Apply for the Linguistics MA Degree

Join an information session! 

We are holding two open information sessions with our academic advisor, Dr. Rebecca Scarborough, and you are welcome to join and ask questions. The sessions will be on:

Friday, October 16 at 11am (UTC-6) and Friday, November 6 at 5pm (17h) (UTC-7)

Please note that we are currently in Mountain Daylight Time and in November we change back to Mountain Standard Time.  If you would like to attend, please fill out this registration form and the day before the session, we will send you the zoom link to join.

Apply to the MA program using the online Graduate School Application
 

Application requirements 

Your statement should explain your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in linguistics and might discuss: 

  • your background or past work that is relevant to your current interests; and
  • how you see your interests developing now and in the future.

You do not need to include detailed plans. The admissions committee is looking for your thoughts on the issues you are passionate about within linguistics and the ways in which our graduate program will support them.

Your application must include unofficial transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you have attended. See the instructions for uploading unofficial transcripts to your application. You will only need to provide official transcripts  after you are recommended for admission. 

Request letters from faculty or mentors who know your work and understand your goals for graduate study. The most impactful letters are those that speak to your past performance, your preparation, and your potential as a student and researcher. It is usually helpful to share your draft statement of purpose with your recommenders so that they can directly address your interests and plans.

International applicants whose language of post-secondary education was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by providing a score of: 

Please consult CU Boulder's English proficiency requirements for international students for full details.

GRE scores may be optionally uploaded. Visit the Educational Testing Service GRE website for information about the format of the GRE, exam dates and locations, registering for the exam, and ordering score reports.

Deadline for application to the following Fall term

MA Applications deadline: January 5 for all applicants (domestic and international). 
All application materials and letters of recommendation must be uploaded by this date.

Please also see the Applications Frequently Asked Questions, with information on application fee waivers, additional requirements, the application timeline, and more. 

  If you have additional questions, click here  

Who can apply?

You! The Linguistics Department welcomes students with varying backgrounds. Although some graduate students have a BA in linguistics, successful MA applicants have come from areas as diverse as teaching, English literature, foreign languages, law, anthropology, sociology, history, chemistry, physics, music, mathematics, and computer science. Your statement of purpose should reveal knowledge of the field of linguistics, even if you have not as yet trained in the field.