applicants:
please submit all supporting documents to
the office of research and graduate studies
(address listed below)


Applying to the graduate programs

Application Deadlines (Fall admittance only for both programs):

Ph.D. Program: January 15.

            M.A. Program: February 1.

Ph.D. Program:

Students applying to the Ph.D. program should provide:

• an application form and fee (via the Office of Research and Graduate Studies);
• statement of interest;
• official transcripts for all post-high school academic work;
• three letters of recommendation;
• official GRE scores; and
• one 15-20 page writing sample.  Please DO NOT send in samples in excess of 30 pages.

M.A. Program:

Students applying to the M.A. English Graduate Program should have an undergraduate major in English, or demonstrate intensive study in the liberal arts that includes a solid background in English language literatures. Typically, applicants should have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a GRE of 600 (prior to August 1, 2011) or 160 (August 1, 2011 and after) on the verbal section.  Proficiency in one relevant foreign language is strongly recommended prior to matriculation.

Students applying to the M.A. program should provide:

• an application form and fee (via the Office of Research and Graduate Studies);
• a statement of interest in the program and degree;
• three letters of recommendation;
• official transcripts for all post-high school academic work;
• official GRE scores; and
• one 5-10 page writing sample.

Prospective students may obtain application materials by e-mailing the Office of Research and Graduate Studies (smugrad@smu.edu), or by visiting their website smu.edu/graduate.  Prospective students wishing to apply can access this application by visiting http://smu.edu/graduate/apply.asp. 

All documents, including the writing sample, should be submitted directly to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275-0240.  To check the status of your application, please call (214) 768-4345 or e-mail smugrad@smu.edu.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) University code for the GRE is 6660.  The department code for English Language and Literature is 2501. 

International students interested in applying to our graduate programs are required to have their foreign transcripts evaluated into comparable United States standards.  World Education Services is a service program accepted by SMU, which will evaluate foreign transcripts at a nominal fee payable by the applicant.  International students holding a degree from a U.S. degree-granting institution may be able to waive this requirement.  Please contact the Director of English Graduate Studies to discuss this matter further.