Application and Admissions to the Graduate Program in English

U.S. citizens and permanent residents:

• January 15 is the priority deadline for applying for a graduate teaching assistantship or departmental scholarship or fellowship. For applications received after January 15, GTAs are awarded as available.
• August 1 for Fall (August) admission.
• December 1 for Spring (January) admission.

International applicants:

• December 1 for fall (August) admission (including priority deadline for a graduate teaching assistantship or departmental scholarship or fellowship).
• July 1 for spring (January) admission.

For information on how to apply for the online M.A., click here.

To apply to the in-person program, prospective students should submit the following materials through the application form:

• Statement of objectives. A 2-3 page account of your academic aims and interests.
• Writing sample of 8-15 pages of analytical or persuasive prose. (If you would like to enter the Creative Writing track, you should submit a writing sample of either 10-30 pages of prose or 6-10 poems, in addition to your analytical writing sample.)
• Copy of official transcript from each college or university you have attended. These transcripts may be submitted electronically or sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies at the address above.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to speak informatively about your academic performance and potential for advanced study in English. These letters may be submitted electronically through our application or may be sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies at the address below. Interfolio letters should be emailed to <gradeng@ksu.edu>.
• GRE scores. Neither the General test nor the Subject test is required. If you have taken the GRE and would like to share your scores with us, please arrange with ETS to have a copy of your score report sent to Kansas State University (Institution Code: R6334).
• Application fee paid through the application form ($65 for US citizens and permanent residents, $75 for international applicants).

International applicants must also submit the following:

• TOEFL or IELTS score report. To be considered for admission, applicants who are submitting a TOEFL score must have a minimum of 92 on the iBT (internet-based TOEFL). Applicants with a score of 7.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam may also be considered for admission.
• Kansas State University's financial affidavit.
• International applicants who would like to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship will need to make arrangements to take the SPEAK test here at Kansas State University before they begin their GTA duties.

Admission to the Program

Applicants are expected to have performed at a B level or better in their undergraduate work, but the department bases its primary judgment on the student's performance in English courses. The department considers applications holistically, with grades only one factor in admissions decisions.

The department realizes that many persons do not mature as students until late in their undergraduate careers and so may be willing to accept students with less than the expected grade average if the students' final semesters indicate abilities to do graduate work.

The department also recognizes that students who have majored in fields other than English as undergraduates may choose English for their graduate work. Such students may be admitted with provisional standing and are enrolled in courses for undergraduate credit until any deficiencies are made up.