Two-Year Language Option

Year 1

During the first year, students participating in TLO move through the MAPH year in the traditional manner—the required Core course in the fall quarter, seven elective courses, and complete a thesis in the spring quarter. However, MAPH TLO students must devote at least one of their electives to language study every quarter.

Year 2

In the second year, MAPH TLO students take nine courses—three electives and any outstanding language study courses for a minimum of nine language courses over the two years.

Summer Language Study

MAPH TLO students can gain even higher language proficiency by studying language during the summer. Many language courses are offered through the University of Chicago’s Summer Language Institute (SLI), and students may wish to enroll in summer language courses before MAPH begins. TLO students can participate in up to three summers of language study: before starting the program, between the first and second academic years with program funding, and after both academic years have been completed via external funding. 

Note: Summer language study does not count toward MAPH required courses.

In addition to the traditional MAPH application, students interested in applying to the TLO must submit one supplemental document that indicates:

• which language(s) they would concentrate on
• academic and professional reasons for studying these languages
• how many years and at which institution(s) they have studied these languages

Academic Year Tuition

The Two-year Language Option is a cost-effective option for gaining language proficiency and earning an MA degree.

• In the first year, TLO students pay the normal MAPH tuition; like other MAPH students, TLO students are eligible to receive a partial-tuition scholarship.
• In the second year, TLO students receive a scholarship that covers 90% of that year's tuition. To receive this scholarship, students must have completed all 9 first-year courses by the start of Autumn Quarter and maintained a 3.5 GPA in those courses.

In the example below, using the 2017-18 tuition rate of $55,836, a MAPH TLO student receives a $6,000 fellowship award for their first year for a total rate of $49,836. If they maintain a 3.5 GPA, their tuition for the second year would be only $5,584 (if the tuition for year 2 remained at $55,836).

Summer Language Study Funding and Tuition

TLO students are eligible to receive up to $5,000 of funding to cover language study during the summer after their first year in the program.

MAPH students are also eligible to receive scholarships that cover more than half of the tuition fees for Summer Language Institute courses, and discounted rates for Academic and Professional Reading courses. More information about SLI pricing and scholarships can be found on our Summer Language Study page. Please know that due to federal loan restrictions, MAPH TLO students are not eligible to receive federal loan funding for SLI courses.

The University of Chicago is a worldwide leader in language study—more than 50 languages are regularly taught each year. Please note that some languages are offered only during specific quarters of the year. You can find current language course offerings through the University of Chicago's Course Search, as well as on departmental websites. 

The availability of courses at different levels in different quarters during the academic year varies: commonly taught languages such as German offer multiple levels in all quarters; a less commonly taught language such as Middle Egyptian may only be offered in one or two quarters, or even in alternate years.

• View a list of frequently asked questions about the Two-year Language Option.
• Looking for more information about placement and specific language offerings? Contact the Chicago Language Center, which offers placement exams, advising, and Practical and Advanced Language Proficiency Certificates for the University of Chicago.