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 master's (M.A.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) degree programs that focus on language and literacy, bilingual education, language acquisition and on the study of educational concepts and debates in the social foundations of education.

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 registration information form should be completed and sent with the packet of materials. If this is your first time applying to the University of New Mexico graduate program a $40.00 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:	451

   
   
3. Submit two official copies of your undergraduate transcripts from all institutions attended (sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies OGS). 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 bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Formal training and experience in education is recommended, but not required.

   Submit two official copies of transcripts showing course work completed at the graduate level at all institutions attended (sent to the Office of Graduate Studies). 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 (program concentration areas are: Bilingual/ESL/Language Arts/Literacy/ Reading/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 in the OGS packet.)

6. 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.

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 Graduate Studies 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.

Application packet: The application materials should be returned to:

Additional Information/Questions please contact the department office at 505-277-0437.