World Languages and Literatures

How to Apply

 

Application Deadlines
Application Process
Admissions Requirements
Graduate Teaching Assistantships

 

Applications and related information below are for the Master of Arts (MA) in German, Japanese, and Spanish and the Master of Arts (MA) in World Languages and Literatures.

The admission process will be delayed if your application is incomplete. Admission to graduate study is granted on the basis of evidence of suitable preparation and the probability of success in the intended field of study.

If you do not register for the term to which you are admitted, your admission will be automatically cancelled unless you notify Graduate Admissions and the Department of World Languages and Literatures of your intent to change the date of enrollment. Written notification must be given prior to the term for which you are admitted. Failure to supply complete and accurate information will subject you to the University's policies governing academic dishonesty.

 

Application Deadlines

All programs have rolling admission deadlines and admit fall, winter, and spring terms. Currently, we do not admit for summer term and do not offer any graduate classes in the summer term for masters in Japanese, Spanish, and World Languages and Literatures. The application will close approximately one month before the start of the term applied for, however you can submit an application at any time of the year. We recommend submitting application materials as far in advance of the term you are applying for as possible, in order to allow time for processing.

Students can apply for all World Language masters programs at any time; even if Fall term has passed, we offer rolling admissions to admit students throughout the year. However, if you wish to be given priority consideration for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, you must submit your fall term application by February 15**. Applications received after February 15 may still be considered if GTA positions haven't been filled, so we encourage you to apply regardless of the date. Please do not allow a passed deadline to prevent you from applying. Students should reach out to world@pdx.edu if they have any questions about past deadlines or GTAship opportunities.

 

ProgramSpring 2025Summer 2025Fall 2025Winter 2026
World Language: German, MAFebruary 15, 2025May 15, 2025August 15, 2025December 1, 2025
World Language: Japanese, MAFebruary 15, 2025N/AAugust 15, 2025December 1, 2025
World Language: Spanish, MAFebruary 15, 2025N/AAugust 15, 2025December 1, 2025
World Languages and Literatures, MAFebruary 15, 2025N/AAugust 15, 2025December 1, 2025
**In order to be given priority consideration for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship for one of the above masters programs (with the exception of German)...  February 15, 2025
(for priority consideration for a GTA position)
Applications received after Feb 15 may still be considered if GTA positions haven't been filled		 

 

Application Process

Applications are submitted electronically through the Graduate School.

After your application has been submitted, you will be able to log back in and monitor the status of your letters of recommendation. You can send a reminder to your recommenders, add new recommenders, or edit information about an existing recommender. Contact Graduate Admissions for information about the application process and how to login in to your application portal to view the status of your application. 

Required Supplemental Materials

All supporting documents described below will be uploaded through your online application. 

  1. One unofficial transcript for each post-secondary institution attended. If you are accepted into the program and decide to attend, you must submit official transcripts to the Graduate School before you can register for classes for your first term of attendance.
  2. Two letters of recommendation* from individuals with whom you have studied or who know your work.
  3. Written statement (1-2 pages) detailing your background and indicating goals and reasons for selecting this field as a future profession.
  4. A writing sample (approximately 10 pages) from your most recent coursework in the language(s) for which you are applying.

*Letters of Recommendation: In the application, fill out the recommender's contact information. Click on "Submit Recommendation Request" to send an automated request via email. The recommender will then receive an email with a link that they will follow to upload your letter of recommendation.  You can send out these requests before submitting your application. 

 

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission must meet the University admissions requirements as well as the following departmental requirements:

Master of Arts in World Language

  1. A Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent in the major language, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all coursework.
  2. Oral and written proficiency: Advanced High on the ACTFL scale in German, and Spanish; Advanced Low in Japanese.
  3. We do not require the GRE.

Master of Arts in World Languages and Literatures

  1. In the primary language:
    • Bachelor of Arts in the language with a 3.00 GPA in the literature courses, or its equivalent as determined by the Department;
    • Oral and written proficiency: Advanced High on ACTFL scale
  2. In the secondary language: demonstration of third-year proficiency
  3. We do not require the GRE.

 

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Graduate Teaching Assistantships in World Languages and Literatures provide professional teaching experience as well as financial support for qualified students regularly admitted to WLL graduate programs. We offer a limited number of assistantships for the M.A. programs in Japanese and in Spanish. Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) receive a stipend and a 9-credit tuition and fee remission per term during the terms that you are contracted to teach. See PSU and GEU CBA for more details. 

Employment for GTAs is not guaranteed. It is subject to budgetary needs. Depending on funding, GTA positions can be renewed for one academic year, for a total of two academic years.

To be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, you must apply for fall term admission and applications are due by February 15 for priority consideration. Applications received after February 15 may be considered if GTA positions haven't been filled. To apply, check the box on the departmental application when you are asked if you would like to be considered for a Graduate Assistantship. No additional application is necessary.

 

Questions?

Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator at world@pdx.edu.

How to Apply