Department of English

How to Apply

The application process for all UNCG Graduate Programs is now online through the Slate Application Network on the UNCG Graduate School website (click on Prospective Students, then click Apply Online).

Deadline for priority consideration for fellowships and funding: December 15.

Deadline for second-round consideration for fellowships and funding: January 1.

Deadline for consideration of admission only: January 15.

All materials need to be submitted to the UNCG Graduate School online (i.e. official transcripts) by the deadline.

The PhD is targeted to those preparing for careers in teaching and research in colleges and universities. Most applicants to the program already hold the MA degree; some applicants are accepted directly with the BA into an MA-PhD track.

After you have created an application account, you will be able to go in and add and save information until the application is complete and you are ready to submit. When you have completed your application and are ready to submit it, you can pay your application fee online via credit card. No application will be processed until the application fee is paid.

Besides the application information and fee, the following materials should be added to your online application:

1. Official transcripts of all previous work showing a major or graduate work in English, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the undergraduate major. You should request that the Registrar’s office either submit the transcripts electronically or mail them directly to the UNCG Graduate School.
2. Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic achievements. In your application you will be entering the names and email addresses of your recommenders, and the Slate system will contact them through email. Recommenders will upload their references directly into the Slate system.
3. At the upload button labeled “Supplemental Materials A” (or “Application Essay”) attach the Word document that contains a sample of your critical or scholarly writing (not to exceed 30 pages).
4. At the upload button labeled “Supplemental Materials B” (or “Resume”) attach one Word document that contains in this order a) statement of purpose (2-3 pages) with your name at the top, and b) your current CV or resume

Applications are reviewed on an annual basis.

Financial Aid: Two kinds of financial aid are available to doctoral students through the English Department. Students may request a teaching assistantship; if needed, an out-of-state tuition waiver may accompany an assistantship. Teaching Assistants teach three sections of composition per year (one section in one semester and two in the other) plus a writing center assignment. Teaching assistantships may be renewed for three additional years for students making good progress in the program. The department nominates its most outstanding applicants for competitive fellowships, some of which carry a current value of $22,000 and an out-of-state tuition waiver, if needed. Applicants whose materials are completed by January 1 are considered for assistantships and fellowships. For information about student loans and work study, contact the Office of Financial Aid.