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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

The English Department admits PhD students only for fall terms. No exceptions.The deadline for fall admission is January 1st.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

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

Applicants 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 literature) indicated in the appropriate blank.
  2. Official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate academic work.
  3. Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination for students whose native language is not English.

Second, applicants should send the following materials via e-mail attachment directly to the Graduate Studies in English Office of the Department of English at GradEnglishStudies@unt.edu:

  1. Letter of intent. The letter should describe the applicant's scholarly field of interest or creative genre of specialization. It should explain why the applicant wants to work toward a Doctor of Philosophy with a major in English.
  2. Writing Sample(s). Applicants in literature must submit one substantial example of critical writing (12-20 pages). Those applying for the concentration in creative writing must also submit one substantial example of critical writing (12-20 pages). Students applying for creative writing must also submit a sample of their creative writing (10 pages of poetry, 15-25 pages of fiction, or 15-25 pages of nonfiction).
  3. Three confidential letters of reference that assess the applicant's potential contribution to the discipline. Please provide referees with the above e-mail address for file attachment.
  4. A current curriculum vitae.

Note: Students should indicate in the e-mail whether or not access is granted to letters of recommendation.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

Applicants must meet the qualifications for admission set by the Toulouse Graduate School as well as departmental admission requirements. Applicants may pursue a Ph.D. in English by writing a literature dissertation or a creative dissertation. Admission to the doctoral program in English is competitive. Applicants with only a BA in hand at the time of admission are not eligible for funding through a teaching fellowship from UNT, and will only be admitted if they can fund their coursework through some other means.

All applicants must meet the following minimum standards.

  1. TOEFL. Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit TOEFL scores. Applicants accepted have presented TOEFL computer-based test scores ranging from 233 to 293, and scores on the internet-based TOEFL have ranged from 87 to 115.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

  • January 1 for admission in the fall semester. PhD applicants are only admitted for the fall term.

If you have questions about the degree or application process, please contact the Graduate Studies in English Office at GradEnglishStudies@unt.edu or 940-565-2273.

Please use the following link to access the Graduate English Handbook.