Application and Admissions to the Graduate Program in English
In-Person and Online M.A. Program
We offer two ways to complete our M.A. in English: in-person and online. As outlined below, there is separate application process for each.
For the in-person M.A., we offer five tracks: Literature; Children's Literature; Creative Writing; Cultural Studies; or Composition and Rhetoric. For the online M.A., we currently offer two tracks (Children's Literature and Creative Writing).
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) are available to students completing the in-person M.A. program.
Application Deadlines
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.
Application Requirements
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.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Most M.A. students applying for the in-person M.A. program qualify to be GTAs and are provided valuable teaching experience as well as financial support.
GTAs usually teach three sections of Expository Writing per year and participate in a teacher advisory program. GTAs with seniority may teach fewer sections and gain supervised experience in the department's writing center.
The stipend for a nine-month contract is $12,000. All teaching assistantships come with a full tuition waiver and the opportunity to enroll in the University's health insurance program. GTAs are sometimes given opportunities to teach in summer school.
GTAs are responsible for fees. For a detailed breakdown of fees, please view the university's comprehensive fee schedule.
To apply for a GTA assistantship, simply select "YES" in response to the question "Would you like to be considered for a scholarship or fellowship?" on the application form.
Department Awards
New M.A. students may compete for additional scholarships, which are usually awarded as supplements or additions to a GTA award.
To apply for a scholarship, simply select "YES" in response to the question "Would you like to be considered for a scholarship or fellowship?" on the application form. For a description of the awards, please see the list of awards.
Financial Aid
Inquires for other kinds of financial assistance -- such as student loans -- should be sent to the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Fairchild Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-1104.
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 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 are usually admitted with provisional standing and are enrolled in courses for undergraduate credit until any deficiencies are made up.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the program or the application process, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Director of Graduate Studies:
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of English
108 English/Counseling Services Building
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-6501
Office Telephone: (785) 532-6716
FAX: (785) 532-2192
Email: gradeng@ksu.edu
