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School of Social Science and Global Studies

Application Guidelines

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Applications to the MATL program are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Application Deadlines: November 1, April 1, and August 1

All applicants from the United States must go to Graduate Admissions to begin the application process. The online system will prompt you for the items below. International students apply through International Admissions (see the section at the bottom of this page).

1. Official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). For information on the GRE, go to http://www.gre.org.

2. Official transcripts (sent directly from your university) for all previous undergraduate and graduate studies. Successful applicants in the past have had undergraduate grade point averages over the last two years of undergraduate study that range from 3.0 to 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students who obtain “regular admission” typically have a GPA of 3.0 or better. Conditional admission may be considered for applicants whose undergraduate grade point average and/or test scores do not meet the admissions standard but who show promise for success in graduate studies. The requirements for a change to regular admission will be stated at the time of acceptance into the program.

3. A current résumé or CV.

4. A statement of purpose written in the language you will be pursuing (English, French, or Spanish). Please write a 300-500 word statement indicating your career and professional goals and explaining why you want to pursue graduate study in language teaching. You might mention particular interests, academic accomplishments, travel abroad, teaching experience, or other relevant preparation.

5. Non-native applicants to the French and Spanish emphases should have an undergraduate degree in the language or present evidence of equivalent language experience (30 credit hours in the language). Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in the language will be required to either complete more coursework before being allowed to take language emphasis courses or take the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and score in the Advanced range. A copy of the test score must be sent to the Graduate Director. In cases where an applicant does not have an adequate background in the emphasis language, conditional admission may be granted with undergraduate language requirements and/or the ACTFL OPI set for full admission; such graduate students can begin MATL core courses while completing the prerequisites. This information pertains to heritage language speakers, but not to international students whose native language is Spanish or French. 

6. For international students whose native language is not English, official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required. Successful applicants will have a test score of at least 83, with no section lower than 19. The department will also accept an IELTS score of a 6.5, with no sub-test score below a 6. Please see the Graduate Student Handbook for more information.

7. Three (3) letters of recommendation are required by professionals, preferably those in the field, or former professors, advisors, etc., who are able to comment on your preparation to engage in graduate studies. These letters must come directly from the recommenders; the online system will email them, once you provide their email addresses.

 

APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Please carefully read the application guidelines above, and then go to International Admissions to begin the application process; click "Apply Here," and on the next page, choose "International Graduate Application." Note the different deadlines for international applicants.

Address:
International Student and Scholar Services
The University of Southern Mississippi
Post Office Box 5151
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5151
Phone number: 601-266-4841
Fax number: 601-266-4898
Email: intl@usm.edu

Follow this link to the Graduate School.