Department of English and Philosophy

 

English Graduate Application Information

Eligibility Requirements

For our MA and PhD programs, we encourage applications from students who have done undergraduate and graduate coursework in English, especially in British and U.S. literatures, and who are interested in gaining further depth and breadth in these subjects alongside training in literature and composition pedagogy. Applicants interested in TESOL may be graduate students in any field. Prior experience with linguistics, language training, or language acquisition is helpful, but not required.

Program Degree Required GPA Test Scores
MA Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution Min. 3.0
(or equivalent)		 Min. 50% on GRE verbal
PhD MA in English (or closely related field) Min. 3.5
(or equivalent)		 Min. 50% on GRE verbal
TESOL Certificate Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution GPA of 3.0 over the last two years of undergraduate coursework Min. 35% on GRE verbal*
* Also required for applicants whose first language is not English: score of 21 on the listening section of the computer-based TOEFL test with a composite score of 550/213, or a score of 84 on the MTELP, or a score of 6 on the IELTS.
Necessary Application Materials

Applicants must submit two different sets of application materials, one to the English Department and the other to the Graduate School.

English Department
required materials:

All applicants:
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • 500-word statement of purpose
  • A page with your full contact information: address(es), phone number(s), and e-mail(s)
MA applicants also submit:
  • 5-page writing sample
    or 10-20 page writing sample (if applying for Teaching Assistantship)
PhD applicants also submit:
  • 10-20 page writing sample
MA or PhD applicants applying for a teaching assistanship/fellowship also submit:
MA and PhD Applicants interested in TESOL must also submit:
  • a separate application to the TESOL Certificate Program

These materials are evaluated by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Admission is offered based on the student's potential for academic sucess, as well as the fit between the applicant's interests and the mission of the programs and faculty expertise. 

Mailing address:
Department of English and Philosophy
Idaho State University
Stop 8056
Pocatello ID 83209-8056

Graduate School
required materials:

  1. Graduate School Application Form (complete online — click "Apply Now," then follow instructions to create account/login, fill out form, and send accompanying materials)
  2. Graduate School Application Fee
  3. Transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework
  4. GRE Scores
  5. TOEFL, MTELP, or IELTS scores (for applicants whose first language is not English)

Mailing address:
Graduate School
Idaho State University
Stop 8075
Pocatello ID 83209-8075

Important Application Dates
Application for Fall Semester
Feb 15
  • Applications for admission due
  • Applications for TAships and fellowships due
  • Renewal TAship and fellowship applications due for continuing MA and PhD students
March 1
March 15
  • Admissions and financial award decisions announced
April 15
  • Deadline for students to accept admission
  • Deadline for students to accept TA and fellowship offers
April 15-30
  • Wait-listed applicants for admission contacted in ranked order
  • Wait-listed applicants for TAships and fellowships contacted in ranked order
  • Late applications for admission and funding reviewed

Note: Applications submitted after April 30 will be reviewed in October for spring admission and enrollment
August
Application for Spring Semester
Oct 1
  • Applications for admission due
  • Applications for TAships and fellowships for spring semester due

Note: TAship or fellowship funding is not normally available for applicants admitted in spring
Nov 1
  • Admissions and financial award decisions announced
Dec 1
  • Deadline for students to accept admission
  • Deadline for students to accept TA and fellowship offers
Dec 1-10
  • Wait-listed applicants for admission contacted in ranked order
  • Wait-listed applicants for TAships and fellowships contacted in ranked order
Dec 10-15
  • Late applications considered on a rolling basis
January