Graduate School Bulletin

Spring 2023

Admission requirements of English department

Applicants for admission to all graduate programs in English should submit all materials by the deadlines listed on the admissions website, linked here. In all cases, admission is determined by the graduate admissions committee of the department under guidelines established by the Graduate School. Applicants are admitted on the basis of their total records, and there are no predetermined quantitative criteria that by themselves ensure a positive or negative decision. There is midyear admission to the M.A. program but not the Ph.D. program.

Our admissions committee will review an applicant’s file when all documents have been received.

Admission to the M.A.T. in English 7-12

The M.A.T. in English 7-12 is administered by the School of Professional Development. Individuals interested in this program should refer to the School of Professional Development’s section in this bulletin.

Admission to the M.A. Program in English

The following, in addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, are required for admission to the M.A. program:

A. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution;

B. An average of at least B in the last two years of undergraduate work;

C. An official transcript of all undergraduate work;

D. Letters of recommendation from three instructors;

E. A writing sample (10 double-spaced pages; page count does not include bibliography);

F. Acceptance by both the Department of English and the Graduate School.

Admission to the Ph.D. Program in English

The following, in addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, are required for admission to the Ph.D. program:

A. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution;

B. An average of at least B in the last two years of undergraduate work;

C. An official transcript of all undergraduate work and of any graduate work that may have been done;

D. Letters of recommendation from three instructors;

E. A writing sample (15-20 double-spaced pages; page count does not include bibliography);

F. Proficiency in a language other than English, equivalent to two years of college work;

G. Acceptance by both the Department of English and the Graduate School. 

Semi-finalists for admission to the PhD program will be invited to a video-conference interview with a member of the Graduate Admissions Committee.