All applicants are asked to supply the following documents (GRE scores are not required):

• three letters of recommendation, preferably one which is from an academic source
• a current CV or resumé
• a personal statement, in English or Spanish
• an academic writing sample, preferably in Spanish
• OPI score for non-native speakers of Spanish (see below)
• TOEFL score for non-native speakers of English (see below)
• official transcripts for all coursework (with transcript evaluation of foreign transcripts)

Please note that if your transcripts come from a university outside the United States, you will need to include a transcript evaluation in your application. This can be done through Educational Perspectives. For more information, please go to http://www.edperspective.org/.

Application Dates and Deadlines

While there is an open deadline to apply for admission to our graduate program, complete applications should be submitted no less than six weeks before the term in which applicants wish to begin graduate studies. The Graduate Committee of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures reviews all applications, and the Graduate Program Director informs applicants of their admission status. If you wish to apply, please click on the red APPLY NOW link, below.

If you are applying to our graduate program and requesting a merit award, or Teaching Assistantship, you must submit your complete application by February 1. For example, applicants who want to begin their coursework in August of 2021 need to submit their complete applications by Feb. 1, 2021. 

International Applicants

If you are an applicant from outside the United States, please check admission information in the Graduate School for International Admission.

Language Proficiency

Foreign students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (TOEFL). Applicants lacking any other entrance requirements may be accepted on a probationary status. Specific prerequisites will be designated for such students. Please include an official copy of your score certificate with your application.

Students holding degrees from universities whose primary language is not Spanish are required to take the OPI test (Oral Proficiency Interview in Spanish) to be considered for admission. The test can be taken on the Lake Shore Campus of Loyola at a lower cost, or at home, if you do not live in the Chicago metropolitan area. Tests taken at Loyola are the computer-based (OPI c) version. Please contact the Graduate Program Director of the Spanish program to set up an appointment.

To register for the test, go to http://www.languagetesting.com/login-and-registration and create an account. You should use Loyola University Chicago as the client institution. If you are not taking the test at Loyola, please go to https://www.profluentplus.com/ and follow the instructions. Please include an official copy of your score certificate with your application.