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Master of Arts Second Language Education (Thesis): Gender and Women's Studies

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Get a comprehensive overview of second language acquisition, assessment, evaluation, and research methods, with opportunities to specialize in areas like educational sociolinguistics, language testing, critical applied linguistics, and feminist theories. The program includes the examination of feminist theories and research methods from a variety of contexts and perspectives. Graduates can pursue careers as educational leaders, policy-makers, or consultants in scholastic, government, or organizational settings. Graduates may also pursue doctoral studies in applied linguistics or working in research sites focused on second languages.

Have questions?

grad.dise [at] mcgill.ca (Contact a Student Affairs Coordinator)

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Full Program Details from the Course Catalogue

Second Language Education (Thesis) (M.A.): Gender and Women's Studies (45 credits)

Offered by: Integrated Studies in EdÌý(Faculty of Education) Ìý Ìý
Degree: Master of Arts
Program credit weight: 45

Thesis Courses (24 credits)

Course Title Credits
EDSL 666Thesis Research 1.6

Thesis Research 1.

Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025

Submission of a thesis proposal.

EDSL 667Thesis Research 2.6

Thesis Research 2.

Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025

Presentation of thesis proposal.

EDSL 668Thesis Research 3.6

Thesis Research 3.

Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026

Master's thesis.

EDSL 669Thesis Research 4.6

Thesis Research 4.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Master's thesis.

Required Courses (15 credits)

Course Title Credits
EDEM 690Research Methods: Theory and Practice.3

Research Methods: Theory and Practice.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Overview of the epistemological foundations of a range of research methods, including but not limited to quantitative, philosophical, qualitative, arts-based, and mixed methods. Students will learn techniques to conduct research and to develop a research proposal.

EDPE 575Statistics for Practitioners.3

Statistics for Practitioners.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Understanding and interpreting basic statistical procedures used in basic and applied research, including graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, hypothesis testing, and correlations, t-tests, and basic ANOVA designs.

EDSL 623Second Language Learning.3

Second Language Learning.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Seminar in second language acquisition theory and research and their relevance to teaching a second language.

EDSL 627Instructed Second Language Acquisition Research.3

Instructed Second Language Acquisition Research.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Seminar in second language classroom-centred research focusing on instructional procedures and practices in relationship to learning outcomes.

WMST 601Feminist Theories and Methods.3

Feminist Theories and Methods.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Examination of feminist theories and research methods from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

Complementary Courses (6 credits)

3 credits selected from the following courses:

Course Title Credits
EDEC 630Ethnographic Approaches to Research .3

Ethnographic Approaches to Research .

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Ethnography as a qualitative research approach that allows researchers to conduct in-depth studies of complex social and cultural practices. Hands-on experience in ethnographic field work and practice ethnographic research methods are offered. Focus on history and application of a range of ethnographic approaches including traditional, critical, visual, activist, institutional, and collaborative ethnography.

EDEM 609Critical Perspectives in Educational Theory and Research.3

Critical Perspectives in Educational Theory and Research.

Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025

Critical exploration of contemporary issues in educational theory and research, in terms of current scholarship in the field, current educational contexts, and various research paradigms. Educational issues as expressions of social, ethical, political, economic, epistemological and cultural reconfigurations. Students will learn to be critical consumers of educational theories and research.

EDSL 617Special Topics in Second Language Education.3

Special Topics in Second Language Education.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

In-depth study of current topics in Second Language Education. (Content varies from year to year.)

EDSL 620Social Justice Issues in Second Language Education.3

Social Justice Issues in Second Language Education.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

An examination of social identity, non-dominant languages, and power relations among speakers, and their impact on the nature of second/additional language teaching, learning and use, from the perspective of critical applied linguistics. Topics range from the micro level of the individual to the macro level of language planning and policy-making.

EDSL 624Educational Sociolinguistics.3

Educational Sociolinguistics.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Seminar in the social, cultural and political dimensions of English second language learning and teaching.

EDSL 631Second Language Curriculum.3

Second Language Curriculum.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Research, theory and practice in curriculum development and teaching in second language education within contemporary frameworks.

EDSL 632Second Language Literacy Development.3

Second Language Literacy Development.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Theory and research related to the teaching and learning of second language literacy. The orientation is on reading and writing as a socio-cognitive activity.

