Apply to the Ph.D. Program

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1st

All applications must be submitted electronically through our online application system.

For questions about the application process, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator: michelle.carbone.1@stonybrook.edu

For questions about degree requirements or financial support, contact the PhD Program  Director: jiwon.yun@stonybrook.edu

For admission to the Ph.D. program, the following are normally required:

• Official School Transcripts
  • Applicants are to submit all official transcripts from the college/institutions where their degree was conferred.
  • Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (or its foreign equivalent) on a four-point scale. If you have attended graduate school and obtained a master’s degree, and the GPA is over 3.0, then the GPA of the undergraduate school can be below 3.0 for regular admission.
  • Bachelor's degree: Applicants must present evidence that a bachelor's degree will be awarded by the time they begin graduate work.
  • Please review the Application Checklist in the link below: The link includes the mailing and email address for both physical mail and official electronic transcripts. https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/grad/admissions/apply/graduate-programs.php?accordion=content-d19e237
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
  • Letters of recommendation from three former instructors are required. If the applicant already has pertinent work experience, e.g. as part of a software development team, some of these letters can also be from employers who are qualified to comment on the candidate’s qualifications. Your letters of recommendation are generated through SLATE at the time of the application; the recommender can they reply electronically.
• Writing sample
  • a short paper written for a previous course, ideally related to language.
• Personal Statement
  • A brief personal statement regarding your experience and interest in the program.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  • An entire history of your academic experiences and scholarly achievements.
• English Proficiency Score
  • Non-native speakers of English must present a minimum score for either the TOEFL or IELTS tests as below:
    • TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 90
    • IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with no subsection recommended to be below 6
  • There is no need to submit an English language proficiency test if:
    • you hold a degree such as a high school diploma, bachelors, masters, or PhD from an institution where the primary instruction was in English. 
    • you are a US citizen (or US National) or Permanent Resident.
    • you served as a Teaching Assistant at an institution where the primary instruction was in English.
  • For English Speaking Proficiency Requirements to Serve as a Teaching Assistant, see the relevant page on the Graduate Bulletin.

Acceptance
Students must be accepted by both the Department of Linguistics and the Graduate School.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
We do not require a GRE score.

For general information on the admissions process, see the Graduate bulletin.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is awarded in the form of assistantships, fellowships, and tuition scholarships (these sources of financial support are primarily offered only to Ph.D. students). There are special opportunities for students of African-American, Hispanic, or Native American background (M.A. students within this program are generally only considered for these types of financial support). Applicants are also encouraged to explore opportunities for external funding independent of departmental and university resources.

• If any material is missing from your application, you will be notified by email. Be sure we have the correct email address for you.