Thank you for your interest in the Department of Linguistics. We administer two graduate programs, the Master of Arts in Language Teaching Studies, and the Doctor of Philosophy in General Linguistics. Applicants for these programs apply through a centralized application portal, which consists of general application questions in addition to program-specific questions.
Apply to MA in Language Teaching Studies
Before you apply, note that the first Summer term of the LTS program is completely online.
Summer 2023 courses will be offered online; the remaining terms are on the UO campus. LTS students will need to be physically present on campus starting Fall term 2023. Learn more about the LTS course of study.
How to Apply:
- Admissions Requirements
- Application Deadline
- Application Materials
- Submission Instructions
- Admission FAQs
Admission Requirements
Although not required, some academic background in linguistics or experience in language teaching is recommended as preparation for our program.
Applicants are expected to already have the expected level of language proficiency in their target language(s) for their future teaching contexts. 'Expected level' can vary widely, depending on the language and language teaching context. Many teachers in language revitalization efforts, for example, are themselves ongoing learners of the language
Application Deadline
The intensive five-term program begins in mid-June each Summer term; an alternate two year schedule is possible for a Fall term start (late September), but this is less common. If you are interested in the two-year plan, please contact the Director Keli Yerian at yerian@uoregon.edu.
Deadlines for Summer term admission:
- February 1 (for priority review and early notification)
- After February 1, there is a rolling deadline until the admission cap is reached.
International students who wish to apply for UO scholarships for international students such as the ICSP are advised to apply by the Feb. 1 deadline. Applicants must be admitted to the program to be considered for the scholarships.
Note that as of November 4, 2018, the GRE is no longer required for applicants to LTS.
Application Materials
1. Graduate Admission Application: This is a general application to the University of Oregon as well as the Linguistics Department application. A $70 non-refundable fee for domestic students, and a $90 non-refundable fee for international students, is collected by credit card. Applications for 2023 are now open.
2. Transcripts: One set of official transcripts is only required if the student is accepted into the program as of 2023. The official transcripts should be sent in a sealed envelope from all colleges or universities where you received a degree (Bachelor's and subsequent degrees) to:
Office of the Registrar
5257 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
3. Transcripts from non-U.S. countries should include an English version of any transcripts in other languages, and also a certificate of degree. If you have not yet finished a degree at the time of application, you do not need to send an official degree. You will be required to submit an official transcript once your degree is confirmed. If you are accepted to LTS and enroll at the UO as a graduate student you will be required to show proof of your degree within the first two weeks of your first term. Please upload unofficial copies of your transcripts to the online application form in addition to the official transcripts described above. Your file will not be considered complete until official transcripts are received by the Office of the Registrar.
4. Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose should be uploaded to the online application. It should be between 3 and 5 pages and include specific information about:
- What prior educational and/or professional experiences have led you to apply to the LTS MA program
- How these experiences have prepared you for academic success in the LTS MA program
- What potential goals you have after the program, and what the LTS program offers that will help prepare you for these goals
- Your perspective on the role of language learning for your imagined future learners, and what approaches to language learning may be most effective for them
- What research directions would you like to pursue during your time in the program
5. Three letters of recommendation: Identify three persons familiar with your academic experience and your ability to be successful in an intensive Masters program. One letter can be from a prior or current supervisor if you have relevant professional experience. The online application requests you to supply contact information (name, position, institution, telephone number, and email) for each recommender. Upon submission of your online application, each recommender will be notified via email and provided with instructions on how to respond.
International Applicants and all Non-primary English Language Speakers:
6. TOEFL/IELTS Score: A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to the University of Oregon. Applicants who native language is not English must show proof of language proficiency through one of the following three methods:
PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the University of Oregon Graduate School has updated their English Language Proficiency Requirement for international applicants and any non-primary English language speakers. Please visit the Division of Graduate Studies website for the most up-to-date information.
