Master of Arts in English

Prospective students can learn more about requirements they'll need to meet in order to apply to the program. 

Notification of Admissions Decision

Once the applicant has completed their interview with the program director, they will typically wait one to two weeks before the Admissions Committee reviews submitted materials and makes a decision. The applicant will be notified by email about the decision.

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 us.

• Application Fee

  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.

• Apply Online

  If your application is incomplete when submitted, it will be held until the 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.

  Master of Arts in English Application

• Bachelor's Degree (in English Preferred)

  To be accepted, you must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or be in the final semester of your undergraduate degree. We prefer an undergraduate degree in English with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major. Students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines are welcome to apply! 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.

• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  You should upload a current resume or CV to the online application form. Your resume should include contact information and a summary of your educational background and work experience.

• 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 must 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. See the International Student and Scholar Center website to see how language competency may be confirmed.

  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. Find approved evaluation companies through NACES.

• Interview with the Program Director

  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 areas of study will be discussed. If you are not in the local area, the interview can be conducted via Zoom.

  We will contact you to set up your interview after we have received all of your application materials.

• Letter of Intent

  In approximately 300 words, describe your academic background, relevant experience and what you hope to achieve in the Master of Arts in English Program. Upload your letter of intent directly to the online application.

• Three Letters of Recommendation

  We require 3-5 letters of recommendation. When filling out your online application, enter the email addresses of those providing your recommendations. We will then email them 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.

  Note: No recommendations from clergy or family.

• Transcripts

  Transcripts from all institutions of higher education must be requested by you from each institution before the application deadline. Please have those sent directly to the Master's program:

  Master of Arts in English Program
  Weber State University
  1395 Edvalson St Dept 1404
  Ogden, UT 84408-1404

• Transfer Credit

  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 Weber State University (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.

• Writing Sample (4-8 pages)

  • 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 two short essays or a long essay. Excerpts are okay. 
  • Creative Writing applicants must include at least 5 pages of creative work in addition to their literary argument/analysis.
  • 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.
  • For writing prompts, please contact us at masterofenglish@weber.edu.

   

  Writing Sample Guidelines
  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.

  If you are worried about whether your sample is appropriate for the task, please contact us. Alternatively, if you don’t feel you currently have a sample that works, 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.