How and When to Apply

Funding for graduate study at USC is better than ever this year, but deadlines for application are also earlier. In order to be eligible for the broadest range of university support, your application should be in by December 1st (we do continue to accept applications through March for the following fall semester, but the sooner you apply the better your chances for funding).

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate major in Slavic languages and literatures or equivalent is a prerequisite for graduate work. Undergraduate major requirements must have included four language and four literature courses at the upper division level. If your background does not include this training, please be aware that, even if you are accepted into the graduate program, you may be required to do supplemental study in addition to graduate course work.

The M.A. degree is intended only as a transitional degree in the process of completing requirements for the Ph.D. in Slavic languages and literatures, so the department only accepts applicants for the full M.A. - Ph.D. program.

When to Apply

Applicants who wish to start graduate studies in the Fall should plan on applying by the end of the previous year. In order to be eligible for the broadest range of university support, your application should be as early as December 1st. While we will continue to accept applications through March, the sooner you apply the better your chances will be of receiving financial support.

Application Checklist - Note that this has been updated!

All applications for admission to graduate study at the University of Southern California are received and processed by the University's Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please visit the University's Office of Graduate Admissions web site at http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/apply/

You will need:

1) The application form, filled out on line at Grad Admissions web site --click here).
2) The university application fee of $85. (Note the raise in cost!)
3) GRE (Graduate Record Examination) results (GRE should send this directly to USC Graduate Admissions).
4) Undergraduate and (where applicable) previous graduate transcripts; these should be mailed to USC's Office of Graduate Admissions. International students should also send an English translation of their transcripts.

In addition, send the following to the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, THH 255, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-4353:

5) Three letters of recommendation.
6) A writing sample; if possible, a paper you wrote for a university course.
7) A 1-2 page statement of interest. This should describe your scholarly interests, how our program fits in with these interests, and your future academic and professional plans.

When Will I Hear From USC?

Fellowship nominations will be decided upon in late February through early March; we will let you know as soon as a decision has been made. Teaching assistantships are decided upon in March; again, we will inform applicants as soon as a decision has been made.

If you have any questions...

Please write, call, or e-mail us at:

Dept. of Slavic Languages and Literatures
University of Southern California
Taper Hall of the Humanities 255
Los Angeles, CA 90089-4353
USA
Phone: (213) 740-2735
Fax: (213) 740-8550
E-mail: slavic@usc.edu