Admission Requirements

Application deadline: January 15

In addition to the criteria below, applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements .

1. Official transcript from each college and university attended
2. Evidence of a master’s degree in applied linguistics or related field, with minimum graduate GPA of 3.00
3. A current Curriculum Vitae
4. Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should come from individuals who can assess the applicant’s academic preparation for advanced graduate work
5. One well-written sample of academic work (e.g. MA thesis, course paper, research project, published article, etc.)
6. Statement of purpose [1500 words maximum] that addresses the following questions:
   • What are your career objectives? What research issues are you interested in pursuing at UMass Boston?
   • How will a PhD in applied linguistics advance those objectives?
   • In what ways does the UMass Boston applied linguistics program address your particular academic, career, and personal goals?
   • What professional, personal, and academic experiences have especially equipped you for the challenges of pursuing a doctorate?
   • What personal strengths will you bring to your studies?
   • What personal limitations or hurdles do you anticipate having to address in order to complete the PhD program?
7. Language requirement: Proficiency in one non-native language is required. Please consult the Department of Applied Linguistics for more information.
8. For international students without an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper), 250 (computer based), or 100 (Internet-based), with a minimum score of 23 on the speaking section or an IELTS score of 7.0.