As of 2024, we are not admitting students into our M.A. programs, except in cases where an applicant comes with their own multi-year funding. However, M.A. degrees are available to our Ph.D. students who complete all requirements in the course of pursuing their Ph.D. degree. We also continue to invite students to apply to the M.S. in Computational Linguistics. For more information, please contact lingdept@iu.edu.
How to Apply
Application & Admission
Our department welcomes all who have decided to pursue an advanced degree in the Indiana University Department of Linguistics.
To be considered, your application must be fully completed. The graduate online application is where you will upload:
- TOEFL exam (International students) – Passing score of 92 IBT (580 paper-based) or 7.0 on the IELTS
- Official transcript(s) – listing grades in each course taken at accredited institutions of higher learning
- Note: Domestic applicants must have their transcripts sent directly from the institution to our department (IU Linguistics Graduate Admission, Ballantine Hall 504, 1020 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405) during the admissions process.
- International applicants can use non-official transcripts during the admissions process, but official transcripts must be submitted if they are admitted. When submitting official transcripts, international applicants must submit their transcripts to: Office of International Services, Indiana University, Ferguson International Center, 330 N. Eagleson Ave, Bloomington, IN 47406.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose (300-700 words) – This should provide a thoughtful, informative statement detailing your reasons for wishing to pursue a graduate degree in the Department of Linguistics and the direction of study you intend to pursue.
Please note that GRE scores are not required for admission into any of the graduate degrees in the Department of Linguistics.
The application portal for the 2026-2027 academic year opens September 3, 2025.
International applicants (PhD and MS)
Our Fall 2025 (August) application deadline for all international applicants is December 1, 2025.
Domestic applicants (PhD)
Our Fall 2025 (August) application deadline for domestic PhD applicants is January 5, 2026.
Domestic applicants (MS)
Our Fall 2025 (August) application deadline for domestic MA/MS applicants is January 25, 2026.
Admissions requirements
Students entering the graduate degree program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
- Ph.D. admission requirements
Admission to the Ph.D. program will be based upon evaluation of:
- Previous academic record
- Three letters of recommendation
- Previous exposure to linguistics and related course work
- Compatibility of interests with those of the faculty
- M.S. admission requirements
Admission to the M.S. program will be based on evaluations of:
- Undergraduate grade record
- Three letters of recommendation
- Undergraduate exposure to linguistics and related course work
Students not satisfying requirement (3) may be admitted but may be required to do course work prerequisite to introductory graduate courses.
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