About Master’s Program,
The Graduate Program in English offers the Masters of Arts (M.A.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. Students in the M.A. program emphasize one of two tracks: (1) Literature, Media, and Culture; (2) Rhetoric and Composition. M.F.A. students emphasize Creative Writing. Students pursuing an M.A. in Literature, Media, and Culture must complete the Capstone Course in Professional Writing (ENG 5971). See the Graduate Handbook for description. Students in Rhetoric and Composition may write a thesis or take a portfolio examination. Creative Writing students present a body of creative work for the thesis.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree; OR
A graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution; AND Test Scores. (See below)
Applicants must submit an official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college and/or university attended to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions. Official transcripts for these credits must also be submitted. Applicants from U.S. institutions must submit an official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college and/or university attended to the Office of Graduate Admissions. FSU transcripts or official transcripts already on file will be obtained by the Office of Admissions.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
The majority of students in the Graduate English Program receive support in the form of a teaching assistantship. Teaching assistants are provided with a stipend, a tuition waiver, and a health-insurance subsidy. TAs are often invited to teach during the summer term for an additional stipend. Typically, MA students receive a two-year assistantship, MFA students receive a three-year assistantship. PhD students receive a four-year assistantship but are eligible to apply for a fifth year contingent on satisfactory progress through the degree program and availability of funds.
All MA students and all MFA and PhD students who have not previously taught college-level writing classes must do six weeks of in-person TA training in our Summer B session (which, in 2025, begins June 23). Students receive a full tuition waiver for those classes.
All PhD students who have taught before must be in Tallahassee for training and onboarding in August (2025 start date is TBA but will not be sooner than Aug. 11). The Fall 2025 semester begins Aug. 25.
The English Department gives out several awards and scholarships, the most significant of which is the Kingsbury Writing Award. The FSU Graduate School also offers fellowships and awards including Legacy Fellowships, McKnight Doctoral Fellowships, and University Dissertation Fellowships. For more information, see below.
Application Requirement,
- Statement of Purpose
- Résumé/Curriculum Vitae
- Writing Sample (see specifics below)
- Three recommendation letters
- Unofficial Transcripts (from every university attended)
- Official transcripts must be supplied if admitted,
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
The application fee is 30.00USD. You will be able to pay by credit card, debit card,
