Program Detail

English Language and Literature (MA/PhD)

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Basic Information

Degree Information

Degree Offered:
Campus: Seattle

Admission Requirements and Contact Information

Application materials must be received by the application deadline, December 1st.

Contact Information
English Graduate Studies
Program Website
+1 206-543-6077
englgrad@uw.edu

Requirements and Prerequisites
Four-year BA from a regionally accredited college or university

A minimum 3.0 grade-point-average on a 4-point scale (or equivalent measures of performance if a graduate of an institution with no grading system) for those credits earned at the institution awarding the bachelor’s degree OR at least a 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4-point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits. For more information, please refer to UW Graduate School Policy 3.1.

*We admit students to the MA/PhD program with funding in the form of an ASE teaching position. Non-native English speakers must meet the requirements listed in UW Graduate School Policy 5.2. in order to be eligible to teach.

Please be sure to submit all of the required application materials:

Meet the UW Graduate School's Minimum Admissions Requirements
Unofficial Transcripts from All Colleges or Universities Attended
Statement of Purpose (500 - 1,000 words)
Critical Writing Sample (15 - 20 pages)
Three Letters of Recommendation
Proof of English Language Proficiency (Non-native English Speakers Only) *We admit students to the MA/PhD program with funding in the form of an Academic Student Employee (ASE) teaching position. Non-native English speakers must meet the requirements listed in the UW Graduate School’s Policy 5.2: Conditions of Appointment for TAs who are not Native Speakers of English in order to be eligible to teach.

More information on the application materials can be found on the MA/PhD Checklist website.

Additional Instructions
Recommendation instructions:

Use the online application to provide contact information for three people who will submit letters of recommendation (you may submit up to four names).
The most useful recommendations come from college professors familiar with your work as a student. Letters from employers are only helpful if your work was directly related to writing or teaching.
We urge applicants to have a full discussion with all prospective recommenders prior to seeking their recommendation. Recommenders should be aware of where you will be applying and of your academic and professional goals. Your aim is to select recommenders who believe your goals are well-suited to your talents.

The MA/PhD Program typically offers funding to all admitted students. After you have submitted your application, you will see a link to “Post-Application Question(s)-A&S Humanities” in the Application Checklist. Please be sure to open this link and submit your response. More information about our funding package can be found on our MA/PhD FAQ website.

Please do not send application materials via mail. All application materials should be submitted online.

NOTE: Please be aware that the Department of English offers an integrated MA/PhD in English Language & Literature. Successful applicants who have not completed a relevant master's degree will be admitted at the master's level and will complete the MA in English Language & Literature en route to the PhD. Successful applicants who have completed a relevant master's degree are not required to complete an MA in English at UW, and may be able to waive up to 10 credits of the PhD coursework requirement.

Non-Native English Speaker Information
Graduate School requirement: English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency as outlined in Graduate School Policy 3.2.

International Student Information
Applicants who will need a visa should reference the International Applicant Information page. If admitted to the program, international students requesting an F-1 or J-1 visa will be required to provide financial ability documentation to the UW Graduate School.

GRE score report code, (if applicable)

4854

Program Deadlines

Autumn 2025 - Domestic:
Open Date: 09/01/2024
Deadline Date: 12/02/2024

Autumn 2025 - International:
Open Date: 09/01/2024
Deadline Date: 12/02/2024

Application Materials

Essay
3 Recommendation
Statement of Purpose