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FAQs

What graduate degrees are offered through the Department of English?

We offer a master’s degree in English with concentrations in literature, rhetoric and composition, linguistics or comparative literature. We also offer a Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL). We offer a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English with two separate concentrations: literature and rhetoric/composition and linguistics. A Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing is offered through the English department as well.

How can I receive information?

Information about the Department of English graduate programs can be obtained online or you can e-mail enggrad@asu.edu (or call 480-965-3194). Visit http://english.clas.asu.edu/graduate for information.

How long does the program take to complete?

The time it will take each student to complete a graduate degree program in English will vary depending on factors such as whether or not the student attends classes on a full-time basis and whether or not the student must complete deficiency courses. Generally speaking, the time to degree for the Master of Arts (M.A.) program is about two years. The time to degree for the Ph.D. program is five years (for students with a master’s degree). MTESOL students finish their degrees in two years and M.F.A. in three years. For an in-depth look at the Ph.D. timeline.

It is a Graduate College policy that master's students must complete their degrees within six year. Ph.D. students have ten years from admission (five years from candidacy).

How do I apply? What are the requirements? What is the deadline?

The deadline is January 15 for all programs.  Students must apply to the university graduate admissions by submitting an online application.

Once the Graduate College admissions office receives the online application, students are notified of their ASURITE ID and activation code through an acknowledgment via e-mail within 48 hours of the receipt of the application. If you have submitted an application and have not received this code, please contact admissions at grad-q@asu.edu or call 480-965-6113.

For detailed information on the admission and curriculum requirements for the program, please visit the Graduate Information Page.

What supporting documents are required by the English Department?

  1. Three letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with the applicant’s academic work
  2. Statement of purpose detailing the student’s background, reasons for wanting to do graduate work in English, and plans for the future.
  3. A writing sample, if required by the program (see specific program materials for information).
  4. Teaching assistantship application and statement of teaching philosophy (if interested) Note: prospective students applying to graduate programs in English do not need to submit three additional letters of recommendation with T.A. applications; that particular three-letter requirement is only in place for current graduate students seeking T.A. positions only.
  5. Resume or vita.

Address:
Graduate Coordinator
Department of English
Arizona State University
P.O. Box 870302
Tempe, AZ 85287-0302

As of October 1, 2009, supporting documents may be uploaded during the online application process. If you apply prior to October 1, you may send hard copies of the documents to the English Graduate Coordinator who will then forward them to Graduate College Admissions office for uploading.

What materials are required by the Graduate College and what is the address?

  1. Online application and application fee.
  2. Official transcripts.
  3. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (check specific program requirments)
  4. Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores (international students).
  5. Financial guarantee (international students).
  6. Test of Spoken English (TSE) (for international T.A. applicants).

Address:
Graduate Admissions Office
Graduate College
Arizona State University
Box 871003
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003

If my application is complete before the January 15th deadline, will it be evaluated early?

No. The committee does not review applications until after the deadline.

What are letters of recommendation?

At least three letters of recommendation are required for the application. Letters should be from faculty familiar with the applicant’s academic work.  See guidelines for requesting letters of recommendation for more information.

When will I be notified of admission?

Applicants can track the status of their application by going to MyASU.

The status-checking website is available through a secure login using the applicant’s ASURITE ID and password. Letters regarding admission status will also be sent by the Graduate College.

How do I check the status of my application with the Department of English?

You may send an e-mail to Sheila@asu.edu or call 480-965-3194. (Please keep in mind that, during peak times, it could take more than one week before you receive a response.)

What is the average GRE score for admitted students?

There is no established minimum GRE score as students are evaluated by the entirety of their application file. The average GRE verbal score is around 580.

What is the tuition?

One credit for an Arizona resident is about $600; one credit for a nonresident is about $950.  For more up to date information, visit the tuition schedule.

What kind of funding is available?

The department awards fellowships and teaching assistantships on a competitive basis to incoming students. For information on how to apply for an assistantship, visit the Web site. A 50 percent teaching assistantship (20 hours/week) comes with full waiver of tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. Admitted students are automatically considered for fellowship awards. Continuing students may apply for internal and external awards, travel grants and dissertation fellowships. See this site for more details. U.S. citizens may also apply for federal financial aid.