7. Financial Statement (after the applicant has been admitted): International students who will be sponsored by the University of Oregon on an F-1 visa or J-1 visa must first obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility" Form I-20 or DS-2019 in order to schedule a visa appointment. Verification of a student's financial capability to pay tuition, fees, and living expenses for at least the first year of study is required before Form I-20 or DS-2019 can be issued. International students must submit supporting financial documents (e.g., Graduate Employment (GE) appointment contract, scholarship award letter, and/or bank statements). Please visit the International Student and Scholar Services website for more information prior to submission. The I-20 is the document required to apply for an F-1 student visa. The evidence you provide must be less than six months old.
Note: Applicants do not need a financial statement to apply to the program, but will be required to submit appropriate documentation after admission in order to receive I-20.
Required Financial Documentation for Issuance of I-20/DS-2019
Download and complete the Personal Information & Financial Verification Form and email, with supporting financial documents, to sevis@uoregon.edu.
Statement of Financial Support - required for student who will receive financial support from a personal sponsor such as a relative, friend, or employer.
Submission Instructions
1. Upload to the Online Application Form:
- Statement of Purpose
- Unofficial Transcripts
2. Send these documents to the Office of the Registrar:
- Official Transcripts (excluding degrees from UO, if applicable)
- TOEFL (international applicants only)
3. Send these documents to International Student and Scholar Services:
- Financial Statement (international applicants only, after applicant has been admitted)
ETS Institution code: 4846
Mailing Address for the Linguistics Department:
Department of Linguistics
Graduate Admissions
1290 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1290
Mailing Address for the Office of the Registrar:
Office of the Registrar
5257 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
Application Status
Applicants can track the progress of their admission material by accessing the University's online application. When applying, make note of your login credentials (username and password) for future reference. An application is not considered complete until all the materials have been received. Application files will not be forwarded to the Admissions Committees for review until they are complete.
Admission FAQs
I have taken SLAT courses at the University of Oregon. Are the admissions and credit requirements the same for me?
- Admissions process for applicants who have taken SLAT courses at UO: Students who have taken 400 level classes that count towards the UO Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) Certificate at UO may apply up to 12 credits of these courses towards the LTS MA program.
- Course and credit waivers: The following courses (up to 12 credits) will apply towards the LTS program if the student earned a 90% score or higher in the courses.
- LING 420 (Language, Mind, and Society, 4 credits)
- LING 444 (Second Language Acquisition, 4 credits)
- LT 435 (Design for Language Learning, 4 credits)
- LT 436 (Design for Learning Language Systems, 4 credits)
- LT 439 (Design for Language Learning Pronunciation, 4 credits)
- LT 428 (Culture, Language and Literature, 4 credits)
- Other 400 level courses that count as LTS electives may also count towards the LTS MA (up to the 12 credit limit).
SLAT-holding applicants are only required to submit two letters of recommendation instead of three, if one of the letters is from a faculty member who teaches SLAT/LT classes and the letter represents the overall performance of the student in the SLAT certificate courses.
As with all LTS applicants, applicants with SLAT coursework will still need to meet LTS admission standards to be admitted. Applicants with strong grades and recommendations will be most successful. Students with a grade below 90% (A-) in one or more SLAT courses, if admitted, will be asked to re-take the relevant course(s) at the graduate level in LTS.
I have taken the TEFL certificate courses at Western Oregon University. Are the admissions and credit requirements the same for me?
- Admissions process for WOU students who have taken TEFL certificate classes:Students who have taken the undergraduate TEFL certificate classes listed below at WOU will be required to submit only two letters of recommendation instead of three, if one of the letters is from a TEFL certificate faculty member and the letters represent the overall performance of the student in the TEFL certificate courses.
- Course and credit waivers:The following courses at WOU will substitute for the LTS courses listed below.
- Applicants who have completed LING 492 (Pedagogical Grammar, 4 credits) at WOU will not be required to take LING 520 (Language, Mind, and Society, 4 credits) at UO.
- Applicants who have completed LING 410W (Theories of Foreign Language Acquisition, 4 credits) at WOU will not be required to take LING 544 (Second Language Acquisition, 4 credits) at UO.
