Department of English
How to Apply
The Department of English houses a PhD program in English studies, which admits applicants both with and without previously earned master's degrees, and a Master's program in literature. It also offers an MFA in Creative Writing.
To request a paper application or direct questions to the Graduate English program, please call (215) 204-1796 or email logansd@temple.edu.
Admission to the Literature Program
To be accepted into the MA or PhD programs, a student should have the equivalent of an undergraduate concentration in English with broad chronological coverage. Applicants are required to declare their terminal degree at the time of application, although PhD students can choose to stop at the Master's degree.
Admission to the Creative Writing Program
More information on how to apply to the Creative Writing program can be found here.
Admission Information
Applicants for admission to the graduate programs in English must submit the following documents to the English department to be considered for admission:
Graduate School application: complete online or send paper application to:
Temple University
Department of English (022-29)
[Program name to which you are applying]
Anderson Hall, 10th Floor
1114 Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6090
Requirements for Application
- Transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended (including Temple)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the general test (scores good for 5 years)
- Literature program applicants (MA and PhD): scores for the GRE Literature in English subject test (scores good for 5 years)
- Foreign applicants: TOEFL scores (minimum score 575)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons in a position to evaluate their past work, as well as their ability to do graduate work in literary criticism or creative writing
- A personal statement that discusses a plan of study and career goals
- A sample of written work: an essay in literary criticism or rhetorical analysis for literature applicants and a portfolio of poetry or fiction for creative writing applicants
- Resume
- A personal interview may be requested. A student with some deficiencies in these respects may apply for admission. Such a student may be admitted to a degree program with the provision that one or more courses be taken in addition to the normal requirements.
Application Deadlines
The deadline for completed applications is December 15; applications are accepted only for Fall admission.
Reapplication
Applicants to the graduate programs are not invited to reapply for admission once they have been rejected.
Transfer Credits
Students who have earned graduate credits or a Master's degree at another institution can transfer a maximum of 15 credits toward the course work requirement for the PhD.