Graduate Admission

Applications and Financial Aid

The Department of English welcomes your interest in the graduate program. In order that we may conduct a full and fair review, applicants are asked to provide several different kinds of information. Some are required by Wayne State University while others are specific to the English Department.

Wayne State University offers the opportunity to apply online at http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu/apply.php

The department requires that all applicants provide the following:

•  Application for Graduate Admission
•  Official Transcripts
•  Statement of Purpose—focus on academic background, interests, and aspirations (usually 2-3 pp.)
•  2 academic letters of reference
•  Sample essay from a previous English course (M.A. applicants planning to focus on Creative Writing may also submit creative work as a writing sample). A good guideline for the length of the sample essay is 10-20 pages; a good guideline for the creative writing sample is 10-15 pages of poetry or 10-25 pages of prose.
•  The English Graduate Admissions and Funding Application Form (Please download this form, fill it out completely using an Adobe software product such as Adobe Reader (which can be downloaded for free), and upload it in the electronic application for admission)
•  GRE General Test scores (*Ph.D. applications only; applicants to the M.A. program are encouraged, but not required, to submit GRE scores)

International applicants should review additional requirements at the Graduate School's website. 

ALL material should be uploaded to on-line application file on the Graduate Admission website.     

Teaching Assistantships and Fellowships

The English Department offers several awards that provide financial aid for graduate students. All graduate students and applicants are invited to apply by informing the Director of Graduate Studies of their desire to be considered for any and all awards by filling out the English Graduate Admissions and Funding Application Form (link above). All awards are allocated in January/February and begin the following academic year (i.e. August/September). 

The awards include:

DeRoy Fellowship. This one year fellowship offers a generous stipend, pays tuition and fees, and provides benefits. The DeRoy Fellowship is intended for new students. Recipients are guaranteed a teaching assistantship at the conclusion of the fellowship as long as they are in good standing and making normal progress toward the degree. All applicants are eligible for consideration; those with an interest in Film and Media Studies are particularly encouraged to apply.

Rumble Fellowships. These one year fellowships offer a stipend, pay tuition and fees, and provide benefits. Both entering and continuing students are eligible to apply. Recipients are guaranteed a teaching assistantship at the conclusion of the fellowship as long as they are in good standing and making normal progress toward the degree.

Teaching Assistantships. These continuing awards offer a stipend, pay tuition and fees, and provide benefits. Both entering and continuing students are invited to apply. Awards can range from one to six years. Length of award is determined by the number of years needed to complete the degree as determined by Wayne State University 's regulations. Recipients ordinarily teach 3 courses per year. Renewal is contingent upon being in good standing and making normal progress toward the degree.

Other Scholarships and Writing Awards.  The Department offers a number of special scholarships and awards for registered graduate students.  Due dates for submission of materials is during the Winter semester and recipients are honored at a ceremony each Spring.  For more information, please contact Caroline Maun, Director of Graduate Studies.  

If you are applying simultaneously for admission to the English graduate program and a teaching assistantship or fellowship distributed by the English Department, it is not necessary to duplicate materials. Indicate your interest in applying for financial aid in your English Graduate Admissions and Funding Form. 

In addition to those awards distributed by the English Department, applicants are encouraged to apply for any other scholarships and aid for which they qualify. In particular, all applicants for departmental aid should also apply for the Graduate Professional Scholarship available through the Graduate School.

For general program questions:  gradenglish@wayne.edu

Richard Marback
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of English
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202    313-577-7694
aa4749@wayne.edu 

Due Dates for Applications:

• Ph.D. Applicants for Fall Admission -- December 15:  All Ph.D. applicants (the Department only admits Ph.D. students for the Fall term).
• M.A. Applicants for Fall Term --February 15 -- August 1st:  M.A. applicants for Fall term (M.A. applicants who wish to be considered for graduate teaching assistantships should apply by February 15th).
• M.A. Applicants for Winter Term -- October 15th:  M.A. applicants for Winter term. Students entering in the Winter term are not eligible for graduate funding consideration, although they may apply in a subsequent semester.