Master of Arts Bilingualism Studies

The Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) is offering a program leading to the Master of Arts (MA) in Bilingualism Studies. This program is intended to offer an advanced education in several areas of applied linguistics, including bi- and multilingualism, methodological and technological innovations in adult second language instruction, assessment of adult second language competence, as well as language policy and planning.

The program is offered in English and French. Students are required to take one of their two compulsory courses in English and the other in French. The electives can be taken in either language.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have the right to produce their work, their research paper, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English. The program is offered on both a full-time and a part-time basis. Three options are available for the program, the MA with thesis, the MA with research paper, and the MA with courses.

The institute, in partnership with Université Lyon 2, also offers a dual degree combining the Master of Arts (M.A) in Bilingualism Studies with a Master 2 Sciences du langage - Français langue étrangère.

The dual degree option, which leads to a dual degree with the Université Lyon 2, combines studies in Sciences du langage - Français langue étrangère with the Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Bilingualism Studies. Students enrolled in this option spend the winter term in the Université Lyon 2, France where they take the mandatory courses of the Master 2 program in Sciences du langage, and during the spring term they do a 65-hour unpaid teaching-research internship at the Centre des langues de lUniversité Lyon 2.

The dual degree option is offered on a full-time basis, and the courses for the Master 2 at the Université Lyon 2 are taught in French.

The program is governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be admitted to the MA program in Bilingualism Studies, candidates must have one (1) of the following:

• An honours bachelor's degree or equivalent in Second Language Teaching / Didactique des langues secondes, in Applied Linguistics or in a related discipline.
• A three-year bachelor’s degree in Applied Linguistics or a related discipline in addition to a university-level, university-administered advanced certificate in TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages), representing a minimum of 30 units.

The minimum admission average is 70% (B), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines.

Once admitted to the Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Bilingualism Studies, students can apply for the dual degree of Master of Bilingualism Studies (University of Ottawa) and Master 2 Language Studies - French as a Foreign Language (Université Lyon 2 ), by contacting OLBI’s Director of Graduate Studies. They should also send an email confirming their interest in this option to: artsgrad@uOttawa.ca.

Language Requirements

All applicants must be able to understand, speak and write either English or French proficiently. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable tests is indicated in the specific requirements of the program.

Additional Coursework

The Admissions Committee may, depending on the students’ academic background, require them to complete one or two additional courses beyond the basic MA degree requirements.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.