Master of Arts in Linguistics

Program Overview

Trinity Western University is committed to training leaders in professional, academic and mission fields.  The MA Linguistics degree program prepares students to contribute and lead in the field of linguistics with a foundation in both theoretical and applied linguistics.

This two-year (39 semester hour) graduate academic program is strongly oriented towards linguistic field work. It prepares students to analyze and describe the linguistic structures of languages and to put previously unwritten languages into writing.  While most graduate linguistics programs emphasize theory, this program emphasizes practical linguistic analysis in the development of language programs in roles such as language revitalization, orthography development, literacy program development, and translation.

The support and involvement of the Canada Institute of Linguistics enhances this degree program, providing a faculty rich in field experience and expertise.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the TWU MA in Linguistics program will be able to:

1. analyze a language that is not well documented;
2. understand the implications of linguistic analysis for various applications such as the development of orthographies, literacy materials, pedagogical grammars, and dictionaries;
3. critically read and understand scientific literature in their field;
4. prepare research findings for publication in professional journals;
5. qualify for entrance into doctoral studies in linguistics;
6. be able to address issues in their field from Christian perspectives; and,
7. continue their professional development in the field of linguistics.