Application Instructions

1.   The deadline for applying to the Humanities PhD is January 15. Admission to the Humanities PhD program is exclusively for the fall semester of each academic year. No late applications will be accepted.

2.   All applicants must have completed an appropriate Master's degree (MA, MFA, MDiv, etc.) prior to entering the program.

3.   All applicants must also have fulfilled all requirements of the Graduate School.

Required documents are:

  • Online Graduate Application for Admission
  • Payment of Graduate School application fee
  • A current curriculum vitae
  • A statement of intent (about 1,000 words) focusing on the research interests and the applicant’s professional goals (All students requesting funding through the Department’s Graduate Teaching Assistantships should indicate their interest in their statement of intent letter.)
  • A scholarly or creative writing sample
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate- and graduate-level work
  • Three letters of recommendation from former professors or colleagues attesting to the applicant’s capability for doctoral-level work. For students applying for funding through the GTAship, one of the three letters should focus on the student’s experience/potential in the classroom.
  • Students applying for funding through the GTAship may upload an OPTIONAL  additional document attesting to their teaching experience, interests, philosophy, etc.
  • Proof of English proficiency (for international students)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores are NOT required

4.   All students requesting funding through the Department’s Graduate Teaching Assistantships should indicate their interest in their statement of intent letter.

5.   For any further questions regarding specificities of the Humanities PhD Program application, please e-mail the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Karl Swinehart at .