HOW CAN I APPLY?

Application materials are available through the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, which has both U.S. (including Puerto Rico) and international student applications that you will complete.

If you are applying for the Master's program in TESL & Linguistics you must select "Graduate, New Graduate, MA-TESL & Linguistics" in the online application. For the TESL/TEFL Certificate Program, you must select "Graduate, Non-Degree, CLG-Teaching Eng as a Second Language/Foreign Language Certificate" in the online application. 

CAN I BEGIN MY GRADUATE STUDIES DURING THE SUMMER?

Students may begin the TESL/TEFL Certificate in the summer through online classes. This program can be completed entirely online in two summer semesters. It is not possible to begin the MA in TESL & Linguistics in the summer.

DO YOU REQUIRE THE GRE? TOEFL?

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics does not require the GRE.

International applications must submit official documentation of English proficiency showing that they have met the requirements for proficiency. Please see ISU's requirements for English proficiency at Degree Seeking Application. It should be noted that international applicants from English-speaking countries or former British colonies may be exempted from the above TOEFL requirements. Please see the College of Graduate and Professional Studies Page to view a detailed listing of Exempt Countries. 

HOW DO I APPLY TO TAKE THE TOEFL?

Follow the instructions at the TOEFL website. When you apply to take the TOEFL, you will need Indiana State University's Institution Code, which is 1322, and the Department Code for Linguistics, which is 04. 

HOW MANY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REQUIRED?

We do not require any letters of recommendation. Instead, we require a list of three refrences that must in lude the name, job title, affiliation/school, and contact information for each reference.

HOW MUCH DOES TUITION COST AT ISU?

See the information at Costs & Aid.

ARE GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AVAILABLE? DO GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP COVER FEES?

Yes, graduate assistanships are abailable on a competitive basis. Primarily these assistantships are to teach English as a second language, or to teach French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, or other frequently taught foreign languages. Assistantships may also be given as research assistants working with faculty. Our graduate assistantships come with tuition waiver and a stipend. Graduate assistantships may also be available for other units on campus. Please visit the university's employment website to search for open assistantships. While, graduate assistantships come with a tuition waiver (not always for the total amount of tuition), the student is responsible for paying his or her own fees. Students are personally responsible for building facilities and student services fees, as well as any other required university fees, for the period of the contract. Please note that the earlier you apply, the higher your likelihood of being considered for an assistantship.

ARE RESIDENCE HALLS AND APARTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT ISU?

There are apartments available for MA graduate students at 500 Wabash and University Apartments. You can find out more information at the website for Residential Life.

WHO ISSUES THE I-20 FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? HOW CURRENT DOES FINANCIAL SUPPORT INFORMATION HAVE TO BE?

The International Programs and Services issues the I-20. You will need to provide current evidence (not more than 6 months old) of sufficient financial support to receive your I-20

WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

Ma and Certificate graduate applications for Fall may not be ensured full consideration if they are received after April 1. Certificate graduate applications for Summer may not be ensured full consideration if they are received afer April 1. MA and Certificate graduate applications for Spring may not be ensured full consideration if they are received after November 1.

The Department reviews applications as soon as they arrive in our office, but delays sometimes occur in the International Programs and Services and/or the Graduate School, both of whom review applications and hold them until they are complete before sending them to the Department. If you have not received a response to your application within two weeks, contact LLL at isu-lll@indstate.edu to determine the status of your application.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE GRADUATE TESL/TEFL CERTIFICATE?

The number of semesters required to complete the certificate depends upon which courses are offered during the semesters in which you are enrolled and how they fit into your schedule. Typically, students who take online courses complete the certificate sooner if they choose to take classes on campus during the Fall and Spring semesters in addition to the online summer courses.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE MASTER'S PROGRAM?

The M.A. is designed to take 4 semesters, with students entering in the Fall and graduating the Spring semester of their second year. Students may take summer classes in order to graduate in December of their second year. However, please note that completing the MA in less than two years is more difficult as it requires a faster completion of the MA culminating experience. 

CAN I TRANSFER CREDITS FROM ANOTHER UNIVERSITY?

Graduate students who want to receive transfer credits from courses taken at other universities (up to 9 credits) should send to the LLL Graduate Program Director, the name of each course being considered for transfer credit, the catalog description of the course, the course syllabus, and the grade received in the course. The student's transcript from that university should be sent to the Graduate School, along with the Application for Transfer of Graduate Credit from Other Institutions. If the Graduate Program Director deems that the course content is appropriate for transfer, he/she will make a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School, who will make the final decision, including how many hours of credit will transfer. Other information about Transfer Credit is available in the Graduate Catalog

WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GRADUATE TESL/TEFL CERTIFICATE?

The Departmental admission requirements for the graduate certificate are the same as those for the master's program, since you will be taking courses alongside master's students. See the requirements set forth in the Graduate Catalog

I WANT TO START TAKING CLASSES, BUT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO THROUGH REGULAR ADMISSION PROCESS. WHAT CAN I DO?

Students who find themselves in this situation sometimes take classes their first semester as an "unclassified student." As stated in the graduate catalog, "Unclassified student admission status is intended for applications who wish to take a limited number of graduate courses for various reasons but are not seeking admission to pursue a degree, educational licensure, or an Indiana State University certificate. A maximum of 12 credits taken as an unclassified student may be transferred to a degree program. Upon approval by an academic unit, applicants may be permitted to take certain graduate courses on a semester-to-semester basis, depending on availability of space and the applicant's academic performance. To be considered for admission with unclassified status, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements: Posses an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Submit to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies a fully completed Non-Degree Admission Application with a non-refundable admission application fee."

I AM GRADUATING WITH A B.A. FROM AN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT FROM MY EARLIER UNIVERSITY/UNIVERSITIES?

Yes, you must submit one official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. Transcripts will be accepted as official only when they are sent directly to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies from the registrar of the institution.

WHAT HEALTH COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE?

Due to the high cost of medical care in the United States, Indiana State recommends that all international students with F1 and F2 visa, and their dependents, be covered by a health insurance policy at all times during their stay in the USA. It is mandatory that students with J-1 visas and their dependents be covered by a health insurance policy at all times during their stay in the USA. Students may purchase either the health insurance recommended by the UAP Clinic - ISU Health Center or other health insurance plans that are valid in the USA. For information on the insurance policy recommended by the UAP Clinic - ISU Health Center, visit myisuinsurance.com. U.S. students will generally retain their current health care coverage, but they may also purchase the health insurance recommended by the UAP Clinic - ISU Health Center.