Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies

School of Linguistics and Language Studies
Paterson Hall 215
Tel.: 613-520-2802
carleton.ca/slals

M.A. Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies

About the Program

The School of Linguistics and Language Studies offers a program of study leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies. This program emphasizes the central role of language in all aspects of educational, professional and social endeavours, focusing on how language is used and how effective language abilities are developed in these contexts. Specific areas of research and study include:

  • Teaching English as a second and foreign language
  • Curriculum and methodology in second and foreign language teaching
  • Language learning and acquisition
  • Language assessment and testing
  • Writing and written genres in professional and academic contexts
  • Adult Literacy, including literacy in bilingual and multi-lingual contexts
  • Critical discourse analysis/systemic functional linguistics
  • Language policy

Students in the program can concentrate their studies in one of the following fields or, alternatively, they can create a unique synthesis of the two fields which suits their own goals, interests and purposes:

  • Applied Linguistics (the teaching and acquisition of additional languages)
  • Discourse Studies (the nature, acquisition and teaching of written discourse/literacies)
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Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

A standing of B- or better must be obtained in each credit counted towards the master's degree.

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Admission Requirements

The normal minimum requirement for admission to the master's program is a B.A.(Honours) degree in a discipline involving the analysis of language or the study of language use or learning; or a 3 year B.A. in a relevant discipline together with a B.Ed. or C.T.E.S.L.

Students must have achieved high honours standing (a minimum of B+ in related courses and B overall) in their academic work.

Relevant professional experience may also enhance a candidate's application.

For other admission regulations not specific to the School of Linguistics and Language Studies, refer to the General Regulations section of the Graduate Calendar, in particular the subsection on Admission Requirements and Eligibility.

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Program Requirements

Students will establish their programs in consultation with the School's supervisor of graduate studies.

Each candidate will select one of the following program paths:

The choice of thesis, research essay, or credit program path will be made by the student, with the advice of the Supervisor. Relevant factors will include the student's academic goals, professional goals, and background knowledge.

ALDS 5001 is normally to be taken in the first fall term after admission to the program.

Permission may be granted for enrolment in 1.0 credit offered in another department.

Graduate students may take courses at the senior undergraduate (4th year) level up to a maximum of 1.0 credit. Permission of the School's graduate supervisor is required. Students may take a combination of senior undergraduate courses and 'piggybacked' courses (fourth-year courses also offered, with different requirements, at the graduate level) up to a maximum of 1.5 credits.

It is expected that students will progress steadily towards the completion of requirements for the degree. In particular, it is normally expected that:

  • a full-time student will complete 3.0 credits of course work within two terms of study, and an acceptable thesis proposal early in the third term of study; or 4.0 credits of course work within three terms, and an acceptable research essay proposal early in the fourth term; and all degree requirements within six terms of study
  • a part-time student will complete 3.0 credits of course work within three years of initial registration, and an acceptable thesis proposal early in the fourth year; or 4.0 credits of course work within four years, and an acceptable research essay proposal early in the fifth year; and all degree requirements within six years of initial registration
  • a student who registers in a combination of full-time and part-time study will, in consultation with an adviser, develop a schedule for completion of course requirements and a thesis or research essay proposal, consistent with times to completion stated above and with the overall time limits specified in the General Regulations section in this Calendar.
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Ph.D. Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies

About the Program

The School of Linguistics and Language Studies offers a program of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies. This program comprises the following two fields:

  • Applied Linguistics (the teaching and acquisition of additional languages)
  • Discourse Studies (the nature, acquisition and teaching of written discourse and literacies)

This doctoral program builds on the School's M.A. program, focusing how language is used and how effective abilities are developed in one's first or second language in specific educational, professional and social contexts. The program allows students to develop their own specialized topics of study and research within or across the following areas:

  • Teaching English as a second and foreign language
  • Curriculum and methodology in second and foreign language teaching
  • Language learning and acquisition
  • Language assessment and testing
  • Writing and written genres in professional and academic contexts
  • Adult Literacy, including literacy in bilingual and multi-lingual contexts
  • Critical discourse analysis/systemic functional linguistics
  • Language policy
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Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar, and in addition the following:

Candidates must maintain a grade point average of 10.0 or better throughout this program.

Residence requirement

Ph.D. candidates must normally be registered full-time in a minimum of six terms to satisfy the residence requirement. If a candidate is registered part-time, the minimum residence requirement is eight terms.

Guidelines for completion of Ph.D. degree

Full-time Ph.D. students are normally expected to complete their requirements in four calendar years. All part-time students must complete their requirements within a period of nine years, as set out in the General Regulations in the Graduate Calendar.

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Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission to the Ph.D. program is a Master's Degree in Applied Language Studies, Applied Linguistics, Teaching English as a Second Language, Composition and Rhetoric, or an acceptable equivalent field, with at least an A- average (10 G.P.A.).

Applicants whose academic preparation has deficiencies in certain areas may be admitted to the Ph.D. program with the requirement that they take additional courses. Applicants who have completed an M.A. in the School of Linguistics and Language Studies or elsewhere with an outstanding grade point average (11.0 or above), who are deemed to have an excellent background in and knowledge of research in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies at the Master's level, and who have a clear direction for their doctoral research, may be permitted to receive up to 2.0 credits of advanced standing of the first year's doctoral coursework requirement, with the possibility of moving directly into the second year of the program.

In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, applications will include a statement of interest outlining the applicant's proposed area of doctoral research and a representative sample of the applicant's academic writing.

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Program Requirements

Program requirements for the Ph.D. are outlined in the General Regulations section of the Calendar. The specific program requirements for the doctoral program in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies are 10.0 credits, to include:

  • 1.0 credit in ALDS 6101 and ALDS 6102 Seminar in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies, Parts I & II
  • 1.0 credit in elective courses
  • 1.0 credit in ALDS 6201 and ALDS 6202 Praxis in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies, Parts I and II
  • 0.5 credit in ALDS 6300 Interpretive Analysis in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies
  • 0.5 credit in ALDS 6109 Doctoral Project I: Thesis Proposal
  • 0.5 credit in ALDS 6209 Doctoral Project II: Praxis Paper
  • 0.5 credit in ALDS 6309 Doctoral Project III: Research Progress Report
  • 5.0. credits in ALDS 6909 Ph.D. Thesis
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