How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

Undergraduate Coursework and GPA

You must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

You also must have an undergraduate major in the intended language (Spanish). You may still be admitted to the program if you don’t meet this requirement, but you will be expected to take additional coursework. Courses will not apply to the 33 credits necessary for the M.A. degree.

Personal Statement

Submit a personal statement that describes your:

• Background in language and culture
• Academic experience
• Goals
• Reasons for pursing graduate study

Writing Sample

Include a photocopy of a paper from an advanced undergraduate course in Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Literary Studies, or Cultural Studies. Applicants with an undergraduate degree from a Spanish-speaking university may submit a writing sample in English or Spanish. All others should submit the writing sample in Spanish.

Letters of Recommendation

Have two letters of recommendation that address your academic training, language ability, and potential to succeed at graduate study.

One letter should preferably be written by a professor or instructor familiar with your academic work.

Letters must be on letterhead and uploaded directly by the evaluators.

English Proficiency Scores for International Students

International students from non-native English speaking countries are required to submit English proficiency scores, dated within two years of application, from one of the accepted testing agencies unless English waiver qualifications are met. See the minimum English proficiency scores by test.

Admission Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Coordinator