Master's Program

KU Linguistics Department

Applications to the master's and Ph.D. programs in Linguistics may be submitted electronically or through the mail.

The Graduate School offers an online application to our department here.

In addition to the online application form, applicants must also provide the following materials. Note that the online application process may include some of these items.

  1. Appropriate application fee (varies)
  2. Résumé or Vita
  3. A statement outlining your educational and career goals may also be attached to your application. This very important part of your application helps the faculty to decide whether our program is appropriate for you. In the statement, you should explain why you want to study linguistics and what you intend to do with the knowledge you would gain from studying here. You should also note any special circumstances concerning your application, your prior training or experience, and anything else you wish the faculty to take into account in evaluating your application.
  4. One (1) official copy of your transcript from the baccalaureate granting institution, and any transcripts from institutions attended post-baccalaureate. If your transcript was issued in a language other than English, a certified translation in English should be attached to each official copy.
  5. Three (3) letters of recommendation, sent directly to the department by the person recommending you. If possible, these people should include faculty members who have supervised your earlier work. Please click here for the Recommendation Form.
  6. An official report of the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). (Mandatory requirement, no waivers.)
  7. For non-native speakers of English: An official TOEFL or IELTS score report of a test taken no earlier than two years before you apply. The minimum score requirement for regular admission to the graduate programs is 53 (paper-based), 20 (computer-based), or 20 (internet-based) in each of the sections of the TOEFL or an overall score of 6.0 with no part score below 5.5 for IELTS. This requirement is waived if the student graduated with a baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned in residence from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education, or from such an institution whose medium of instruction is English. This does not apply to degrees earned online. (Mandatory requirement)
  8. An optional writing sample. A writing sample on a linguistically related topic is ideal, but one that showcases your general academic abilities in logic reasoning and argumentation is also welcome.

Note to all applicants: We must receive all mandatory materials for your application to be considered. In particular, we cannot offer any admission status, conditional or otherwise, without GRE or proof of English proficiency for international students. Requests to waive these requirements are routinely not granted and will slow down the process of your application.

The deadline of application for Fall admission is January 1. We do not offer Spring admission.

For financial support information, please click on the "Graduate Student Support" link on the left.

For more information about the program and to mail hard copy application materials, please refer to the below contact information:

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Linguistics
The University of Kansas
Blake Hall, Room 427
1541 Lilac Lane
Lawrence, KS 66045-3129
Telephone: (785) 864-3450
linguistics@ku.edu