Application and Admission

M.A. and Ph.D. in English and American Literature

Application Requirements

  • GRE general test. Subject test in English strongly recommended. The strongest applications will have verbal scores of 650 or better.
  • A writing sample of no more than 15 pages, preferably a critical literary essay.
  • Other materials as explained in the application.
  • A major in English or the equivalent (a minimum of eight upper-division English courses) is strongly recommended.

Application Deadline
January 2

Applicants wishing to be considered for financial aid should make certain that all materials be sent by the deadline. GREs should be taken no later than the December test date.

Applicants should apply directly to the Ph.D. program, even those who do not currently have an M.A. in English.  Students have the option of receiving an M.A. upon passing the qualifying exams.  The terminal M.A. program is only open to Notre Dame and St. Mary's undergraduates.

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program are brought to campus in March for a recruitment weekend.  While prospective students are free to meet individually with faculty at any point in the application process, the Graduate Office will not schedule interviews with applicants until they are accepted into the program.

M.F.A. in Creative Writing

Application Requirements

  • GRE general test (subject test not required)
  • A writing sample consisting of approximately 30 pages of fiction, 20 pages of poetry, or an equivalent amount of other appropriate writing.
  • Other materials as explained in the application

Application Deadline
January 2, 2009

Applicants wishing to be considered for financial aid should make certain that all materials be sent by the deadline. GREs should be taken no later than the December test date.

 

To request more information about the M.A. and Ph.D. in English or the M.F.A. in Creative Writing, click here.

Visit >>