How to Apply
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Thank you for your interest in applying to our graduate program! We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2023. Please check back in August for information about Fall 2024 admission.
Before You Apply
Applicants who work with a faculty mentor in preparing their applications tend to have more success in gaining admittance. Please visit the faculty directory for a list of faculty members and their research foci. Please note that Professors Adrian Palmer, Johanna Watzinger-Tharp, and Scott Jarvis are not accepting graduate students this year for Fall 2023.
Our Specializations and Interests
In the Department of Linguistics at the U, our faculty specialize in:
- Theoretical Syntax and Semantics
- Theoretical Phonology
- Second Language Acquisition
- Second Language Phonology
Our faculty also have interests in historical linguistics, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics.
How to Apply
Submit your completed Graduate Admissions Application. Fall 2023 applications are due January 10th. The following should be submitted as part of the Graduate Admissions Application:
- Unofficial Transcripts of all previous college and university coursework
(If you are accepted, you will need to send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions.) - Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Statement of Purpose
Please provide an explanation of your interest and purpose in seeking a graduate degree. - Writing Sample
A sample of your best academic paper must be written in English. (If one is not available, your best non-academic prose will suffice.) The academic writing sample must be written by the applicant alone. It should represent the writing ability of the applicant in order for the Graduate Committee to judge if their level in writing will lead to success in the graduate program. - Three Recommendations
These may be submitted online via ApplyYourself. A hard copy of the recommendation form mailed to the Department of Linguistics is also acceptable. Please enter the names of your recommenders in the online application even if they are mailing their recommendations. Professors who know your academic abilities write the most useful and convincing personal references. It is your responsibility to ensure that all three references reach us by the application deadline. - English Proficiency Scores
Non-native English speakers must have TOEFL score of 100 (IBT) or better or a minimum IELTS band score of 7.0 or better or a Duolingo English test score of 120. English proficiency scores must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Please visit the Office of Admissions for further information regarding this requirement. You may also contact the International Office of Admissions at iao@sa.utah.edu
We consider requests for application fee waivers in cases of financial need. If you need an application fee waiver due to financial difficulties, please fill out this form. No documentation of financial need is required. Waiver funds are limited. Applicants who work with a faculty mentor tend to have more success in gaining admittance. We want our fee waiver recipients to have a faculty mentor so they have the best chance at admittance. So it is advisable to work with a faculty mentor in assessing whether our program would be a good fit for you prior to requesting an application fee waiver. Requests will be guaranteed full consideration only if they are received by January 5th.
Additional Information
- Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm that all materials have been received by the Linguistics Department. If the deadline falls on a weekend, application materials will be accepted until the following Monday.
- The minimum requirements for graduate admission are a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college/university, and at least 3.00 or higher undergraduate weighted mean GPA.
- In keeping with our commitment to promoting equity and accessibility, we do not include evaluation of GRE scores in our admissions process. GRE scores will not be considered even if sent.
- Applicants may be contacted by faculty members during the admission process for Skype interviews.
- We do not offer spring admission into our graduate programs.
- If you have any questions regarding the admission process or graduate programs, please e-mail our graduate advisor, Kacey Campbell, at kacey.campbell@utah.edu.
Mailing Address
Department of Linguistics
c/o Kacey Campbell
255 S Central Campus Dr. Room 2300
Salt Lake City, UT 84112