Prospective students may use our online application to apply. In addition to the completed application form and fee, applications for the English MA, MA/Phd, and PhD programs should include the following materials:

A personal statement detailing plans for graduate study
Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher learning
Three letters of recommendation
A writing sample of 15-20 pages of critical prose, preferably in the applicant's prospective field of specialization.
The GRE is not required for applicants to the MA or PhD programs in English, but applicants may submit GRE scores if they wish.

Choosing a program: MA, PhD, or MA/PhD

Prospective students should apply

to the MA program if you wish to pursue a terminal MA in English, without continuing on to the PhD
to the PhD program if you wish to earn a PhD in English, and already hold an MA in English
to the MA/PhD program if you wish to earn a PhD in English and do not already hold an MA in English

Minimally accepted TOEFL scores, when applying for graduate programs, are 550-paper, 213-computer, and 80 Internet. Students taking the TOEFL should have at least 20 out of 30 in each of the TOEFL subcategories. The minimally accepted graduate IELTS score is 6.5. Individual IELTS test module scores are also reviewed in addition to the overall IELTS score.