MA & PhD

All applications are completed online. Current UIC English MA students do not apply to the PhD program via Slate. Test scores, transcripts, online application, and application fee are not required for these students. Please contact the Graduate Program Director before December 15th to arrange for submission of materials.

The application requires the following materials:

• Official online application
• Non-refundable application fee of US $70 (note: international students also pay a nonrefundable US $100 fee)
• Transcripts (see the official UIC Admissions Domestic Requirements or International Requirements pages for more information on acceptable transcripts)
• Statement of purpose: a statement of about 500 words presenting your reasons for pursuing graduate work in English, and relating that work to professional and other goals
• 20-page writing sample:
  • English Studies candidates should upload only a standard writing sample of no more than 20 pages in an area reflective of your graduate research interests. A creative sample is not required.
  • Applications for the Program for Writers should upload one creative writing sample, approximately 20 pages of prose and/or 5 to 8 poems. Poetry may be single-spaced but prose must be double-spaced, and all samples should use a font no smaller than 12 pts. Please indicate whether the prose is creative nonfiction, short fiction or an excerpt from a novel. Program for Writers applicants for the PhD can also submit an optional 20-page critical writing sample.
• CV / resume
• Three letters of recommendation. These are uploaded electronically by the recommender. While completing your application, you will be prompted to add the contact information of your three references, including email and phone number.
• Completed Admissions Review Cover Sheet (.pdf).

You may check on the status of your application by logging in to the application page after submitting.

International applicants

The deadline and requirements for international applicants are the same as they are for domestic applicants.   Please visit UIC Admissions International Requirements page for details specific to international applications, including English proficiency requirements.

Note that international applicants are assessed an extra $100 fee upon submission to help cover the cost of verifying international credentials.

Funding

All accepted students are considered automatically for university awards, so no special instructions are necessary. The Application for Graduate Appointment is used in these applications for Graduate College fellowships and awards. Admitted PhD students are offered a minimum of six years of full funding as a TA; admitted MA students have the option to pursue a TA position in the department in the second year.

For students who do not receive a Teaching Assistantship in their first year, Graduate Assistantships are often available on campus and may carry a tuition waiver.

Non-Degree

Non-degree English students must follow the same application procedures but may take until May 15 to do so. Once accepted, they may enroll in any English class.

Non-degree (unassigned) students only need to submit unofficial transcripts and complete the online application and there is no deadline, but they must petition to join each class.

Questions?

Visit our FAQ page.

Baccalaureate Field

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in English or the equivalent that includes a balanced program in English and American literature beyond the level of sophomore surveys. Applicants who intend to concentrate in Creative Writing may have an undergraduate major or a graduate degree in any field, if they show substantial evidence of ability to complete the work in literature required for the degree in English.

NOTE: The English Department does accept applications from prospective students who have degrees in other fields, but we place all applications in equal competition, and students with undergraduate experience in English are often better aligned with our program goals than those who have degrees in other fields.

Grade Point Average

At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and for all graduate work.

Tests Required

• TOEFL (international students only)
  600 (paper-based); 250 (computer-based); 95, with minimum subscores of Reading 24, Listening 24, Speaking 24, and Writing 22 (iBT Internet-based TOEFL).
• IELTS (international students only)
  7.0, with subscores of 6.5 for all four subscores.

Baccalaureate Field

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in English, or the equivalent that includes a balanced program in English and American literature beyond the level of sophomore surveys. Applicants who intend to concentrate in Creative Writing may have an undergraduate major or a graduate degree in any field, if they show substantial evidence of ability to complete the work in literature required for the degree in English.

Master’s Degree

A degree at the Master’s level is not required to apply. However, applicants with a degree at the Master’s level (MA, MS, MFA) tend to have more scholarly experience and academic goals that are more aligned with our program. Since 2000, we have only accepted two candidates to the PhD program who did not have a degree at the Master’s level.

Current UIC English MA students should contact the Graduate Program Director before December 15th to arrange for submission of materials. (They should not submit an online application.)

NOTE: The English Department does accept applications from prospective students who have degrees in other fields, but we place all applications in equal competition, and students with undergraduate experience in English are often better aligned with our program goals than those who have degrees in other fields.

Grade Point Average

At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and for all graduate work.

Tests Required

• TOEFL (international students only)
  600 (paper-based); 250 (computer-based); 95, with minimum subscores of Reading 24, Listening 24, Speaking 24, and Writing 22 (iBT Internet-based TOEFL).
• IELTS (international students only)
  7.0, with subscores of 6.5 for all four subscores.