Application Materials

KU Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies accepts applications for graduate study year-round. Students may begin the graduate program in either the fall or spring semester. Applicants seeking financial support, however, have a January 5th deadline for August matriculation. Our Graduate Faculty finalizes GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistantship) decisions by March 1st or shortly thereafter. Please indicate in your letter of intent or in the on-line application form that you wish to be considered for a GTA position.

Apply online through the Office of Graduate Studies online application system. The system takes you step by step through the entire institutional application process.

Prior to applying, please be aware that in order to complete your online application to KU Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies, you will need to prepare the following supplemental documents for upload:

  1. A. GRE scores, if you are a North American applicant. While you may enter your scores on the general data sheet, confirmation of scores will need to come from GRE: KU's GRE institutional code is 6871. International applicants do not need to submit GRE scores. B. English Language Proficiency exam scores.  If you are a non-native speaker of English, see the English Proficiency Requirements. Applicants must meet the minimum requirement for Regular admission. KU's TOEFL institutional code is 6871. Native English speakers do not need to submit TOEFL scores;
  2. Statement of Academic Objectives (500 words): Your response might address (but is not limited to) questions such as: Why do you wish to pursue graduate study in Slavic Languages & Literatures? Do you plan to pursue the M.A. as a terminal degree for professional goals? What are your professional goals? Do you plan to complete the Ph.D.? If so, what kind of educational institution do you see yourself employed at after finishing the Ph.D.? At this time, have you developed specific interests in the field? What are they? What do "teaching and research" mean to you? What has attracted you to our graduate program and what are your expectations of this program? How will graduate education help you meet and shape your personal and professional goals;
  3. A short autobiographical essay (1-2 pages) in the target language you intend to study (Russian, Polish, or Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian);
  4. Writing Sample (5,000-7,000 words): This writing sample should represent your best work. A research paper from an upper level course is suitable. It may be in the field of Russian literature or language, or in another, related field, but it should demonstrate your ability to pose a research question, present evidence and argumentation, and defend your conclusion.
  5. The names and contact information of three references (who will be contacted for letters of recommendation directly by KU). Please alert your references in advance;
  6. General information about your applications for funding;
  7. Transcripts from all institutions from which a degree was obtained, or that were attended post-bachelor's.  These may be uploaded to the online application or official copies may be sent by mail.  If unofficial copies are used for admission purposes, official copies must be sent by the end of the first semester of study.  Mail official copies to:

                                     Graduate Admissions

                                     313 Strong Hall

                                     1450 Jayhawk Blvd.

                                     Lawrence KS 66045-7535

                                     OR

                                     graduateadm@ku.edu

We encourage you to look at the faculty page and see which faculty members do research or teach in your areas of interest.

The Department will not consider a recommendation of admission until all materials are submitted through the institutional application to the Office of Graduate Studies.