Application and Admissions

* Miami photographs courtesy Dr. Ralph Heyndels

The Ph.D. in Literary, Cultural, and Linguistic Studies offers two major concentrations: 1) Literary and Cultural Studies and 2) Critical Studies of Language/Linguistics. Students in each concentration may opt to develop a secondary field of expertise in the other. Applicants MUST focus on at least one of the following target languages: French, Portuguese and/or Spanish. 

The program is designed primarily to prepare students for careers as university professors and research scholars. Students develop advanced language, teaching, and research skills that lend themselves to other professions, as well. A variety of geographic, temporal, and theoretical concentrations allow students to carry out innovative and interdisciplinary research projects, often with a transnational focus.

Admission Requirements

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures accepts applications to the Ph.D. program for Fall admission only from students holding  (or completing during the time of application) B.A. or M.A. degrees in a related discipline (e.g. Spanish, French, Luso-Brazilian Studies, History, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, Journalism). The Department does not admit students who seek terminal M.A. degrees. 

Important Deadlines 

• *PRIORITY Admission and Fellowship Consideration Deadline: January 2, 2026
• *REGULAR Application (will not be considered for Fellowships) Deadline: February 13, 2026

The Graduate Committee will begin reviewing complete applications January 4th, 2026. 

*All applicants will automatically be considered for Departmental Teaching Assistantships, but only priority deadline applicants will be considered also for university-wide fellowships

Link to Online Application

https://applygrad.miami.edu/portal/application

We only accept online applications.  Please upload statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and writing samples via the online application.  Official transcripts and test scores need to be mailed to our office.    

Required Materials 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Completed application (via CollegeNet)  
• Application fee of $85.00
• Graduate Assistantship application. (International Students only, when requested) 
• Official Transcripts (from all Universities). These must be mailed to the department in the original University envelope.  Electornic copies are only acceptable for Florida State schools.  
• Transcript Translations - Graduate applicants who have attended college or university outside the United States must submit official translations of transcripts and diplomas directly to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. 
• Transcript Evaluations - Graduate applicants who have attended college or university outside the United States must submit official credential evaluations of transcripts and diplomas directly to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.  
• GRE Test Scores.  As of Fall 2020, we no longer require GRE General Test Scores.  If applicants have taken the GRE and wish to include their scores, please mail directly from ETS testing agency to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Domestic and international students can send GRE and TOEFL scores to our Department with the University of Miami code (5815).    
• TOEFL/ IELTS - International students without BA or MA degrees from a U.S. institution should have TOEFL scores mailed directly from the testing agency to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.  Please use the following University of Miami Codes for TOEFL (5815) and IELTS (4862). International students who need to submit TOEFL results can find more information on the Graduate School website.
• Three letters of recommendation (typically, 1-2 pages).  These letters should be written by faculty who ideally know your academic work well and who hold your work in high regard. Applicants should use the CollegeNet interface to have recommenders submit their letters online.
• Detailed statement of purpose explaining your research interests and why the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Miami is a good place to pursue your graduate training.
• Research paper of 15-20 pages in English. 
• Research paper(s) of 15-20 pages in the primary language(s) of proposed study. (French, Portuguese, and/ or Spanish).

Mailing address for Printed Materials

Please send all printed materials to the address below: 

For questions, consult the Graduate Program webpage or contact the department at mllgraduate@miami.edu or call 305-284-5585. 

McKnight Doctoral Fellowships

We strongly encourage African- American and Hispanic candidate to apply for the McKnight Doctoral Fellowships.  Applications must be postmarked no later than January 1st of each year.  The Fellowship is open to incoming domestic Ph.D. African American or Hispanic students in any discipline.  You may apply online at www.fefonline.org The Florida Education Fund may be reached at 813-272-2772.  If an applicant accepted into our Ph.D. program receives a McKnight Fellowship, the College of Arts and Sciences will increase the stipend amount to match the current stipend.