English Graduate Application Information

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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, including 21 undergraduate credits in English	Min. 3.0 (or equivalent)	GRE optional
PhD	MA in English (or closely related field)	Min. 3.5 (or equivalent)	GRE optional
TESOL Certificate	Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution	GPA of 3.0 over the last two years of undergraduate coursework	GRE optional*

International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States (at the undergraduate and/or graduate level), and whose native language is not English, typically must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. See the Graduate Catalog for specific requirements and exceptions.

Necessary Application Materials

Applicants must submit all application materials through the application portal on the Graduate School page.

English Department required materials:

All applicants:

Three letters of recommendation
500-word statement of purpose

MA applicants also submit:

5-10 page writing sample (double-spaced), usually an advanced undergraduate essay, well-edited and demonstrating skill in the appropriate field

PhD applicants also submit:

10-20 page writing sample (double-spaced), usually an essay written for a master's-level seminar, well-edited and demonstrating skill in the appropriate field

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 success, as well as the fit between the applicant's interests and the mission of the programs and faculty expertise.

Graduate School required materials:

Create an account
Graduate School Application Fee
Official transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework
English proficiency score (for applicants whose first language is not English)

Questions: gradschool@isu.edu

Important Application Dates

Deadlines for Fall Admission

Feb 1

Deadline for Priority Consideration for Assistantships and Fellowships
Applications for admission due
Applications for TAships and fellowships due
Renewal TAship and fellowship applications due for continuing MA and PhD students

March 1

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) due

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-August 31 (June 1 for international students)

Wait-listed applicants for admission contacted in ranked order
Wait-listed applicants for TAships and fellowships contacted in ranked order
Late applications for admission reviewed on a rolling basis

August

Fall semester begins; check ISU Academic Calendar for exact date

Deadlines for Spring Admission

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-Jan 15 (domestic students only)

Wait-listed applicants for admission contacted in ranked order
Wait-listed applicants for TAships and fellowships contacted in ranked order
Late applications for admission considered on a rolling basis

January

Spring semester begins; check ISU Academic Calendar for exact date

Questions

Inquiries regarding the graduate programs in English should be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies (see contact information below). Office staff can also answer questions about deadlines and required materials.

Director of Graduate Studies in English

Thomas Klein

Director of Graduate Studies in English

Liberal Arts Building | Room 242

thomasklein@isu.edu

Mailing address

Department of English & Philosophy
Idaho State University
921 S 8th Ave, Stop 8056
Pocatello, ID 83209-8056

Office Staff

Kirsten Cooper

Graduate Program Office Specialist II

Liberal Arts Building | Room 241

208-282-4194

kirstencooper@isu.edu