Frequently Asked Questions about the Language, Literacy, and Culture Ph.D. Program
(Last Updated: 3/1/04)

1. Does the program have a rolling admissions policy?

At the present time, we accept students for fall admission only. All application materials must be received by February 1st of the year in which one intends to enroll. It is always a good idea to submit your application as early as possible.

2. How can I apply to the LLC Program?

There are four ways to access the UMBC Graduate School's application.

First, for those who requested an information packet, a paper copy of the application is included in the packet.

Second, applicants may access the online application or download an application on the Graduate School website. Use the link below:
http://www.umbc.edu/gradschool/admissions/

Third, if on the UMBC campus, applicants may stop by the LLC Office which is in
ACIV-Wing A, Room 428A, or the Graduate School (2nd Floor, Administration Building), to obtain a paper copy of the application.

3. Are GRE scores required for applicants who hold Master's degrees?

If an applicant has a Master's degree from an U.S. institution, she/he does not need to submit GRE scores. If an applicant has a Master's degree from a foreign institution, the decision to waive the GRE is made at the discretion of the Program Director.

4. Is the TOEFL required of all international applicants?

The TOEFL is required of all international students if they do not have either a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an U.S. institution. If an international applicant has a Master's degree from a foreign institution, the decision to waive the TOEFL is made at the discretion of the Program Director.

5. Is the foreign language requirement based on the individual student's intended program, or is there a blanket requirement?

It is based on the student's program.

6. Is it possible to take classes as a non-degree-seeking student and, if I am later accepted into the program, have the classes count toward the degree?

Yes, it is possible to take courses as a Special Advanced Student, with the exception of LLC 600, which is only for formally admitted LLC students. All registration for courses taken as a Special Advanced Student is by permission of the course instructor. Successful completion of a course taken as a Special Advanced Student will not guarantee admission to the LLC program.

7. I previously applied to the LLC Program, but was denied admission. If I want to be considered next year for admission, do I need to resubmit a second application and fee?

Yes. According to Graduate School policy, you must submit both a new application form and the $50 application fee. Along with the new application form and fee, the LLC Program Director strongly suggests that you submit, directly to the LLC Office (ACIV-A Wing, Rm. 428A), a new Statement of Goals and Research Interests as well as new and/or additional reference letters. In addition, please submit a letter expressing your interest in being reconsidered for the LLC Ph.D. Program.

8. What is the 3-4 letter program code needed for completion of the Graduate School application?

The code for the program is "LLC."

9. I am a UMBC graduate. Do I need to submit an official UMBC transcript to complete my LLC application?

Yes. You may have your official UMBC transcript sent directly to the Graduate School by sending an e-mail to <records@umbc.edu>

Your message should include the following:

• Your name (while a student at UMBC)
• Social Security number
• Dates of attendance at UMBC
• Number of copies that you want
• Addresses where the transcripts are to be sent

Please keep in mind that two official transcripts are needs to complete the LLC application. One should be sent to the Graduate School; the second should be sent to the LLC Office (ACIV-A wing, Rm. 428A).

10. I've been out of school for several years. While two former graduate school professors have agreed to write letters of recommendation, I'm wondering if the third of the required three can be a professional recommendation?

It is important that some references be from individuals familiar with your academic performance, both past and present, if possible. However, some references should be recent and may include those from employers, volunteer coordinators, etc. It is possible to submit more than three references, but at least three are required before an application can be considered complete and reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

11. Are all Ph.D. programs approximately 48 credit hours (as is true in the case of the LLC Ph.D. program), or are some less than 40, like a Master's degree?

The requirements for doctoral programs vary a great deal; the LLC program requires a minimum of 48 credit hours, including 12 hours of dissertation research. However, some courses taken for the Master's degree may transfer into the program.

12. What is the average length of time required for completion of the program?

Most students take 1 or 2 courses a semester--and will probably take at least one summer course--so it should take approximately three years to complete the program and sit for their comprehensive exams. Then the dissertation . . . .

13. Is there a time limit on the program that one must follow?

A student must be admitted to candidacy within five years after admission to the doctoral program. All program requirements for the degree, including the dissertation and final oral examination, must be completed within four years after admission to candidacy.

14. If I am accepted, may I begin gradually (take one course a semester), and then increase the number later?

Yes, so long as you stay within the time allotted for completion of course work.

15. Does the program offer courses through distance education?

There are some courses offered as part of certain programs of study which may be taken online. At the present time, these include EDUC 602, EDUC 603, EDUC 605, EDUC 643, and EDUC 647.

16. If needed, can a person take a leave of absence?

Yes. A student may register for a one-semester leave of absence through the campus-wide computerized registration system after being granted permission by the Graduate Director or the Program Assistant. To do so, students register for LLC 999 (Leave of Absence) at no charge.

