Admission Requirements for Creative Writing, MFA and English, MA
Applicants should only submit one application for the dual degree program. When filling out the online application, please select MA/MFA- Master of Arts in English and Master of Fine Arts Dual Degree.
The following requirements must be met:
- An online graduate application, including personal statements.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a recommended GPA of 3.0 or better. The undergraduate major should be in one of the traditional liberal arts or in a professional or pre-professional field and accompanied by strong undergraduate training in English.
- One official transcript from each college, university, or professional school attended. Transfer credits included on a transcript must include grades earned; if not, an official transcript from the original school must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school in a sealed envelope and contain the appropriate signatures and seals to be considered official.
- Two letters of recommendation. The letters must be of a professional, not personal nature. If the student has been out of school five years or less, at least one letter must come from a professor.
- Writing samples, as requested on the online application.
International Applicants
International applicants should visit our International page for detailed information on admission requirements and application procedures. Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS are required for all students for whom English is a second language or who have not earned degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English- speaking countries (e.g. the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand). A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required. All application materials must be sent to the Office of Enrollment Management.
Deadline
The priority application deadline is March 1. After the priority deadline passes, we will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis and as space allows.
Note: The MFA program begins with the first residency in mid-August, which is listed as the Summer III semester. MAE courses begin, and MFA courses continue, with the start of the fall semester.
Financial Aid
Graduate students who have been accepted into a degree program and are enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester are eligible to apply for financial aid. Please visit our Financial Aid page for information regarding available aid options and visit our Graduate Application page to complete required forms online.
Graduate Assistantships/Graduate Student Employment
Graduate Assistantships/Graduate Student Employment may be available to graduate students registered for at least 9 credits per semester. Students may apply for assistantships upon acceptance and registration. Questions regarding graduate assistantships should be directed to the Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies at 215-572-2925.
Federal Loans
Graduate students are eligible to borrow through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan programs provided they are taking at least 6 credits per semester (in the summer, 6 credits overall summer sessions combined satisfies this requirement). For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.
Transfer Credit
Students may transfer up to six graduate credits to count towards the MA in English with approval from the Director of the Graduate Program in English. Due to the nature of the MFA program, no transfer credits are accepted. Note: Transfer credits cannot be part of a prior degree.
