Applying to Rutgers Linguistics

The Rutgers Linguistics Department invites applications from qualified candidates interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Linguistics with an option of a certificate in Cognitive Science.  The Department does not admit students for a Master's degree. 

Requirements
In order to be considered for admission, applicants are required to submit GRE scores, TOEFL scores if English is not their native language, three letters of recommendation from people familiar with their work, a statement of purpose, two copies of official grade records and an application fee.  See Rutgers Graduate Admissions Home Page for details.  They are also strongly encouraged to send a writing sample in support of their application.  This could be a copy of a master’s thesis, a term paper, a research report or even a challenging assignment report.  A writing sample in a field related to linguistics would be acceptable if it demonstrates an ability to pursue serious scholarly inquiry.

Procedures
The application may be filed electronically at: Rutgers Graduate Admissions Home Page.  Application forms can be downloaded from the website or be mailed upon request from our department administrator.  Supplementary material should also be sent to the Graduate School. 

Deadlines
The deadline for application is February 1 for admission in the Fall semester of that year but we continue to accept applications until all seats are filled.  Decisions regarding admission are conveyed to candidates by the third week of February.  Students are not admitted in the Spring semester.  Note that the Presidential Fellowship described below has an earlier deadline of January 1.

Financial Aid
Admitted candidates are typically offered financial support for five years of study, provided they remain in good academic standing.  Financial support comes in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships and graduate assistantships.  Tuition remission and health benefits are included.  Fellowships have no teaching or other duties associated with them.  Teaching Assistants usually begin by leading discussion sections for the large introductory course in Linguistics, and then go on to teach one course per semester on their own.  Teaching duties may also be in language departments or the Rutgers Writing Program.  Graduate Assistantships involve working as research assistants on grants to faculty members.

In addition to the standard package, two special opportunities exist for incoming graduate students.  One is the Presidential Fellowship which carries a stipend of $30,000 per year for the first two years; another is the Torrey Fellowship which provides $24,000 per year for the first two years.

We welcome applications from international students.  All University Fellowships, Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Assistantships, except the Torrey Fellowship, are open to non-citizens as well. 

Since funding is limited, applicants are encouraged to pursue outside sources of support, such as the International Fulbright Commission, the National Science Foundation, the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program, the American Association of University Women, The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (for Canadians).  The Rutgers University Chaser Resource Center website also has detailed information on outside funding sources.

Housing
University housing is available to graduate students, if they apply for it. The Greater New Brunswick Metropolitan Area also provides much off-campus housing.  Many of our students live off-campus.

Further Questions
If you have other questions, please feel free to write, call, or email any faculty member. 
Further information can also be found here: http://nbpweb.rutgers.edu/prospective-students.shtml.

Departmental contact info
            Phone: 732-932-7289
            FAX:   732-932-1370
            Email: lingdept@rci.rutgers.edu

Graduate Program Director: Professor Alan Prince