17. Can a student begin coursework in the spring or summer?

It is preferable to begin in the fall, with LLC 600, but it is possible to begin at another time. This decision is made at the discretion of the Program Director.

18. Do you accept credits from another graduate program at UMBC or another institution? If so, how many?

You can transfer in graduate credits from either UMBC or another institution, but the number depends on your focus in the Ph.D. program and the courses you are seeking to transfer.

Discretion to permit the transfer of credits is held by the Program Director and the student's advisor.

19. How flexible is the option to take classes at other UMS institutions?

With prior approval from your advisor and the Program Director, it is possible to take classes at other UMS institutions and have them apply to the LLC Ph.D. degree.

20. Which types of jobs do students pursue after completing their degree?

Most are already in jobs in which they want to remain, or at institutions in which they want to stay but perhaps move into other jobs.

21. Which types of students is the program seeking?

The program is seeking curious, articulate, committed, mature, and diverse students.

22. Can the dissertation be on an applied subject, for example, the design and execution of a new community program?

Absolutely, and the program also has an internship which can serve for the data-gathering stage. Each student's program of study must have a research focus, however.

23. How large of a component can the Women's Studies part of the program be?

Right now it's open to you. There are, for example, courses in Women's Studies that doctoral students are taking and there are doctoral students interested in issues of gender and education.

24. How does the interview process work for the program? Would it be possible to discuss the program further at a later date?

After you've read the packet, you may want to contact some students in the program first, and then make an appointment with the director. Contact the Program Assistant for further information.

25. I have already sent in application materials to an M.A. program at UMBC. If I were to apply to both programs, which documents would I have to duplicate?

Applicants who have already earned a Master's degree at UMBC would have to submit a new application and the $50 application fee, an academic goals and research interests statement, writing sample, and three academic/professional letters of recommendation. If time is of the essence, transcripts already held in applicants' MA files will be photocopied and added to their LLC files for the review of the Admissions Committee. Upon admission to the LLC program, the applicants will have to supply the Graduate School with two official transcripts from each institution of higher learning attended, one for the Graduate School files and the second for our files.

26. I am currently in a Master's Program. I would like to apply some or all of my coursework toward the doctoral degree in the Language, Literacy, and Culture Ph.D. program without earning the Master's degree. Is this possible?

Currently, we only accept students into the Ph.D. Program in Language, Literacy, and Culture if they already have completed a Master's degree. If a student has a Master's degree from UMBC, some of the courses may be applied toward his/her Ph.D. The same is true if a student is from another institution. The transfer of credits into the Ph.D. program is made at the discretion of the student's advisor in the Program and the Program Director.

27. What kinds of writing are appropriate for a writing sample?

Paper(s) which reflect an applicant's scholarly thinking and writing are appropriate. A report, a paper from a course, a published article, a book review, or even a personal essay related to the program are all considered appropriate.

28. What is the profile of the students currently enrolled in the
program?

A profile of current students is enclosed in this packet of information about the LLC Ph.D. Program.

29. How likely is it to receive financial aid, a graduate assistantship,
tuition remission or a scholarship/fellowship?

A very limited number of partial graduate assistantships is offered on an annual basis. This award includes a small stipend, tuition remission, and health benefits. Tuition remission alone is also possible, but very limited.

Governmental financial aid is available to American citizens only. To receive aid, the deadline to submit the application form to the Financial Aid Office, located in the Albert Kuhn Library on the UMBC campus, (ex. 2387), is March 1st of the year in which one wishes to receive aid.

The aid is given for one academic year, beginning in the fall semester. The amount of aid per student varies, depending on his/her degree of financial need.

Scholarship/fellowship information is available on the World Wide Web and at the UMBC and public libraries. International students are encouraged to visit the website of the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors for scholarship/fellowship information.

Also, see the section on Financial Assistance on the program website.

30. Can I apply to more than one graduate program at UMBC?

Our policy is that if a student wants to apply to more than one graduate program, a separate application form and fee must be submitted to the Graduate School. It is not uncommon for a student to apply to two different programs, and in this case we require two separate forms and fees.

We understand that occasionally the student makes a mistake and actually applies to the "wrong" program. Maybe they better belong in MATH than in STAT, or in CMSC rather than IFSM, or in SOCY rather than POSI. When the program to which the student applied determines that this is the case, please do the following: 1. The first program should consult with the applicant to secure his/her agreement in writing that the application should be sent to another program. 2. Send to Graduate Admissions a copy of this agreement (Kathie Nee for domestic students, Kathy Ruth for international students). Send us the application packet, and we will forward it to the new program. This will be especially important when the new imaging system is implemented, since only the Graduate School will be able to index documents to be viewable on the web. 3. The first program should NOT send us a denial of admission form. We will change the application to the new program on SIS. 4. Then when the second program sends us a decision sheet, we will notify the applicant and record the decision on SIS. When you follow this process, we consider that the applicant has applied to only one program, and we will not require a second form or fee. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.