M.A. in English Application Instructions
Application Materials
A complete application includes the following:
- Application for graduate admissions (including fee).
- Current CV or Resume.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate work and any postgraduate work. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the UofL admissions office from the previous institution. Electronic transcripts must be sent to gradadm@louisville.edu. All documents not in English must have a verbatim notarized English translation.
- Two academic letters of recommendation. Letters from employers and personal references are not acceptable. The reference should speak to the prospective student's ability to succeed at graduate studies. Discursive letters must be attached to the PDF form.
- A personal statement (1000 words max.) describing your areas of interest within English studies, your future academic/career plans, and your reasons for applying to our MA program.
- A writing sample of around 10 pages that demonstrates your skills in critical thinking and analytical writing. For example, this can be a substantial analysis paper or research paper written for an (under)graduate course, or a chapter from a B.A. or Honors thesis.
- Students who plan to focus on creative writing should also send a creative writing sample, in addition to the critical/analytical writing sample.
- For GTA applicants: Graduate Student Assistantship (GTA) Application (PDF) (January 5th deadline only)
- For GTA applicants: A statement (1-2 pages) describing how you would approach teaching in general and teaching writing in particular. If you have experience as a teaching or tutor, describe your teaching philosophy and provide some specific examples of how you turn that philosophy into practice in the classroom or writing center. What are the most important concepts and skills you think student writers need to learn? If you do not have experience as a teacher or tutor, describe what, as a student, you have found effective in your best teachers. What approaches to teaching and what personal qualities did you value in their work? Describe how you would approach teaching based on what you have experienced. What are the most important concepts and skills you think student writers need to learn?
Special Note
- We do not require GRE test scores.
- The Department of English does not issue waivers for the application fee.
Funding Opportunities
All students interested in full funding may apply for a Graduate Assistantship (GTA) position. Students awarded with a GTA position receive an annual 10-month stipend, tuition for all approved courses, and health benefits. Typically, GTA students tutor in the University Writing Center for their first year and teach First Year Composition during their second year.
To apply for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) position, submit the following items along with your application materials:
- Completed GTA Application Form.
- Teaching Statement (1-2 pages). See the GTA Application Form for instructions.
Please note: The entire application must be completed by January 5th to be considered for a GTA position. The completed GTA application form should be sent directly to the department via email to: englgrad@louisville.edu.
Deadlines
Applications must be complete by the following deadlines:
- Fall admission with GTA position: January 5
- Fall admission without GTA position: July 15
- Spring admission without GTA position: December 1
Please note that our funding opportunities are available to students who apply for fall admission only.
English Proficiency (TOEFL)
All applicants for whom English is a second language must submit official TOEFL scores of 213 or higher on the computer based test, 550 or higher on the paper based test or 79 or higher on the internet-based test. English proficiency can also be met by submitting official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam. Applicants holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited U.S. institution may be exempt from this requirement.
