework
Specific courses will be chosen according to the student’s interests, and in consultation with supervisors and the program GPD. Typically, all students will complete INLG 501: Indigenous Language Revitalization, and at least one of INLG 611: Linguistics for Indigenous Language Study or INLG 621: Indigenous Knowledge Systems Analysis. Additional courses will be selected based on interests and course availability. With approval from the Program Committee, up to two courses may be completed either as independent tutorials, or through exchange at another institution.
Students will also complete two semesters of Graduate Research Seminar (INLG 601–602) in their second year. The Graduate Research Seminar engages students in topics on professional development and offers an opportunity to present and review the student’s ongoing research.
Qualifying Papers
Before proceeding to thesis research, each student must complete the two PhD Qualifying Papers (QPs) which constitute the equivalent of a comprehensive exam in this program. Students write and defend two research papers — Qualifying Paper 1 (INLG 701) and Qualifying Paper 2 (INLG 702) — each focusing on a different sub-field related to Indigenous Language Revitalization. For each QP, candidates will prepare a paper which presents original research and is suitable for dissemination to a wider scholarly audience, such as presentation at a conference and/or publication in an academic journal; work from one or both QPs may feed into the PhD thesis. Successful completion of QPs 1 and 2 is a prerequisite to further supervised research for the doctoral dissertation.
PhD Thesis
The writing and examination of the doctoral thesis is governed by the guidelines laid out by McGill Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Please see those guidelines for information on the requirements of a thesis, its preparation, and details around the doctoral defence.
Content of the Thesis: According to the GPS guidelines: "A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain."
Selection of Committee and Dissertation Proposal: The thesis committee should be formed within two months after completion of Qualifying Paper 2. The thesis proposal is due 5 months after completion of Qualifying Paper 2. The committee and student should agree together on the format and length of the proposal and the proposal should be made in close consultation with the committee. Committee members indicate their approval by signing the proposal or by email. This proposal must be sent to the Graduate Program Director including the committee in the email and uploaded to myProgress where it becomes part of the student’s official record.
Timeline and deadlines
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Year 1 |
3 courses per semester |
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May 15: |
Constitution of Committee for QP 1 |
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Year 2 |
Graduate seminar courses and 3 additional courses |
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April 15: |
Submission of QP 1 |
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May 15: |
Constitution of Committee for QP 2 |
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Year 3 |
April 15: |
Submission of QP 2 |
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June 15: |
Constitution of Dissertation Committee |
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September 15: |
Submission of Dissertation Proposal |
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Year 4 |
Thesis research and writing |
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Year 5 |
Thesis research and writing
The final draft of dissertations is to be officially deposited by the end of August should be finished by the end of April. We strongly encourage candidates to complete the PhD within 5 years. Absolute deadline: PhD theses must be deposited no later than the end of PhD7. |
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Language Acquisition Program (PhD)
Interdisciplinary Language Acquisition Program (LAP)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Linguistics: Language Acquisition
For more information see the Handbook
Qualifying Year
Applicants whose application files show strong evidence for truly outstanding potential despite a lack of background in linguistics may be considered for admission to a Qualifying Year (QY). Several students have successfully used this program to transition into the field of linguistics from other fields (e.g., from Math, or Political Science). The QY in Linguistics is very small and very selective - we typically admit no more than one QY student per year, and sometimes none.
The application procedure for the Qualifying Year is the same as for our M.A. and Ph.D. program, with an application deadline that is usually in early December, to be admitted for the fall term of the following year. We do not offer funding for the QY.
The Qualifying year permits students to make up the gaps in their background by taking appropriate undergraduate courses. Students in the QY will normally be required to take the following undergraduate courses: Phonetics (LING 330), Phonology I (LING 331), Syntax I (LING 371), Introduction to Semantics (LING 360), Morphology (LING 440), plus three other courses.
Students typically take a QY in order to apply for a M.A. or a Ph.D, program in Linguistics in the following year. Admission to the QY does not automatically guarantee subsequent admission to our M.A. or Ph.D. program.
For more information see the Handbook
Courses
500 Level Courses
500 level courses are high-level seminar courses, usually intended for students in honours programs and graduate level students.
| Course | Syllabus |
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 Fall 2025 |
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700 Level Courses
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Resources
Awards
Past award recipients can be found on the People page.
Cremona Memorial Prize in Linguistics
Established in 2002 by a bequest from Isida Bernardinis Cremona, B.A. 1965, M.A. 1967. Awarded on the basis of high academic standing by the Faculty of Arts Scholarships Committee on the recommendation of the Department of Linguistics. Value varies.
Lara Riente Memorial Prize in Linguistics
Established in 2002 by family, friends, fellow students, professors and the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation in memory of Lara Riente, B.A. 1992, M.A. 2001. Lara was a gifted graduate of the Department of Linguistics whose sudden and tragic death was mourned by all who knew her.
Eligibility:
- Awarded by the Faculty of Arts Scholarships committee on the recommendation of the Department of Linguistics on the basis of high academic standing to a graduate or an undergraduate student enrolled in a full-time degree program in Linguistics.
- Preference shall be given to students in Neurolinguistics and/or Morphology.
- Value: $500
Forms
Letter of Understanding
PhD Forms
Evaluation Paper Committee Form
Evaluation Paper Post-Defense Form