Linguistics and Applied Language Studies

This major in Linguistics and Applied Language Studies is designed to train advanced students in the field in using principled, empirical approaches to address language-related issues in the 21st century. Our faculty are equipped to meet the needs of students with diverse interests in the field. Possible careers for graduates from this program include university teaching, language program administration, and industry careers involving linguistic research and analysis. By the end of the major, our students will be able to:

• develop a strong knowledge base in the content areas of this field, including key topics, major lines of inquiry, current trends, and remaining questions;
• develop expertise in critical thinking as well as in oral and written communication for academic and non-academic audiences;
• contribute their expertise to advancing knowledge about the critical role of language(s) in a global society;
• demonstrate mastery of research methods and use these methods to design and conduct independent research on various topics in this field;
• contribute to the advancement of this field through scholarly publications and conference presentations;
• gain experience in teaching undergraduate courses;
• participate in professional activities in this field at national, regional, and local levels.

Major Research Areas:
Applied Language Studies, Applied Linguistics, Corpus linguistics, Discourse analysis, Individual differences, Intercultural communication, Language assessment, Second language acquisition, Second language learning and teaching, Second language phonology, Second language writing, and Text analysis.

Each applicant to a graduate degree program at the University of South Florida is required to meet the following minimum requirements. Applicants should check with their program of interest to see if there are any additional application requirements (e.g. test scores, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose and resume).

• The equivalent bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees from a foreign institution. Bachelor’s degrees from institutions in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) are considered equivalent based on the Bologna Accord. For applicants with a 3-year bachelor’s degree with less than 120 hours, from non-Bologna Accord institutions, a transcript evaluation from a NACES member is required to confirm equivalency.

• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in one of the following ways:
  • All completed undergraduate coursework
  • All completed graduate coursework

1. Submit Your Application

Complete the USF online application or the Common App application.

2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.

3. Submit Official Transcripts

Send original or certified copies of academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work to USF.

• Include a certified English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.

• We can accept digital copies of these secondary and post-secondary school records emailed directly from an appropriate official at your school to [email protected]. Alternatively, mail your transcripts via post to:

University of South Florida
Office of Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620
United States 

If you have completed all 4 years of high school in the U.S., you will need to submit your coursework and grades via the Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) website. If you have attended any overseas high school, you will need to submit your official transcripts.

4. Submit Official SAT or ACT Scores

If you are submitting ACT scores, you are required to submit scores for the Writing section, per Florida Board of Governors requirements. 

• SAT Code for USF: 5828
• ACT Code for USF: 0761