MA Admission Requirements

Entrance requirements for the MA Literature and English Studies include a minimum of 30 credit hours earned in literature, language, or related courses; 20 credits should have been earned in upper-division courses. It is recommended that applicants have at least one course focusing on a major literary figure and one upper-division course in linguistics. Candidates whose native language is not English must have a minimum 80 TOEFL iBT or 6.5 IELTS.

The MA Literature and English Studies program accepts applications year-round and admits students in spring, summer, and fall terms. Please note, however, that applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship must submit all application materials by February 1 for assistantships beginning in the following fall semester. Currently, teaching assistantship opportunities are limited to residential students.

In addition to the University’s graduate application requirements, MA Literature applicants should submit the following:

• A personal statement of 1-2 pages describing the applicant’s academic and professional goals
• Two letters of recommendation
• 10-20 page research-based analytical writing sample focusing on a literary topic