Requirements for English Department

Master of Arts in English

A BA or BS in English or an equivalent degree (from the Communications field, for example). Students without a bachelor’s degree in English or substantial undergraduate coursework in English will be evaluated on an individual basis. Typically, 12-15 hours of upper-level English coursework is expected to be completed before admission;
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all work completed beyond high school;
A clear and well-written 250-word statement of purpose, explaining the student’s objectives and purpose for pursuing an MA in English. The student should indicate the concentration of interest – literature studies, English education, writing studies; and
A writing sample of 2,000 words or an equivalent body of work that demonstrates the applicant’s writing abilities and readiness to engage in graduate-level work. This writing sample might include an in-depth literary analysis, an extensive research piece (e.g., senior thesis) on a topic within English studies, or a portfolio of writing samples from an internship or current work environment.