- The application for the Ph.D. in Second Language Studies for Fall 2027 will open during Fall 2026. When it opens, we will announce it here, so please check back frequently.
- Students seeking the M.A. in SLS will need to be admitted into the Ph.D. program. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program can receive the M.A. in SLS degree upon completion of M.A. requirements.
How to Apply
How to apply
Review the requirements listed in the Indiana University Graduate School Academic Bulletin.
To apply, please complete the online application for the University Graduate School or the Office of Admissions website. Domestic students can email official electronic versions to dsls@indiana.edu, or send official paper transcripts to:
Deadlines
International students: December 1
Domestic students: January 5 (Ph.D.), January 25 (M.A.)
(for full consideration for financial support)
Department of Second Language Studies
Attn: Admissions
Indiana University—Bloomington
Ballantine Hall 704
1020 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405
International students should submit their application and official transcripts to the Office of International Services. Additional fees for international students may apply.
Admission requirements
- Ph.D. in Second Language Studies
Admission to the Ph.D. program will be based upon evaluation of:
- Previous academic record
- Three letters of recommendation
- Previous exposure to TESOL/Applied Linguistics and related course work
- Required TOEFL / IELTS Scores
- Scores must reach a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL / 7.5 on the IELTS
- Scores must be no more than 2 years old at the time of application
- By policy, we are unable to grant any waivers to this requirement
- Statement of purpose
- Statement of research interests
- A single-authored writing sample
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Optional results from Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
- GRE results must be no more than 5 years old at the time of application
- Ph.D. Minor in Second Language Studies
Applicants must meet both university and program requirements, as listed in the Indiana University Graduate School Academic Bulletin.
- M.A. in Second Language Studies
Admission to the M.A. program will be based on evaluations of:
- Undergraduate grade record
- Three letters of recommendation
- Undergraduate exposure to linguistics and related course work
- Statement of purpose
- A single-authored writing sample
- Curriculum vitae
- Optional results from Graduate Record Examination General Test
- GRE must not be older than 5 years at the time of application
- Required TOEFL / IELTS Scores
- Scores must reach a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL / 7.5 on the IELTS
- Scores must be no more than 2 years old at the time of application
- By policy, we are unable to grant any waivers to this requirement
Students not satisfying requirement (3) may be admitted, but may be required to do course work prerequisite to introductory graduate courses.
- M.A. in Tesol and Applied Linguistics
Admission to the M.A. program will be based on evaluations of:
- Undergraduate grade record
- Three letters of recommendation
- Undergraduate exposure to linguistics and related course work
- Statement of purpose
- A single-authored writing sample
- Curriculum vitae
- Optional Results from the Graduate Record Examination General Test
- GRE must not be older than 5 years at time of application
- Required TOEFL / IELTS Scores
- Scores must reach a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL / 7.5 on the IELTS
- Scores must be no more than 2 years old at the time of application
- By policy, we are unable to grant any waivers to this requirement
Students not satisfying requirement (3) may be admitted, but may be required to do course work prerequisite to introductory graduate courses.
- Certificate in TESOL and Applied Linguistics
Applicants must meet both university and program requirements
- Optional results from the Graduation Record Examination or GRE (General Test)
- International students must demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in English before being admitted to the Department by taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and receiving a score of 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, and 100 on the IBT. TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years after the date of the test. The Institution Code for the TOEFL is 1324. The Department Code for the TOEFL is 99. There is no waiver for the TOEFL.
- Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation.
- Applicants must provide two copies of all official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. These transcripts should bear the official seal of the institution registrar, and show grades for all courses in which the student was enrolled.
- All applicants should include a statement of purpose of at least 300-500 words and a Curriculum Vitae. Ph.D. students must also include a 5 page statement of research interests.
- A single-authored writing sample.
The program does not offer conditional admissions. Applications are only accepted for fall admissions. The deadline for application by international students is December 1. The deadline for domestic students is January 1.
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