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MA in Creative Writing and MA in Literature

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

Application to either MA program is a two-step process.

A. All applicants for the MA program should send the following materials directly to the Toulouse Graduate School by applying through  ApplyTexas (Spring 2025) or GradCAS (Summer 2025 and later).

  1. A completed Graduate Studies Application form with the intended major (creative writing or English) indicated in the appropriate blank.

  2. Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students whose native language is not English.

  3. Official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate academic work.

B. All applicants must send their supplemental documents to GradEnglishStudies@unt.edu in PDF format. In the body of your email, please indicate whether you waive your rights to access the letters of recommendation.

  1. a 300-500 word personal statement describing the applicant's specific area of interest, career plans, and purpose in working toward an MA;

  2. curriculum vitae;

  3. a writing sample appropriate for the MA program to which you are applying. Please see the program application requirements below for more information.

  4. two letters of recommendation that assess the candidate's potential for pursuing graduate-level work in the appropriate field. Please provide referees the GradEnglishStudies@unt.edu address for file attachment.

The deadline for regular Fall admission to all M.A. programs is January 1.

Admission decisions are generally announced 10 weeks after the deadline, via email.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION

Applicants must first meet the qualifications for admission set by the Toulouse Graduate School. To be eligible for admission to the MA with a major in English or creative writing, applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate semester credit hours prior to receiving a bachelor's degree or a 2.8 GPA on all undergraduate work. Applicants accepted into the MA program have presented verbal scores ranging from the 50th to the 98th percentile and analytical writing scores ranging from 3.0 to 6.0. Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit a score on the TOEFL examination. Scores on the computer-based TOEFL examination have ranged from 231 to 255, and scores on the internet-based TOEFL have ranged from 87 to 108. TOEFL scores are not accepted in lieu of GRE scores.

Applicants for the MA program must also meet the departmental qualifications for admission by having completed up to 24 hours of undergraduate course work in English. Applicants with fewer than 24 hours of undergraduate course work in English may be admitted to the program, and the director of graduate studies will determine the prerequisite course work based on an applicant's educational background and area of scholarly interest.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Full-time students in English who meet all qualifications may apply to be academic assistants or graders. Occasionally opportunities arise for those having completed 18 graduate hours to apply for a teaching fellowship. All applications are available at english.unt.edu/graduate/job-opportunities.

APPLICANTS FOR THE MA WITH A MAJOR IN CREATIVE WRITING

Application for admission to our Master of Arts program is a two-part process:

First, visit UNT's Toulouse Graduate School admissions page and apply through ApplyTexas (Spring 2025) or GradCAS (Summer 2025 and later).

All applicants for the MA program should send the following materials directly to the Toulouse Graduate School:

  1. A completed Graduate Studies Application form with the intended major (creative writing or English) indicated in the appropriate blank.
  2. Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students whose native language is not English.
  3. Official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate academic work.

Second, email the following documents to GradEnglishStudies@unt.edu in PDF format. In the body of your email, please indicate whether you waive your rights to access the letters of recommendation.

  1. a 300-500 word personal statement describing the applicant's specific area of interest (creative nonfiction, fiction or poetry), career plans, and purpose in working toward an MA;
  2. curriculum vitae;

  3. a writing sample (10 pages of poetry, 15-25 pages of fiction, or 15-25 pages of nonfiction);

  4. two letters of recommendation that assess the candidate's potential for pursuing graduate-level work in creative writing. Please provide referees the above e-mail address for file attachment.

The deadline for admission into the M.A. program in Creative Writing is January 1.

Admission decisions are generally announced 10 weeks after the deadline, via email.

For general program information, please see the Graduate Handbook for English Students.

APPLICANTS FOR THE MA WITH A MAJOR IN ENGLISH

Application for admission to our Master of Arts program is a two-part process:

First, visit UNT's Toulouse Graduate School admissions page and apply through through ApplyTexas (Spring 2025) or GradCAS (Summer 2025 and later).

All applicants for the MA program should send the following materials directly to the Toulouse Graduate School:

  1. A completed Graduate Studies Application form with the intended major (creative writing or English) indicated in the appropriate blank.
  2. Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students whose native language is not English.
  3. Official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate academic work.

Second, email the following documents to GradEnglishStudies@unt.edu in PDF format. In the body of your email, please indicate whether you waive your rights to access the letters of recommendation.

  1. a 300-500 word personal statement describing the applicant's specific area of literary interest, career plans, and purpose in working toward an MA;
  2. a curriculum vitae;

  3. a sample of critical, literary analysis and interpretation (10-15 pages);

  4. two letters of recommendation that assess the candidate's potential for pursuing graduate level work in English literature. Please provide referees the above e-mail address for file attachment.

The deadline for early admission into the M.A. program in Literature is September 15; students who are accepted under early admission for Literature may enroll either the next Spring or the following Fall term.

For general program information, please see the Graduate Handbook for English Students.