EDSL 640Language Awareness: Theory and Practice.3

Language Awareness: Theory and Practice.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Explores the concept of language awareness-learners’ and teachers’ explicit knowledge about and conscious perception of language in relation to its learning, teaching, and use. Will further outline possibilities for promoting learners’ language awareness in the L2 classroom.

EDSL 651Content-Based L2 Learning.3

Content-Based L2 Learning.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Theoretical research underpinnings of learning a second language through content-based approaches and analysis of empirical studies undertaken in a wide range of immersion and other content-based L2 classrooms.

3 credits chosen from the following, must be either:

Course Title Credits
WMST 602Feminist Research Symposium.3

Feminist Research Symposium.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Discussion and development of participants' research in gender and women's studies.

or one 3 credit course, at the 500, 600, or 700 level, on gender/women's issues (may be in the Department or outside).

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Graduate Supervision

It is not required to secure a supervisor prior to applying to the program; however, you will be asked to name up to three (3) potential supervisors as part of your application. Students will be matched up with their supervisor upon acceptance into the program. You may also choose to reach out to your preferred potential supervisor prior to submitting your application to determine if they are a good fit for you, and so that they are aware of your application and intended research.

Click the button below to review the list of potential supervisors. Should you have any questions about supervision, please contact DISE's Graduate Program Director for Thesis Programs.

(Note that individual supervisors may list further details, such as when they are taking new students and application instructions in the Graduate Supervision section at the bottom of their individual profile pages.)

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Eligibility (Admission Criteria)

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

  1. Possess an undergraduate degree.
  2. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two years of full-time studies. International applicants can look up grade equivalencies on McGill’s Future Graduate Students website.
  3. It is recommended that applicants have a minimum of 36 credits of relevant courses in education and /or language studies and/or have at least two years of relevant professional experience in education.
  4. Proficiency in English. Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English and who have not obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction, or from a recognized institution in Canada or the US (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of proficiency in oral and written English.
  • IELTS with a minimum overall band of 7.0; (with a minimum writing score of 7.0); or
  • TOEFL:iBT (Internet-based test) – total score of 92 with a minimum score of 22 each for the Writing and Speaking sections and a minimum of 20 each for the Reading and Listening sections and PBT (paper-based test) – 580
(The Department reserves the right to evaluate the applicant's language proficiency before initial registration and at the time of application.)

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Application Process & Required Documents

All applications are done through . The application steps and instructional video are on the University's Future Graduate Students website. The following documents must be part of your application: (Note that all uploaded documents to the portal must be in PDF format.)

1. A complete application form (accompanied by your application fee payment). You will be asked to name up to three (3) potential supervisors as part of your application. (See the Graduate Supervision section above for more details.)

2. A copy of your unofficial transcripts from all previous university-level studies (undergraduate and graduate). Official transcripts are required to be submitted by those who gain admission to the program. (Instructions on sending official transcripts will be sent upon acceptance.)

3. Letters of Reference: Within the online application, applicants must provide valid institutional e-mail addresses for two (2) references. At least one reference must be from a university-level instructor; the other may be from an administrator in an educationally relevant context. »ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ will contact the referees directly to submit their letters of reference.

4. Research Statement: (1,000 words in APA format). Your Research Statement should address the following prompts:

  • What problem or issue do you propose to research during your Master's? Why is that problem or issue important to address?
  • How do your research interests build on your previous studies, professional experience, and/or lived experiences? (Please reference any existing publications that has inspired your research interests.)
  • How do you think your research ambitions can be supported by your potential supervisor?

5. Research Summary: (200 words) A succinct summary of your research statement. This document will be reviewed by prospective supervisors.

6. English Language Proficiency Test Score (if applicable): Please arrange for test scores (TOEFL, IELTS) to be sent to McGill directly from the testing agency. You must indicate the »ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ institution code: 0935.

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Application Deadlines
Complete applications must be received by the date indicated below.
  • Fall Admission: January 1
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What to Expect After Submitting your Application

Recommended candidates will receiveÌýa "Recommendation of Acceptance" email by April, confirmingÌýthat their application has been reviewed and is being transmitted to McGill's Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS). Successful candidates will be contacted via email with an official offer of admission.ÌýCandidates are then required to confirm their acceptance via theirÌý. Kindly note that acceptance deferrals are not typically granted except under extraordinary circumstances.

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