You must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or be in the final semester of your undergraduate degree to be accepted. Undergraduate degree in English with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major (preferred). The minimum required cumulative undergraduate grade point average for admission is 3.0. If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, admission may be based on a GPA based on the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate work.
Students with undergraduate degrees not in English are welcome to apply and may receive conditional admission.
Transfer credit must be approved by the program director and cannot exceed 11 credit hours. Transfer classes must be at appropriate levels and fulfill the objectives of the master’s degree at WSU. No courses for which credit was used to fulfill the requirements of another degree may be used toward the master’s degree at WSU. You must successfully complete a minimum of 2/3 of your requirements with WSU courses to meet graduate residency requirements.
If your application is incomplete at the time of submission, it will be held until missing items are received. You can log in to the application site to check your status. We will also notify you via email regarding admission decisions.
A 4-8 page writing sample is required to apply. It can be uploaded directly to your online application as a PDF file.
This sample must be an example of a literary argument/analysis. It may include 2 short essays or 1 long essay, excerpts are okay.
Creative Writing applicants must include at least 5 pages of creative work in addition to their literary argument/analysis (mentioned above).
The committee will accept papers with faculty feedback already noted but would prefer a polished example of your writing. A works-cited page should be included, preferably in MLA formatting.
We require 3-5 letters of recommendation. Enter the email addresses of those providing your recommendations when filling out your online application. We will contact them via email with instructions to complete a brief evaluation of key characteristics. Space is available to add written comments or upload letters of recommendation, but they are not required.
In approximately 300 words, describe your academic background, relevant experience and what you specifically hope to achieve in the Master of Arts in English Program. Upload your letter of intent directly to the online application.
You should upload a current resume to the online application form. Your resume should include contact information as well as a summary of your educational background and work experience.
Each application must be accompanied by a $60 (U.S.) graduate application fee ($95 for international/non-U.S. resident applicants). This may be paid online with a credit card at the end of the online application form. Personal checks or money orders are also accepted and should be made payable to Weber State University and sent to:
Master of Arts in English Program
Weber State University
1395 Edvalson St Dept 1404
Ogden, UT 84408-1404
Applications will not be reviewed until payment is received.
You will be required to meet with the Program Director. Once your application is complete, you will be contacted by the program to set up an interview, which generally takes about 30 minutes. This meeting is an opportunity for you to discuss the program with the director. Your goals, interests and possible areas of project interest will be discussed. If you are not in the local area, the interview can be conducted via Skype, FaceTime or phone.
Your writing sample should demonstrate your skill both as a writer and as a reader. The committee is looking for samples that show the student’s ability to analyze a work of literature and to shape those impressions into a coherent argument about the text. Your sample may include two shorter pieces, one medium-length piece, and/or an excerpt from a longer essay.
If you are worried about whether your sample is appropriate for the task, please email or call (801-626-7179) for help. Alternatively, if you don’t feel you currently have a sample that would work, we are happy to provide you with some writing prompts to get you started.
Applicants to the Creative Writing option should also include a short segment of their creative work.
International Applicants
1. Submit Materials Early
Submit all application materials at least 60 days prior to the deadline to allow for international admission review.
2. Complete Additional Paperwork
If you are an international applicant or have completed courses outside the U.S., you will need to complete additional paperwork to comply with university and United States INS regulations. For more information, contact the International Student Services Office at 801-626-6853, or visit the International Student and Scholar Center.
3. Be Competent in English
You must be able to comprehend and speak English fluently, as well as read and write English competently. Language competency may be confirmed by 1 of the following:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Have your official score report sent to the program office. Tests must not be more than 2 years old and have a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79–80 (internet-based).
International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Have your official score report sent to the program office. Tests must not be more than 2 years old and have a minimum score of 6.5.
Completion of a program for learning English as a second language at a regionally accredited, U.S. institution of higher learning, such as English as a Second Language (ESL), or the Learning English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) program at Weber State University.
4. Evaluated transcripts
To receive credit for your college work from any colleges or universities that you have attended outside of the United States, you will need to have your coursework evaluated by a foreign credentials evaluation company. Evaluations need to be done course-by-course.
You will be notified by email about the decision the Admissions Committee has reached about your application.
Each application is reviewed in depth by the Admissions Committee. Careful consideration is given to the overall balance of participants we seek for the program. If you have any questions about the application process, contact the administrative assistant at 801-626-7179 or masterofenglish@weber.edu.
