Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Department of Linguistics

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Thesis-based MA

Complete 35 units: 17 credits of coursework and 18 credits of thesis.

MA Thesis students must take all of:

  • Ling 880 Advanced Linguistic Research for Professional Development (3) – second year
  • Ling 890 Graduate Seminar I (1) – must complete in first year.
  • Ling 891 Graduate Seminar II (1) – must complete in first year.
  • Four additional graduate courses (12). Only two of these four courses should be taken outside the linguistics department. *Consultation with supervisor recommended .

After students have completed the above course requirements, they can then enroll in:

  • Ling 898 MA Thesis (18) – second year.

Students are expected to take most of their coursework in the first year. Research and writing the thesis should take place in the second year. 

For a list of current linguistics graduate courses, visit our courses page. 

Supervisory Committee  

MA Thesis students should formally declare their Supervisory Committee by the end of the Fall term. This Committee must comprise of at least:

  • one Supervisor from the Lingusitics Department
  • one Faculty member from the Lingusitics Department

Students may choose to add one more member to their Committee. 

Download the latest APPROVAL OF SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE form here. 

Guildlines for Defence

Policies 

  1. All MA students in the department must complete a thesis/dissertation based on original research, and must comply with University regulations on completing and defending the thesis/dissertation, as specified in SFU calendar entries 1.9 and 1.10.
  2. In accordance with SFU practices and in conforming to recommendations by the Office of Dean of Graduate Studies, all defences should be held at the SFU Burnaby campus, unless there is a valid reason for holding it at the down town campus.
  3. The organizing of a departmental colloquium given by an external examiner is the responsibility of the Colloquium Committee, such an event being independent from the administering of the defence.

Policy on Photocopying of Thesis 

In preparing to submit their thesis, graduate students should print out only one copy using the departmental printer. They can give this copy to the Graduate Program Secretary to arrange for additional copies to be distributed to the examining committee. The students are responsible for the expenses involved in making additional copies.

Program Completion Time Limit

Program Completion Time Limit / Extension Policy Download --> [pdf ⤓]

  • Graduate students in the Department of Linguistics are expected to complete their degrees within the required time limits as outlined in the SFU Graduate General Regulations:  
    • MA students have a maximum of 9 semesters to complete their program
    • Parental leave, medical/compassionate leave, academic break do not count towards time limit
    • Personal leave will count towards the time limit
    • Extensions will only be granted under extenuating circumstances, and must be supported by the student’s senior supervisor, and approved by the Linguistics Graduate Studies Committee and Dean of Graduate Studies.