Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply and submit my application materials? 
The main application form is completed online at the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars.  How to Apply - Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars - Purdue University.  

What is the application deadline? 
For Fall registration, applications to all English graduate programs should arrive no later than December 15, 2025.

We have extended this deadline to Friday January 9, 2026. This is an absolute deadline.

How do I submit my transcripts?
While the Graduate School will accept unofficial transcripts as part of the application process, please be aware that official transcripts will be required if you are admitted to our graduate program. 

Can I apply directly to your PhD program? 
All applicants must have an M.A. before they can begin our PhD program. The M.A. need not necessarily be in English.

What is the codes for TOEFL? 
Institution code is 1631.
TOEFL Departmental code is 14.
Test scores (TOEFL and IELTS) must be sent to Purdue directly from the testing center.

What tests do international students need to take? 
International students must submit an official TOEFL iBT score (sent directly from the testing center). The minimum internet based scores required for admission are the following:

Writing: 22
Speaking: 22*
Listening: 22
Reading: 22
Total score: 100

*Only those with a speaking score of 27 or more can be considered for a teaching assistantship. Unqualified students who gain admission can qualify themselves through the Purdue OEPP test (OEPT), and if necessary by enrolling in ENGL 620 (Classroom Communication in ESL for International Teaching Assistants).

The English Department also accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. An overall band score of 7.0 is required for admission. Minimum scores of 7.0 are required for each section of Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. A score of 8 in the speaking section is required if you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship in the English Department.

The TOEFL score will not be required for admission since you will be receiving a degree in the U.S. However, if you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship a minimum speaking score of 27 is required on the TOEFL iBT. We generally do not admit students without funding.

Does the English Graduate Program require the GRE Test? 
The GRE is not required.

Personal Statement?
The OGSPS advises applicants to keep personal statements in the 300 to 500-word range. The English Department will accept longer statements, although we generally advise applicants to limit themselves to no more than 1500 words since the admissions committee will be reading many, many files, and it is unlikely that a statement longer than 1500 words will receive anyone's full attention. Also, please keep in mind that the goal of the personal statement should be to give us a clear, specific idea of what areas or topics you plan to study and why you think our English Department would be a good place for you to pursue your interests. While we always appreciate information that is relevant to a student's academic history, it is not necessary to include inspirational anecdotes or autobiographical vignettes in order to demonstrate your passion or dedication for pursuing graduate work in a particular field. We assume that anyone who is willing to spend the time and money to apply to graduate school is sufficiently passionate and dedicated to deserve our consideration.

How many pages should my writing sample be? 
Please send an approximately 15-page sample of critical writing from an English courses you've taken.  The sample should showcase your best, most polished writing--even if it doesn't happen to correspond with one of the fields or areas you plan to pursue at the graduate level.

What are my chances of getting a teaching assistantship? 
Your application for admission is also your application for teaching assistantship. If admitted you will automatically be considered for a teaching assistantship. Purdue's nationally acclaimed mentor program for teaching assistants offers graduate students the opportunity to develop pedagogy for college-level teaching and to fund their studies at the same time. Availability of TAships vary from year to year, but currently most students at the doctoral and masters levels receive them. The TA stipend is currently $28,520 per year and comes with a waiver of tuition and health insurance fees. The deadline for consideration for a TA is December 15th.

What other forms of financial support are available? 
The Department and the OGSPS offer a variety of awards on a competitive basis for both travel and research. Please see the OGSPS site for a full list and descriptions of these. Individual departmental programs such as Professional Writing and Rhetoric and Composition, along with the journals Arthuriana and Modern Fiction Studies, provide select students with non-teaching assistantships.

What constitutes a full-time load of coursework in English Graduate Studies? 
The Department regards 6 hours (usually 2 courses) as full-time study, but student aid organizations usually require 9 hours (usually 3 courses) to meet their definition of "full time." New TAs usually take 6 hours (2 courses) their first semester and 9 hours (3 courses) each semester following.

Does the department have information on Graduate Student Placement?
Yes, you can find that information for Literature, Theory, Cultural Studies (LTC) and Rhetoric and Composition (RC).

Other questions? 
Please contact any of the following: 
The Director of Graduate Studies (jduvall@purdue.edu)