The Department of Linguistics accepts applications for its MA/Ph.D. program for admission in the Fall semester each year. We unfortunately do not offer Spring admission. The application is an online process through the Graduate School application portal. Please examine the information on this page in detail for instructions on how to apply. For further information see our FAQ page.
Deadlines
All admissions are for the Fall semester. We have two application deadlines: December 1 for applications to the PhD program, and April 1 for applications to the MA program. Incomplete applications can be considered but are at a significant disadvantage. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we are not always able to contact applicants regarding missing materials. We encourage you to double check your application and communicate with the graduate coordinator about any missing materials.
Note the GRE exam is no longer required as part of the application process, but applicants can optionally include it and it will be considered.
Admissions Timeline
December 1: Application to PhD program deadline. All complete applications received by this deadline will be considered for admission with financial aid. This includes all fellowships and assistantships that the department has available. The number of applications to our PhD program far exceeds available funding, so only a limited number of applicants will be offered admission with funding, and many applicants will be offered admission without funding.
December 1-February 1: the admissions committee reads all applications and meets to makes admissions decisions.
FEBRUARY 15-MARCH 15: PhD admission without funding and admission with funding decisions are sent.
April 1: Application to MA program deadline. MA applications are not considered for funding.
April 15: We encourage students to accept offers of admission and funding as soon as possible, but no later than April 15th.
APRIL 30: MA admission decisions are sent.
Admissions Criteria
We use a variety of criteria in determining which applicants will be most successful in our program. These include but are not limited to: GRE (not required) and TOEFL/IELTS scores, undergraduate and graduate academic records and prior preparation, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and the applicant’s statement of purpose. We also consider how well the applicant’s interests match faculty expertise and departmental emphases. In most cases, a brief virtual interview is also requested. Given this highly competitive admission process, not being admitted to our graduate program is not necessarily a statement about the applicant’s academic potential. Many qualified applicants are simply not a good fit for our program.
The University of Florida has minimum English language proficiency requirements for international applicants, including a 550 minimum on the TOEFL (80 internet-based TOEFL) or 6 on IETLS. Linguistics does not waive this requirement, regardless of educational background. We do not waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement for international applicants unless the applicant can demonstrate near native proficiency or is a citizen of a country where English is an official language. In some cases, a virtual interview can be conducted to determine proficiency.
The University of Florida offers ELI Conditional Admission for exceptional applicants who meet academic requirements but need English language instruction at UF’s English Language Institute (ELI) prior to beginning graduate study. The application process and admissions criteria are the same for Conditional Admission and regular admission. We do not offer a different application process for conditional admission. We do not grant conditional admission without a full application. If you are granted ELI Conditional Admission, the department will provide a letter of admission, which outlines the Graduate School’s requirements for meeting the English Language minimum requirement, as well as any additional conditions that the Linguistics program requires prior to matriculation the following year.
Application Process
As you follow the UF graduate school application instructions to prepare your application to the University of Florida Linguistics Department, almost all of your application materials can be submitted electronically. Begin with the online application. Your application should include
Online Application
- Statement of Purpose
This is a statement of your academic preparation and future plans. Indicate your interests and what area(s) of linguistics you intend to focus on in your studies and research. Also, indicate why you believe the UF Linguistics Department is a good match for you. Be as specific as you can. The text box in the online application is limited to 400-500 words, so please be mindful of the space remaining in the character counter. The essay cannot exceed the space available in the text box. - Transcripts (in English and in the original language)
Under Transcripts, upload official transcripts from each post secondary institution you have attended. - Resumé (optional)
Under Resumé/Other, use the Upload Resumé button to upload a copy of your CV or resumé. - Writing sample
If you are applying for the PhD, please upload a representative writing sample as a supplementary document with the Upload Other button under Transcripts/Other. A draft of your MA thesis or a research paper you’ve written for a class is sufficient. - Three letters of recommendation
You should request three letters of recommendation from people who can comment on your intellectual promise and skills that would make you a good researcher and graduate student. At least one letter should be from someone who has direct academic experience with you. Please have recommendations submitted electronically through the online application system. If your referees are unable to submit their letters of recommendation electronically, they can be emailed to the graduate coordinated at grad-admissions@ufl.edu. In this case, please have your referees fill out the letter of recommendation form and attach it to their letter of recommendation. - Assistantship/Fellowship application
If you are applying for financial support, please complete the following Assistantship/Fellowship application and upload it as Supporting Documentation under Special Programs Info in the application. You do not need separate letters of recommendation, but if one of your recommenders can speak to your teaching potential, that is helpful. Your separate essay for this application should speak to your teaching experience.
If the material above cannot be uploaded online, it may be emailed to grad-admissions@lin.ufl.edu or it can be sent via regular mail directly to the department at this address. However, we encourage electronic submission whenever possible as this makes it less likely material is lost in the mail.
Linguistics Department
Attention: Graduate Admissions
4131 Turlington Hall
PO Box 115454
Gainesville, FL 32611-5454
Mailed Elements
In addition to the online application, some elements must be sent as a hard copy directly to the UF Office of Admissions at the address below (NOT to the department). Note, these
UF Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
These materials include the following:
- GRE scores (optional)
Have ETS send your official GRE scores to the University of Florida. The institution code for the University of Florida is 5812. The GRE is entirely optional and your application will not be discounted for lacking one. - TOEFL/IELTS scores
International applicants must submit TOEFL or other approved scores demonstrating English proficiency. Minimum requirements are described at the UF Graduate School website here. The ETS institution code for the University of Florida is 5812. We do not waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement for international applicants unless the applicant can demonstrate near native proficiency or is a citizen of a country where English is an official language. - Official transcripts
Mail official transcripts from each post secondary institution you have attended to the UF Office of Admissions. Please note, we can evaluation your application using the unofficial transcripts you have uploaded, but you cannot be officially admitted until these official transcripts are received. - Degrees from foreign universities
If you have a degree from a foreign university, you must send the admissions office a copy of your degree certificate (diploma) in both the original language and an English translation. Please note, we can evaluation your application using the unofficial certificates you have uploaded, but you cannot be officially admitted until these official transcripts are received.