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LLSS Application Guidelines 

The following guidelines supplement information provided by the Office of Graduate Studies and the University of New Mexico Graduate Bulletin.

Applying for Admission to the Program

The Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies (LLSS) offers masters (M.A.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) degree programs that focus on language and literacy, American Indian education,  bilingual education, language acquisition and on the study of educational concepts and debates in the social foundations of education.  Candidates wishing to pursue a masters degree program of studies in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies must apply through the Office of Admissions.  The deadlines for masters degree applicants are: September 15th for Spring admission and February 1st for Summer and Fall admission.  Candidates wishing to pursue a doctoral degree must apply through the Office of Admissions.  The deadline for application materials to be submitted to the Office of Admissions is December 1st for a fall/summer or spring admission.  The faculty admission committee will only screen applicants for admission to the doctoral program once a year.  [These dates may change.  Please contact faculty or the LLSS Department office for confirmation.]

Talking with program faculty members  It is important that applicants for doctoral study speak with at least two members of our faculty before the deadline for admission.  Telephone interviews are acceptable for out-of-state applicants.  Admittance to the doctoral program is highly selective, and depends on a number of factors.  One important factor is whether there is a reasonably good fit between faculty expertise and your academic interests and anticipated professional future.  One member of the faculty must agree to serve as the chairperson of your Program of Studies Committee.

Your application file As a degree applicant, you should see that your application file contains the following materials:

1. The application for admission form and the residency information form (both forms are in the same document) should be completed and sent with the packet of materials.  If this is your first time applying or if you are a reapply or readmitted to the University of New Mexico graduate program a $50.00 application fee must also be included, payable to the University of New Mexico. 

2. On the application for admission form please use the following information:
    Line 15 Degree Sought:  Specify MA or Ph.D.
    Line 16 Department:  LLSS
    Line 17 Major Code:  MA-LLSS or PHD-LLSS

3. Submit two official copies of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all institutions attended (send one copy directly to the Office of Admission  & send the other set directly to the department).  A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (grade point average) is preferred for admission to the program, with emphasis placed on the last two years of course work.  All applicants must have received a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.  Formal training and experience in education is recommended, but not required. Submit one official copy of transcripts showing course work completed at the graduate level at all institutions attended (sent to the Office of Admissions).  A minimum GPA of 3.3 is required for admission to the doctoral program.

4. A letter of intent telling us why you wish to pursue a graduate degree in this concentration.  Please describe the professional future you are working toward and the way you think an advanced degree in Education will contribute toward that future.  Also indicate the degree you are seeking (M.A. or Ph.D.), and your preferred area of specialization: American Indian Education; Bilingual Education; Teaching English as a Second Language; Language Arts/Literacy; Social Studies; or Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies.

5. Three letters of recommendation from people who know your work.  These letters should tell us something about the writer’s assessment of your potential for graduate study, your motivation, discipline, human relations skills, and capacity for creative thinking.  (Use forms and follow guidelines).

6. Fill out the demographic form and send it back to the Dept. A curriculum vita or resume should be included in the packet of application materials. 

7. If you are applying to the doctoral program, send one or two samples of your academic writing.  One sample should show the use of research documentation and the ability to conduct research in a library. 

8. If you are an international student you must submit scores from the TOEFL examination with your application packet. The minimum scores for the TOEFL are set by International Admissions and the department has no control over these requirements.  If you have attended a college in the United States for your Bachelors or Masters Degree then this requirement is waived. See international admissions website.

Notification of admittance Admissions decisions will generally be made within a month of the application deadline.  You will be notified of our admittance decision by the Office of Admissions and the LLSS Department.  If admitted to the program, it is important that you contact the assigned advisor of your Program of Studies as soon as possible in order to begin developing your plan of studies.

Additional Information/Questions: Please contact the LLSS Department office at 505-277-0437.

Application packet: The application materials should be returned to:

U.S. National applicants: University of New Mexico Office of Admissions Attn: Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 4849 Albuquerque, NM, 87196-4849 (505)-277-2447

International applicants: Office of International Admissions University Services MSC06 3720 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 U.S.A.

Send items 4, 5, 6, & 7: University of New Mexico Language, Literacy & Sociocultural Studies MSC05 3040 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 (505)277-5829