At the time of application, students must submit the following documents to the Master of Arts Program, Department of English:

1. A three-page application essay that addresses the student's background in English, reasons for applying to Master of Arts program, and learning goals.
2. A recent sample (from within the past five years) of the applicant's academic or professional writing. (NOTE: If no samples are available, the applicant should address this in the application essay.)
3. Official transcripts for all prior coursework. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected. Admission to the program is based upon the evaluation of the entire application packet in conjunction with the applicant's undergraduate GPA. An applicant who is weak in one area may, at the discretion of the department, be required to take additional coursework at the undergraduate level.
4. At this time, no GRE is required.

Application Deadlines

Students may apply at any time. However, in order to ensure consideration for all financial aid opportunities for the Fall semester, it is strongly recommended that eligible students apply for admission to the university no later than July 1, and have all required documents for admission to the program submitted by August 1; for the Spring semester, no later than November 1 for application to the university, and December 1 for all required documents for admission to the program.

Candidacy Requirements

No more than two-thirds of the credits applied to the degree may have been completed prior to the submission of a candidacy application. In addition, the student must complete a departmental requirement before advancing to candidacy:

1. Complete ENGL A601 and A602
2. Pass the department's Graduate Qualifying Examination. This exam, taken when the student has completed no fewer than 15 and no more than 24 credits toward the degree, demonstrates the student's disciplinary writing skill and preparation to write a successful thesis.

Teaching Assistantships

Applicants to the graduate program who are also interested in a teaching assistantship should submit their application to the Department of English by the application deadline.

Contact

For more information about the English department's graduate programs, please contact
Dr. Dan Kline, Chair of the Graduate Program.