2. ADMISSION TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM
Most students admitted to the M.A. program in English have completed an undergraduate degree in English or an allied field with a record of academic distinction. The application to the M.A. program includes Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Aptitude Test scores, taken within the last five years, at or above the 60th percentile on the verbal and analytical scales; a strong writing sample of critical work from an undergraduate class; and three letters of recommendation. Applicants who have been away from school for a long period of time might want to write an essay explaining their decision to return to school to seek an advanced degree in English. However, the Graduate Program recognizes that not all people fit this profile and welcomes applications from individuals who can make a strong case that they will succeed in the M.A. program. The M.A. Admissions Committee is responsible for evaluating all application materials and for making admissions decisions. Non-native English speakers must present TOEFL scores of at least 550 for the written exam or at least 213 for the on-line version.
Admission to the M.F.A. degree program in creative writing is based primarily on the excellence of a substantial writing sample in fiction, nonfiction or poetry (10-20 pages of poetry; 20 to 30 pages of prose). An admissions committee made up of members of the English graduate faculty with specialties in creative writing examines applications for excellence and promise. Normally, prospective candidates for the degree of Master of Fine Arts are expected to have completed a Bachelor’s degree in English. Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude Test scores are required (recommended at or above the 60th percentile on the verbal and analytical scales), as are letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program are admitted based on their academic record, three recommendations from former teachers, a statement of professional goals, and a sample of their academic writing. In addition applicants must submit their scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude Test (at or above the 60th percentile on the verbal and analytical scales) and the “Literature in English” subject test (at or above the 70th percentile), both taken within the last five years. Non-native English speakers must present TOEFL scores of at least 550 for the written exam or at least 213 for the on-line version. All admission decisions are made by the Ph.D. Admissions Committee.
Entering doctoral students must enroll in the Graduate Colloquium (ENGL 799) during their first fall semester in residence. (See 5.1)
Graduate students may continue in a program for a maximum of eight years under their original application. All requirements for an M.A. and M.F.A. degree must be completed within eight years following admission to the program. For doctoral students, all degree requirements, including the dissertation, must be completed within five years after passing the Examination for Formal Admission to Candidacy. (See the West Virginia University Graduate Catalog for exceptions.)
2.1 Deadline for Application to the Graduate Program
All application material for the M.A., M.F.A, and Ph.D. programs must be completed no later than January 15 for the following fall semester admissions. Decisions regarding graduate teaching assistantships will be made in early March for the next academic year.