English Graduate Application Information
A Message to Applicants
The English Graduate Admissions Committee is sensitive to the situation regarding COVID-19 as it pertains to future applicants. We want to assure all applicants to our programs that Pass, or "P" grades, taken for any reason during your course of study, will have no impact on our evaluation of your application, and the Graduate School will not factor them into your GPA calculation.
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, 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* |
* |
Also required for international applicants 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: 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. Exceptions to the testing requirement are students from countries where English is the official language. See the Graduate Catalog for examples of qualifying countries. |
Necessary Application Materials
Applicants must submit all application materials through the application portal on the Graduate School page.
English Department required materials:
All applicants:
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MA applicants also submit:
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PhD applicants also submit:
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MA and PhD Applicants interested in TESOL must also submit:
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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.
Questions: english@isu.edu
Graduate School required materials:
- Graduate School Application Form
- Graduate School Application Fee
- Official transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework
- TOEFL, MTELP, or IELTS scores (for applicants whose first language is not English)
Questions: gradschool@isu.edu
Important Application Dates
Fall Semester Deadlines
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
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
Spring Semester Deadlines
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
Inquiries
Inquiries regarding the graduate programs in English should be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies (see contact information below). For information about graduate courses in Philosophy, please contact the Director of Philosophy at philosophy@isu.edu.
Director of Graduate Studies in English
Matthew Levay
Director of Graduate Studies in English
Liberal Arts Building | Room 239
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 238
208-282-4294