English Department Graduate Program Application Checklist

This is a checklist to help you complete your MA or MFA application to the Office of Graduate Education & Research and the Department of English. Both applications need to be submitted in order to potentially receive funding.  MA applicants not seeking funding only need to complete Step 1.

Candidates who submit incomplete files are not considered for available assistantship and fellowships. Candidates for the Assistantship and Fellowship Program may be considered for teaching fellowships, teaching assistantships, and non-teaching assistantships. Evidence of previous teaching experience will be taken into account when awarding teaching fellowships and teaching assistantships.

Application Deadline

MA applicants are accepted continually throughout the year.  All MFA applicants and MA applicants applying for funding should submit their application materials postmarked no later than February 1. Review of applications will begin on February 15.
 

Step 1. Application to the Office of Graduate Education & Research must include:

o  Application for Graduate Admission (Submit online.)
o  Non-refundable $50 application fee (May be paid via online, mail, or telephone)
o  Official transcripts from all schools attended, other than Northern Michigan
University 
****(Independent evaluation of transcripts required for international students.)

o  Declaration and certification of finances (international students)

o  TOEFL score (international students

Send application materials to:   Office of Graduate Education & Research, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.

Note:  STOP if you are an MA applicant who does NOT need funding -
your application is complete.  If you would like funding
or are applying to the MFA program, continue to Step 2.

Step 2. Application for English Department Graduate Programs must include:

A portfolio with the following materials:

o  MA/MFA English Graduate Program Application Form (writeable PDF)
o  Statement of professional purpose addressing your interest in the program, your ability to
     succeed in graduate school, and (if relevant) your teaching experience
o  Résumé or curriculum vitae
o  A 10-20 page critical essay (can be made up of 2 essays)
o  A minimum of three letters of recommendation addressing your promise as a writer and your ability or potential as a teacher
o  MFA applicants only: Either 10 pages of poetry or 20-30 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction

Send portfolio to:  Department of English, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.

If you have any further questions, please contact:

Department of English (906) 227-2711  
MFA Program Director:  Dr. Paul Lehmberg, plehmber@nmu.edu
MA Program Director:  Dr. Russ Prather, rprather@nmu.edu

Office of Graduate Education & Research (906) 227-2300
www.nmu.edu/graduate