- Applicants who have completed LING 415 (Strategies in TEFL, 4 credits) at WOU will not be required to take LT 535 (Design for Language Learning, 4 credits) at UO.
As with all LTS applicants, applicants from WOU will need to meet LTS admission standards to be admitted. Applicants with strong grades and recommendations will be most successful. Students with a grade below 90% (A-) in one or more WOU TEFL courses, if admitted, may be asked to re-take the relevant course(s) at the graduate level in LTS. This is standard for UO SLAT (Second Language Acquisition and Teaching) certificate students who apply to LTS as well.
The Graduate School does not do conditional admits. In rare cases the department can petition the Graduate School to admit an applicant with scores that do not meet the minimum, in which case additional English classes are required. You should expect to meet all requirements to be considered for admission.
What is an official transcript?
Official copies are issued directly by the school, college, or university in a sealed envelope. They should bear the official stamp or seal of the institution as well as the signature of the appropriate official. If transcripts and certificates are not in English, provide a certified translation of the documents.
What should I do if I haven’t yet completed my degree?
If you have not yet finished the degree at the time of application, send the most up-to-date transcripts available. If you are accepted and enroll at the University of Oregon as a graduate student, you will be required to show proof of your degree within the first two weeks of your first term.
(for international students) How does taking courses online affect visa eligibility?
Your F-1 visa will not allow you to be in the United States while you take online courses. For the LTS program, you will complete the first term of online courses before entering the U.S. Your visa will allow you to enter 30 days before the Fall term begins. Please contact UO’s Office of International Affairs for information. http://isss.uoregon.edu/incoming-students
Apply to PhD in General Linguistics
We encourage applicants to reach out to faculty members you are interested in working with. Applicants should visit our faculty research page to learn more about faculty research interests and areas of specialization. Contact information can be found on our department directory.
As of Fall 2023, GRE scores are no longer required. If you have previously taken the GRE and would like to submit your scores, you are welcome to do so.
Questions: Direct admissions questions to the Graduate Coordinator, at linginfo@uoregon.edu.
How to Apply:
- Preparation
- Admissions Requirements
- Application Deadline
- Application Materials
- Submission Instructions
- Application Status
Preparation
A solid preparation in linguistics proper is an indispensable requirement for any further specialization at the graduate level, applied as well as theoretical. Although the faculty and courses deal with a wide variety of linguistics topics and issues, there are three facets of linguistics that are strongly emphasized in the graduate program:
- An empiricist approach to the study of language structure, variation, and change in acquisition and learning.
- An empirical approach to the methodology of linguistics research, which includes live data and fieldwork, as well as experimental and cross-linguistics orientations.
- An interdisciplinary emphasis on the place of human language in a wider natural context.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions into the MA program assumes the completion of the equivalent of the University of Oregon BA in Linguistics. Students without a BA in Linguistics or its equivalent will be expected to complete the following courses within their first year:
- Introduction to Phonology (LING 550)
- Functional Syntax (LING 551)
A grade of B or higher is required in these courses.
Applicants to the PhD program must submit, along with the graduate application, a sample substantial research paper of MA thesis. Applicants who intend to pursue a PhD should apply directly to the PhD program. It is not necessary to complete the MA first.
Application Deadline
The Fall term application deadline is December 1. We will begin taking applications in early October. Most students should begin in the Fall term. It rarely makes sense for new students to begin in Winter or Spring term because of sequencing of required courses.
Application Materials
Graduate Admission Application: This is a general application to the University of Oregon as well as the Linguistics Department application. A $70 non-refundable fee for domestic students, and a $90 non-refundable fee for international students, is collected by credit card. Applications are now open.
Transcripts
Official degree-awarded transcripts are required by the Office of the Registrar. All unofficial transcripts should be uploaded to your application for departmental review.
Request from your university a set of official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you received or will receive a degree (Bachelor's and subsequent degrees). Send these to:
Office of the Registrar
5257 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
Your file will not be considered complete until the transcripts are received by the Office of the Registrar.
