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Graduate Admissions

New students are admitted to the doctoral program once each year to begin in the Fall term. Application materials for all potential students must be submitted no later than December 1. The materials that students submit to Rackham are final. The Department of Linguistics will not add, switch, or modify application materials. 

Application materials must include:

  1. Completed Rackham School of Graduate Studies application
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Personal Statement
  4. Official transcripts of previous study
  5. Three letters of recommendation
  6. Sample of written work
  7. English Proficiency Exam Important: The Department of Linguistics test score requirements differ significantly from Rackham’s.

Information about the process of submitting an application is available from Rackham Graduate School Admissions. Look for the "University of Michigan-Ann Arbor" link under campus applications; applications open by the third week of September.

Prospective students should be sure to consult the Graduate Program RequirementsFaculty, and Research sections for information about fields of study at Michigan and/or faculty specializations. 

Additional questions? 

*Please do not share application materials or private personal documents through email.

Financial Assistance

Students in the graduate program are offered a funding package for up to five years of support. The financial package includes stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. 

Dual PhD Program for PhD Students from other Departments

The Individual-Initiated Doctoral Program (IIDP) is available to students who are already enrolled as PhD students in other  programs at the University of Michigan and would like to simultaneously pursue a doctoral degree in Linguistics as well. 

The Linguistics Department IIDP Application Process is specified here.