To begin your application, first create an account at the Application Portal of the Georgetown Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. This is the only portal you’ll use to submit your application materials. All application materials are due by January 15 for a fall start in the same year.
Note that the MLC program in the Department of Linguistics does not require a GRE test. Research shows that standardized test scores do not predict graduate school performance. Standardized tests like the GRE are barriers that cost time and money and place a disproportionate burden on applicants.
View the more detailed information on application materials on the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Application Page. Briefly, here are the basic materials you need:
Application Materials:
- Academic statement of purpose (500 words). This statement should address your intellectual interests, academic and professional objectives, and the preparation you have to begin a graduate program in linguistics. No previous formal linguistics study is required to apply, but we hope you show through your statement that you understand what the field of linguistics is. Let us know some of the academic topic(s) of interest to you in our program.
- Optional statement of diversity, personal background & contributions (500 words). As Georgetown is a diverse, global community, we encourage you to upload a brief statement help the Department Admissions Committee understand the contribution your personal background would make to our community. You may wish to address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g., first generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g., community service and leadership) will contribute to the Georgetown community.
- Writing sample: About 8-15 pages of writing in either 1) an academic genre such as a research paper, term paper, or research proposal. The topic does not have to be in linguistics if you have never studied linguistics before. Or 2) A longer piece of professional writing (grant proposal, program evaluation, report, white paper, etc.). This is so we can see how you structure a longer piece of writing.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from academic or professional supervisors. We recommend at least 2 of the 3 letters be written by academic faculty who are familiar with your academic work. These letters should all address your potential for graduate study.
- Unofficial transcripts from previous undergraduate and graduate institutions. You may submit unofficial transcripts with the understanding that you will then submit official transcripts upon offer of admission. Please refer to the Graduate School’s Application Procedure page for more information.
- A TOEFL or IELTS score report: These test reports are only for applicants who have not attended an English-language medium institution of higher education. TOEFL minimum score: 100. IELTS minimum band: 7.5. Georgetown’s code for your report to be sent to us is 5244.
- Application fee: USD 90.00
Applications are due on January 15 for admission in the Fall semester of the same year.
When complete, your application will be sent to the Director of the MLC program, who will review it with other sociolinguistic faculty as part of the Department Admissions Committee. You should receive a response about 6 weeks following the application deadline.
Offers of admission will be accompanied by an offer to visit campus (virtually or in person) for an Admitted Students Day in mid-March.
You can find information about graduate tuition cost and funding sources at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Office of Student Financial Services website. The Department of Linguistics does not offer merit-based tuition scholarships nor Teaching Assistantship positions for Master’s students. The Department can provide information about a limited number of paid Graduate Assistant positions both in the Department and in other units across campus.
You are welcome to communicate at any time with Director, Master’s Programs, Dr. Alexandra Johnston, about the materials you plan to submit. I’ll answer your questions about requirements, framing your statement statement of purpose, coursework, and our Georgetown community. You are welcome to reach out for a discussion to see if the MLC is right for you and to make your application the best it can be.