For admission to the M.A. or Ph.D. programs in Languages and Cultures of Asia, the applicant must meet both the Department’s and the Graduate School’s admission criteria. A student whose native language is not English may be accepted on probationary status for one year.

Admission into the Ph.D. program: an M.A. in the Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia (or an
equivalent M.A.) is a prerequisite for admission into the Ph.D. in Languages and Cultures of Asia. For students with an M.A. from outside the Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia, the equivalency of that M.A. is determined by the Academic Programs Committee.

All application materials are available on the web.
If you need a paper copy please e-mail the Graduate Coordinator or call 608-262-3012.

• Writing Sample(s). MA applicants are required to submit one writing sample. Ph.D. applicants are required to submit two writing samples. Each must be from a different discipline. The admission committee will use the writing sample(s) for evidence of competence in English composition and the ability to think critically. There are no guidelines about particular topics or lengths.

• Reasons for Graduate Study. Include a brief overview of your current degree goals, your professional aspirations, and your reasons for selecting this field of study.

• Official Transcripts. Submit official transcripts from all post-high school institutions attended. *International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and an official signature(s).

• Three Letters of Recommendation. Click here for online Recommendation Form. See our Guidelines for Requesting Letters of Recommendation.

• GRE Scores. GRE scores are not required but are highly recommended. GRE scores are, however, required if you are applying for financial support other than the Advanced Opportunity Fellowship. Our institution code number is 1846. Since we receive the scores electronically, no department code is needed.

• Graduate School Admission Requirements. Information is available online at http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/requirements.html.

• Graduate School Checklist. A checklist is available online at http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/gschecklist.html.

• Graduate School Application. The application is available on-line at https://www.gradsch.wisc.edu/eapp/eapp.pl.

• Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). An admitted applicant whose TOEFL (paper-based) test score is below 580; TOEFL computer-based test (CBT) score below 237; or new iBT below 92 or IELTS below 7 requires the Dean's approval and must take an additional English assessment test upon arrival. You must then register for any recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s) in the first semester you are enrolled.

Contact Person:

LCA Graduate Coordinator

608-262-3012
langasia@wisc.edu