Will the department waive the application fee?

Unfortunately, the department cannot waive the application fee for any applicants to our graduate program.

I received a letter from the Graduate College that said I was admitted (or denied admission) to the English program. Does that mean I was also admitted (or denied admission) to the Department of English graduate program?

The Graduate College sends the official notice of admission (or denial). Hard copies of letters are no long mailed. Students may print their letters by going to MYASU. You will not receive a separate letter from the department. Admitted students will receive an informative email in April, regarding English Department graduate orientation and registration.

When will decisions about teaching assistantship or funding be made?

Decisions about teaching assistantships are usually made in March. The department will call, e-mail, or send an official offer letter via U.S. mail.

If I do not hear from the English Department by April 15, does that mean I will not be offered a teaching assistantship?

No. ASU is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools. Students who are offered financial support (T.A.) have until April 15 to make their decision. We cannot make additional T.A. offers until outstanding offers have been declined.

Can I take graduate English courses without being officially admitted to a degree program?

Yes. You may apply as a nondegree graduate student. Note that nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid.

What if I am new to the field?

Applicants to literature who hold degrees in other fields may have deficiencies to make up before applying to the program. Students should seek advice from their program directors or the graduate coordinator. For advising information visit this Web site.

Applicants to other programs need not have a degree in English, but should seek advice from the program director as to any deficient course work and/or how to make their application competitive. Students may apply as a nondegree graduate student to take deficiency classes.

What if it has been several years since I have been in school?

Often students will enroll as nondegree graduate students in order to obtain letters of recommendation from faculty, as well as writing samples, for their application. Master’s students may apply nine hours (three classes) of non-degree graduate work to their program once they are admitted. Ph.D. students may petition for nondegree course work to count at the time they do their plan of study. Nondegree students should seek advising from program directors regarding course work.

Is there an orientation for new students?

Yes. The 2009 orientation for new graduate students will be August 28, 2009, at 3 p.m. in LL 316, with a reception to follow.

Is there a foreign language requirement?

Yes. A reading knowledge of a language other than English is required. This does not apply to students whose first language is not English. See ways to fulfill this requirement. Students should fulfill their language requirement early in the program so it does not hold up graduation. Students must be enrolled in at least one graduate-level English course during the semester or summer session in which they take the exam. Students must have an approved iPOS on file before registering to take the foreign language exam. Language exam results must be posted before the student can schedule a defense. Visit the School of International Letters and Cultures for more information on the exam.

What is an interactive plan of study (iPOS)?

The iPOS becomes the official record of your program plans and is a listing of what you have already taken, are presently taking, and will take to complete your requirements. It is also the official declaration of your committee. Students must have an approved iPOS on file before registering to take the foreign language examination. Students will not be allowed to graduate in the same semester that they file an iPOS.

When do I file the iPOS?

The iPOS must be filed before the student has completed 50 percent of the program. For a 30-credit program, that would be before 15 credits. Ph.D. students must file the iPOS before their 42nd credit. Failure to file before this time may result in a hold on the student’s registration. The departmental procedure for filing the iPOS is online.

How do I register for thesis and dissertation hours, research, reading and conference, or applied project?

Download the independent study form, complete the top portion and obtain the required signature. If you are doing thesis, research, dissertation or applied project you must get your committee chair’s signature on the “instructor” line. If you are doing a reading and conference, you must obtain the signature of the professor with whom you will be working. Return the completed and signed form to the English department or to the graduate coordinator for clearance to register. You will be able to register within 48 hours of returning the form. This procedure is also used for continuing registration.

Is there a nonthesis option for the master’s program? Are there comprehensive examinations?

The M.A. programs require a thesis (6 hours). A non-thesis option for the master's program concentrations is currently being proposed.  The MTESOL program currently requires an applied project and is proposing to replace the applied project with a capstone course, to be effective 2010 The website will be updated when information is available. The M.F.A. requires a practicum. The M.A. with a concentration in comparative literature requires a written exam. The Ph.D. requires examinations and a dissertation (12 hours).

Where do Ph.D. graduates get jobs?

The English department has an excellent placement rate. For information on where our alumni are placed, visit this Web site.