Frequently Asked Questions
Many people have been contacting us with similar questions.  We hope this will help you in your application process.

  1. What application forms are required for the Summer Institute?
    1. You must submit a 1) graduate application (on-line) or print and send and 2) the Unclassified Student Application form (must be mailed in).  Our website www.nku.edu/~worldlang  has links to both of these forms.

  2. What degree status should I check on the graduate application, item #11 (PAPER FORM ONLY)
    1. Non-Degree (Unclassified), then program code: WLSP.
  1. Do I need to take the GRE?
    1. You must submit a recent GRE score directly from ETS unless you have already earned a master’s degree and submitted the transcripts.  Check the website www.ets.org/gre  for a link to testing dates and locations. 
  1. How can I document my world language proficiency?
    1. Spanish, French, German and Latin.  You must take the PRAXIS-Content in the language area you wish to be certified. If you have missed the recent deadline for this test, you may temporarily substitute the on-line WebCape Placement Test http://minerva.nku.edu/placement/webcape_online.htm at no charge, for application purposes only. Then sign up for the next PRAXIS-Content test date. IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CERTIFICATION, YOU MUST HAVE A PASSING PRAXIS SCORE!  Please let us know when you receive your content score.
    2. Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. If you have completed course work at a university outside the US, where the language you wish to teach was the language of instruction, you may use the transcripts of post-secondary course work that have been evaluated by an accredited agency as evidence of language proficiency.  Accredited agencies can be found here:  http://www.nku.edu/~isa/Admissions/evaluation.htm
  1.  What grade point average do I need to apply?
    1. Undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better.  This is a Kentucky requirement. 
  1. Do I need to fill out a separate application for the scholarship?
    1. NO!  You just need to check the box stating you would like to be considered for the scholarship on the Unclassified Student Application form linked to the ISIWLT website.
  1. When should I send in the materials?
    1. As soon as possible!  Submit all paperwork as you complete it.  You do not need to wait until every requirement has been met. 
  1. How do I know my paperwork has been received?
    1. If you would like to check if your paperwork has been received, please contact the Office of Graduate Programs/ Admissions (if you did your undergraduate work in the U.S.) or the Office of International Student Affairs (if you did your undergraduate work outside the U.S.) .  We do not receive any paperwork until that office considers your file complete (transcripts and applications received, GRE scores, fees paid). When complete, the Office of Graduate Admissions or International Student Affairs will send your file to us, and we will be able to evaluate it for admission.
  1. English is not my native language.  What documentation do I need to establish English proficiency?
    1. You must submit a TOEFL score or other evidence of academic English language proficiency.  For more information, please see the link to International Student Affairs http://www.nku.edu/~isa/ . 
  1. How will I know if I’ve been accepted to the summer institute?
    1. Once we receive your file from the Office of Graduate Programs, we will contact you to let you know.  We will contact you again once we have decided whether or not you are accepted into the ISIWLT. We hope to begin reviewing completed applications at the middle of March and begin notifying participants of acceptance at the beginning of April.  However, we cannot consider your application until it is completed!
  1. Upon successful completion of the summer institute, what certification will I receive?
    1. Temporary provisional certification to teach.  This means that you will be eligible to be hired and teach in Kentucky.

  2. Have you received my application materials yet?
    1. When we have received your file of application materials, we will send you an e-mail.  Before that, your materials are with the Office of Graduate Programs or the Office of International Student Affairs.   They will send you a letter if any of your materials are missing. Remember – it can take up to 6 weeks for your GRE, TOEFL, or Praxis content scores to be processed.  If you haven’t received your score report, you can be sure we haven’t.  We cannot consider your application until all your materials are complete, including test scores. 

  3. I took the tests and sent in my transcripts and evaluations.  Why haven’t I heard anything?
    1. Your application will be complete when the application, fee, transcripts, and test scores are all received – not after you finish the testing.  For example, if you haven’t taken the GRE until the beginning of March, we probably won’t have your score report until mid-April and so won’t be able to make a decision on your application until late April.