PhD Admissions

All supplemental materials and requests for letters of recommendation will be be collected through the Online Application System with Graduate Division. See complete instructions on this page.

Who Can Apply

The basic requirement for the PhD program is the completion of an MA in second language studies, applied linguistics, TESOL, or second or foreign language education. We also welcome applicants with graduate degrees in related disciplines such as anthropology, education, modern languages, linguistics, and psychology, although some additional coursework may be needed. A degree in literature will not be suitable preparation for entry, however.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Graduate Faculty member(s) with whom they might wish to work.

Support

Each year, four years of guaranteed funding are offered to the four most qualified applicants to the PhD in SLS program, pending availability of funds. Financial assistance is in the form of a graduate assistantship (GAship) in teaching and/or research, as long as the enrolled student maintains a GPA of 3.5 or higher and takes 6 credits per semester (with the exception of those who have reached the dissertation writing stage, or ABD status). The graduate assistantship is a 0.50 FTE appointment that provides 100% tuition exemption; a stipend; and, after a minimum of three months, health plan benefits. Student fees are not covered.

Applicants who are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS by Graduate Division must meet the minimum score and subtest score requirements for graduate teaching assistants. Applicants who are exempt from having to take the TOEFL or IELTS are also exempt from the minimum score requirements for graduate teaching assistantship consideration (refer to table under How to Apply step 1, Take Standardized Exam).

Additional information regarding support can be found on the Financial Support for PhD Students and Funding pages.

How to Apply

APPLICATION DEADLINES	Fall Semester Enrollment	Spring Semester Enrollment
Doctor of Philosophy in Second Language Studies	January 1	September 1
	Semester begins in August.	Semester begins in January.

Click on each of the following steps for detailed instructions. All materials—online application and fee, letters of recommendation, and supplemental materials including score report(s) and transcript(s)—are due by the application deadline.

1. Take Standardized Exam

GRE

Required for all PhD applicants.
Scores cannot be more than 5 years old.
No minimum score required; preferred minimums shown in following table.

GRE	Analytical Writing	Quantitative Reasoning (QR)	Verbal Reasoning (VR)	QR + VR
SLS Preferred Minimum	3.5	150	150	300

TOEFL or IELTS

Required for most applicants whose first language is not English; see UHM Graduate Division policy on English Proficiency.
Scores cannot be more than 2 years old.
Minimum scores required for admissions and consideration for graduate assistantship.

	TOEFL iBT	TOEFL PBT	IELTS
Minimum for Admissions	100	600	7.0
SLS Preferred Minimum	105	620	7.5
Minimum for Graduate Teaching Assistantship	100 (25 L / 25 S)	600	7.0

2. Prepare Supplemental Materials

All supplemental materials are due by the application deadline.

i. Statement of Purpose
In a maximum of 1,000 words, outline your academic and professional objectives and reasons for applying to the PhD in Second Language Studies. Describe your research interests, possible areas for dissertation research, which faculty member(s) you are interested in working with, and career plans.

ii. Supplemental Information Form
Please download and complete the Supplemental Information Form (PDF, 1 page).

iii. Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae

iv. Unofficial Score Report
An unofficial score report for the GRE (and if required, TOEFL or IELTS) is required at the time of application.
Note. Admitted students are required to submit official score reports in order to enroll. If you wish to submit official scores at the time of application (this is not required), please refer to the instructions to Submit Official Test Score Report under the Document Requirements for Admitted Students section.

v. Unofficial Transcript(s)
One transcript is required from each postsecondary institution attended, including any study abroad or exchange programs, summer programs, and non-degree work and extension programs.
Note. Admitted students are required to submit official transcripts in order to enroll. If you wish to submit official transcripts at the time of application (this is not required), please refer to the instructions to Submit Official Transcript(s) under the Document Requirements for Admitted Students section.

vi. Research Paper(s)
Please submit 1–3 writing samples that provide evidence of your ability to do independent scholarly research. They can include your MA thesis, publications in books or journals, or other research reports.

3. Submit Online Application and $100 Application Fee

4. Request Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Letters from three individuals who have recent knowledge of your academic capacity are most helpful (e.g., current and past instructors, academic advisors, etc.) Generally, letters from employers or co-workers in non-academic settings do not provide perspectives on your academic abilities, but we will consider all references. Ideally, at least one reference should relate to your stated areas of interest, and all letters should be recent. Use of official university or institutional letterhead is preferred.

After logging in to the Graduate Application Supplemental Materials Upload Website, click Request a Recommendation for each of your recommenders. Use of official university or institutional email addresses is preferred.

5. Upload Supplemental Materials

Upload all documents in PDF format using the Graduate Application Supplemental Materials Upload Website.

For expediency, please use the following naming convention, including the numerals in the file names:
1_LastnameFirstname_SOP.pdf
2_LastnameFirstname_SuppInfo.pdf
3_LastnameFirstname_Resume.pdf or 3_LastnameFirstname_CV.pdf
4_LastnameFirstname_GRE
(IF REQUIRED) 4_LastnameFirstname_TOEFL or 4_LastnameFirstname_IELTS
5_LastnameFirstname_Transcript.pdf
5_LastnameFirstname_Transcript2.pdf
6_LastnameFirstname_ResearchPaper/Thesis/Publication.pdf

Additional/optional files:
6_LastnameFirstname_ResearchPaper/Thesis/Publication.pdf
6_LastnameFirstname_ResearchPaper/Thesis/Publication.pdf

Document Requirements for Admitted Students

Click on each of the following steps for detailed instructions.

1. Submit Statement of Intention to Register to Graduate Division

2. Submit Official Test Score Report

3. Submit Official Transcript(s)

4. FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Submit Confidential Financial Statement

International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses for a 9-month budget, including expenses for any accompanying spouse or children. Upon admission to UHM, only international applicants with proof of funding will receive visa documents.
Be sure to complete the Confidential Financial Statement for International Applicants as soon as possible to avoid delays in applying for your student visa.

5. FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Submit Health Insurance Documents

Health insurance is mandatory for international students, but the university encourages all students to think about their health insurance needs and enroll in a plan that provides adequate coverage.

Proof of health insurance must be submitted to the UH Student Health Insurance Office for those on a F-1 visa and to the International Student Services Office (ISS) for those on a J-1 visa. For more information, please visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa/?page_id=39.

**Spring 2021: Students intending to stay in their home countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic may request a health insurance exemption by contacting shio@hawaii.edu.

6. Submit Health Clearance Form

All students are required to meet the immunization requirements before physically attending classes at the university. For example, TB, MMR, Tdap, and Varicella are required for those planning to come to Hawaii. MCV is required for first-year students living in on-campus housing. For more information, please visit https://www.hawaii.edu/shs/health_clearance/. Please note that a record of immunizations, signed, or stamped by a US licensed practitioner or the Hawaii Department of Health may be submitted in lieu of the Health Clearance Form.

The University Health Services offers the TB test as well as the MMR and Varicella immunizations.

**Spring 2021: Students intending to stay in their home countries or on the mainland due to the COVID-19 pandemic may request a health clearance exemption by contacting uhsm@hawaii.edu.

Questions?

Email grdchr@hawaii.edu or call (808) 956-8374.

Prospective Students

Who Can Apply

Support

How to Apply

Document Requirements for Admitted Students

Questions?