Electronic Transcripts
If your degree institutions offer official electronic copies sent by a secured provider (i.e. National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment Scrip Safe etc.) you may have them sent to registrar@uoregon.edu directly from the institution. These are subject to review and verification of authenticity. We cannot accept PDF attachments sent via email. University of Oregon graduates need not send official transcripts of their degree.
Upload copies of your transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended (even those where you did not receive a degree) to the online application form (GradWeb). Please note transcripts for the department are uploaded to GradWeb and are not mailed to the department.
Transcripts from foreign countries should have an English version and a certificate of degree attached. If you have not yet finished the degree at the time of application, send the most up-to-date transcripts available. If you are accepted and enroll at the UO as a graduate student you will be required to show proof of your degree within the first two weeks of your first term. Please visit the Division of Graduate Studies transcripts page for further instructions on submitting official transcripts.
GRE Scores
PLEASE NOTE: AS OF FALL 2023, SUBMISSION OF GRE SCORES IS OPTIONAL
The GRE is no longer required. If an applicant wants to submit their GRE scores, the GRE code for the Institution (University of Oregon) is 4846. Applicants who wish to submit scores should self-report GRE scores within the application AND send an official score report.
For information about the GRE, write Education Testing Service, 1974 Center Street, Berkley, CA 94704, or Box 955 Princeton, NJ 08540 or call 1-800-537-3160 or visit website www.gre.org.
It takes five or six weeks for scores to reach the Linguistics Department, so be sure to take the exam in time for your scores to arrive before the application deadline, if you wish to submit them.
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose should include:
- Why you want to enter our specific program
- What has prepared you to enter the program
- What you are planning to do once you have completed the program.
It is usually 1 to 2 pages in length. Your statement of purpose can be uploaded to the online application.
Three Letters of Recommendation
Identify three persons familiar with your academic experience and your ability to carry out independent research. The online application requests contact information (name, position, institution, telephone number, and email) for each recommender. Upon submission of your online application, each recommender will be notified via email and provided with instruction on how to respond. After submitting your application, an online checklist becomes available and you can monitor receipt of your letters. At least three letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline of December 1.
Writing Sample (required for PhD applicants only)
Applicants to the PhD program must submit a sample research paper (substantial term paper, research article, or MA thesis). There is no minimum length, but the sample should demonstrate applicant's ability for graduate level research. Your writing sample can be uploaded to the online application.
Fee
There is an application fee of $70 for domestic students or $90 for international students. Fee waivers are available and more information is on the Division Graduate Studies application fee waivers page.
Graduate Employment (Funding)
Graduate assistantships (teaching, research, and administrative) are known as GEs at the University of Oregon. GEs receive a monthly salary, tuition remission, fee subsidy, and health insurance. A limited number of positions are available to first year students. There is no formal application for a GE. All incoming students are automatically considered for departmental support. Incoming graduate students for the PhD program who are accepted with GE support are guaranteed a GE position throughout their first four years of the graduate program, providing they continue to be in good standing, are making timely progress, and are showing satisfactory performance in their GE duties. However, our resources are very limited, and we have a limited number of positions available. Therefore, we encourage applicants to investigate other possible sources of financial support
Submission Instructions
1. Upload to the Online Application Form:
- Statement of Purpose
- Writing Sample (PhD applicants only)
- Unofficial transcripts from all universities or colleges attended
2. Send these documents to the Office of the Registrar:
- Official transcripts from institutions where you received a degree
3. Request scores sent to Institution Code 4846 from ETS:
- GRE Scores Official (optional)
- TOEFL/IELTS score report (international applicants and any non-primary English language speakers) Please visit the Division of Graduate Studies website for the most up to date information regarding language proficiency scores during COVID-19.
Mailing Address for Office of the Registrar
Office of the Registrar
5257 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
Application Status
Applicants can track the progress of their admission material by accessing the university's online application. When applying, make note of your login credentials (username and password) for future reference. An application is not considered complete until all the materials have been received. A final decision will not be made until the application file is complete