Main navigation
- Programs
- Subjects
- Universities
- Destinations
- Advice
Our dynamic department hosts approximately 60 graduate students, primarily funded through teaching assistantships or various scholarships. Annually, our graduate students demonstrate exceptional talent as writers, scholars, and educators through their publications, creative works, academic presentations, and award-winning achievements. Western Michigan University's English Department provides three advanced degree programs: Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy. Specialization options encompass creative writing, English education, and literature/language studies.
As an applicant to the doctoral degree program, you must have an M.A. in English, an M.A. in English with an emphasis in teaching, or an M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In rare instances, you may be admitted directly from the B.A. to the Ph.D. level, if you also have a great deal of professional or academic experience. If you have a master’s degree in an area other than English, English education or creative writing, you may have to take extra coursework in order to make up deficiencies.
Minimum English proficiency test scores:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 80 iBT
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6.5
Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE): 54
Michigan English Test (MET): 57
Application deadlines:
For Fall semester: January 10.