Offered by Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada, Indigenous Languages and Linguistics: Master of Arts (MA) is a master's degree in Indigenous Focus programme. The programme runs for 5 semesters, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 2,193 per semester (CAD 2,193 per semester for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Master's Degree
Field:Indigenous Focus
Duration: 5 semesters
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 2,193 / semester
International tuition: CAD 2,193 / semester
Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
A cohort-based MA completed over four to six terms, requiring 32 units built around six core courses in field methods, phonetics, morphology, syntax, and discourse analysis before students choose a thesis, project, or coursework completion path. Admission weighs language proficiency assessed by community speakers alongside academic credentials, and instruction draws on both Elders and linguistics faculty to combine Indigenous Ways of Knowing with linguistic documentation.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission to this MA follows one of several pathways rather than a single academic threshold: proficient speakers of the target Indigenous language, as assessed by a panel of speakers or community-appointed experts; advanced learners who have completed SFU's Certificate or Diploma in Indigenous Language Proficiency with a CGPA of at least 3.0; holders of a BA or BEd who have studied the language and linguistics; or, for those without a bachelor's degree, completion of at least three courses (12 units) within the Graduate Certificate in the Linguistics of an Indigenous Language with a CGPA of at least 3.0. All applicants must also satisfy SFU's general graduate admission requirements set out in Graduate General Regulations 1.3, and no English-language test is required.
Application Details
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through EducationPlannerBC, with one set of dates per applicant type rather than by citizenship. Fall 2027 entry: high-school-route applications open 1 October 2026 and close 31 January 2027, while transfer applications open 1 March 2027 and close 15 April 2027 (Education and Contemporary Arts transfer applicants may apply from 1 October 2026). Spring 2027 entry runs 1 July to 15 September 2026, and Summer 2027 entry runs 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Admission documents are generally due 28 February 2027 (Fall) and offers must be accepted by 1 May. International applicants use the same EducationPlannerBC dates and portal; SFU publishes no separate international deadline. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
