Application Instructions – MA and PhD
Hispanic Linguistics and Hispanic Literary and Cultural Studies
For application instructions for the Master of Arts in Teaching of Spanish (License) and the Master of Arts in Teaching of Spanish, please see the page for the program in which you are interested.
Help and tips in Spanish (geared towards linguists but helpful for all)!
Basics Heading link
The application is fully online at https://applygrad.uic.edu/portal/programs. ALL items must be uploaded directly to the application. Please see below for details.
You will need first to submit a completed, on-line application and application fee (see below). The online application includes supporting documents that must be uploaded directly to the online application by the application deadlines. Please note that your recommenders will themselves receive a link to upload their own letters directly.
Any additional questions may be addressed to:
Prof. Luis Lopez-Carretero Heading link
Director of Graduate Studies for Hispanic Studies
Brenna Rice Heading link
Assistant Director, Academic Operations and Graduate Programs
Application Deadlines Heading link
| for... | domestic applicants | international applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | January 15 | January 15 |
| Consideration for nomination for a University Fellowship | December 15 | December 15 |
Application Items Heading link
A complete application consists of the following items:
Required Items - Domestic
- A Graduate College Application form, to be filled out on-line. applygrad.uic.edu/portal/programs
Search for: Hispanic - A non-refundable application fee of $70, to be submitted on-line. There is an additional fee of $100 for credential evaluation if you present any international course work.
Application Fee Waiver Programs for Domestic Students - Non-official proof of degree (diploma) and transcripts of course work from ALL undergraduate or graduate institutions attended. You must hold a BA degree or the equivalent in order to apply for the MA program.
Documents must be issued by your university’s registrar’s office. Online academic histories or advising/degree audit documents that can be obtained through student web portals are not acceptable.
If you are accepted, you will have one semester to submit official transcripts of course work from ALL undergraduate or graduate institutions attended, as well as official proof of all previous degrees earned.
Please, consult the UIC Admissions office domestic requirements page. - Three confidential letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with your previous academic work and your qualifications for graduate study in Hispanic literature or linguistics. Recommenders will receive a link via which to upload their letters (on letterhead from their academic institution).
- A 500-word “Statement of Purpose” in English or Spanish. Please address the reasons for which you are applying to our graduate program and explain in a clear and specific way why you are a qualified candidate for graduate level work in Hispanic literature or linguistics. If you are applying for the PhD, the statement of purpose should include a coherent description of your intended area of research or research project.
- One sample of your academic writing in Spanish if applying for the MA, and two sample research papers if you are applying for the PhD (at least one should be written in Spanish).
- A curriculum vitae or résumé.
- Students who wish to be considered for a Teaching Assistantship, the Department’s principal form of financial aid, must submit an Application for Graduate Appointment.
Please note that we do not need either a second set of three recommendations or a second personal statement; we can use the ones submitted as part of your application for admission.
Required Items - International
- A Graduate College Application form, to be filled out on-line. applygrad.uic.edu/portal/programs
Search for: Hispanic - A non-refundable application fee of $70, to be submitted on-line. There is an additional fee of $100 for credential evaluation if you present any international course work.
- Non-official proof of degree (diploma) and transcripts of course work from ALL undergraduate or graduate institutions attended. You must hold a BA degree or the equivalent in order to apply for the MA program.
Documents must be issued by your university’s registrar’s/records office. Online academic histories or advising/degree audit documents that can be obtained through student web portals are not acceptable.
English translations must accompany all documents that are in another language. Translations must be provided by the university or done by a certified translator, a translation agency, the consulate or a court-appointed translator. Translations should be on a translator’s letterhead and should be literal (not an interpretation or a paraphrasing). Plain translations, notarized translations, and translations done by someone other than a certified translator are not acceptable.
Please see the Admissions website for more detailed information including country-specific requirements.
If you are accepted, you will have one semester to submit official, attested transcripts of course work from ALL undergraduate or graduate institutions attended, as well as official, attested proof of all previous degrees earned. Additional details on the official document requirement for admitted students can be found on the Admissions website. - Three confidential letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with your previous academic work and your qualifications for graduate study in Hispanic literature or linguistics. Recommenders will receive a link via which to upload their letters (on letterhead from their academic institution).
- A 500-word “Statement of Purpose” in English or Spanish. Please address the reasons for which you are applying to our graduate program and explain in a clear and specific way why you are a qualified candidate for graduate level work in Hispanic literature or linguistics. If you are applying for the PhD, the statement of purpose should include a coherent description of your intended area of research or research project.
- One sample of your academic writing in Spanish if applying for the MA, and two sample research papers if you are applying for the PhD (at least one should be written in Spanish).
- Minimum English Competency Test Scores:
TOEFL 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based TOEFL)
OR
IELTS 6.5, with of 6.0 for all four subscores
OR
PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
Please note: results must be included in Graduate Appointment Application AND submitted directly to Office of Admissions (UIC Code 1851). - A curriculum vitae or résumé.
- Students who wish to be considered for a Teaching Assistantship, the Department’s principal form of financial aid, must submit an Application for Graduate Appointment.
Please note that we do not need either a second set of three recommendations or a second personal statement; we can use the ones submitted as part of your application for admission.
Financial Aid Heading link
All graduate students admitted to Hispanic Studies program (MA or PhD) are guaranteed financial support in the form of TA-ships which include a tuition waiver, a service fee waiver and a stipend. In addition, the Department may choose to nominate outstanding students newly admitted to the PhD program for the University Fellowship under the auspices of the Graduate College at the UIC. In the course of their studies, graduate students in the department of Hispanic Studies can apply for a number of merit based Department and University fellowships and awards.
For more information on University funding opportunities for graduate students, please visit the Graduate College funding page.
For any questions about TA-ships and RA-ships, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Hispanic Studies.
Problems? Questions? Heading link
If you are having difficulties with the application, contact the Director of Graduate Studies.