Graduate Application Procedures

1. You must upload to the online application transcripts and/or academic documents for every institution of higher education you attended.  If a transcript is not in English, you must upload an English translation certified by the college or university which it was issued.  This includes both the transcript and diploma. The uploaded transcripts and/or academic document must be from the official version of the document.  An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution.  All transcripts and/or academic documents uploaded to the online application system are considered unofficial.  You will need to provide official transcripts and/or academic records at the request of the graduate program or if you are admitted and choose to enroll.  These materials must be sent to: Office of Graduate Admissions, Purdue University, 155 South Grant Street, YONG 170, West Lafayette, IN 47907.

2. at least 3 letters of recommendation Letters for recommendation should be downloaded onto your electronic application.  
3. Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose should be approximately 500 words describing your academic and professional goals, your preparation in linguistics, and your background in research and writing.  If you are applying for an M.A., please indicate if you expect to terminate your studies with the M.A. or hope to continue to a Ph.D.  You may also wish to describe your prior work experiences and cite any published works.  Please name the professors you are interested in working with and explain why you would like to work with them.  It is important that you expand on the extent to which the professors' research interests  match your own.  Please submit electronically with your on-line application.
4. Writing Sample: A writing sample is required of all applicants to the graduate programs in Linguistics, both at the M.A. level and at the Ph.D. level.  Please submit electronically with your on-line application.

   1. Applications for graduate study in Linguistics at the M.A. level should include a course paper or other work that the student feels represents his/her general writing ability. It need not be on a topic from Linguistics.
   2. Applications for admissions to the Ph.D. program must include a writing sample relevant to Linguistics. This writing sample may be something written specifically for the application, a term paper for a previous course, or published work.
   3. The purpose of the writing sample for applicants to the M.A. program is to indicate the student's general writing ability. It need not be on a topic from Linguistics.
   4. The writing sample at the Ph.D. level should show the student's general writing ability and also that the student has a sufficient understanding of Linguistics to enter at the Ph.D. level rather than the M.A. level.

1. If recommended for admission, originals of all prior transcripts (international students must include both the original language and English translations of the transcript AND diploma).

1. TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants

Domestic Applications

M.A. Program

• Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average:
  • 3.4 or equivalent required
• Deadline for Applications:
  • Fall Entry: December 15

Ph.D. Program

• Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average:
  • 3.4 or equivalent required
• Master's Degree Completion:
  • Not required but must be completed during the doctoral program with a 3.6 GPA or equivalent
• Deadline for Applications:
  • Fall Entry: December 15

International Applications

M.A. Program

• • Deadline for Applications:
    • Fall Entry: December 15

Ph.D. Program

• • Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average:
    • 3.4 or equivalent required
  • Master's Degree Completion:
    • Not required but must be completed during the doctoral program with a 3.6 GPA or equivalent
  • English test scores for Non-Native English Speakers:
  • • Minimum Score Required: TOEFL internet-based tests: writing - 18, speaking - 18, listening - 14, reading - 19 or IELTS (Academic Module): reading - 6.5, listening - 6.0, speaking - 6.0, and writing - 5.5.
    • Important: you must include your TOEFL or IELTS scores in order to be considered for funding, so even if the application says it is not neccessary, send them anyway.
  • Deadline for Applications:
    • Fall Entry: December 15