Literature + Language

How to apply for admission to the Ph.D. with a Concentration in Literature + Language program

An undergraduate major in English or its equivalent is required. (In exceptional cases, superior students who have not majored in English may be admitted conditionally.) An applicant ordinarily should have at least an overall GPA of 3.2, a GPA in English of 3.7. For admission to the Ph.D. program with an M.A. from a department other than our own, the undergraduate GPA requirement remains the same. Add to this a 3.9 GPA in graduate courses (out of a possible 4.0).

More significant than scores and grades, however, are an applicant’s personal statement, letters of recommendation, proficiency in foreign languages, and especially, a writing sample. These materials may offset lower grade point averages.

Application deadline: January 2

International students application deadline: December 1

Use the University Graduate School’s online application system to apply

View application details

Designating your degree choice

Applicants to the doctoral program who have not completed an M.A. in English should indicate the M.A. program as their degree choice on the electronic application. Students admitted at this level will be advanced to the doctoral program upon completion of 30-32 hours of relevant graduate work (with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher), and demonstrated proficiency in one language. Applicants who have completed an M.A. in English should indicate the Ph.D. program on the electronic application.

While generally the English department does not offer a terminal M.A., it does offer a dual M.A. with ILS (Information and Library Science), and a 4 + 1 B.A./M.A for IU undergraduate majors. Additionally, in rare circumstances, application for the M.A. may be approved by the director of graduate studies. Applicants to these programs should indicate their choice in their personal statement.

Application information

Applicants to the doctoral program are required to submit all primary application materials online. These include:

IU Graduate School Application. Please use the Graduate School’s application portal which is partnered with Liaison International. Information about the application and the IU Graduate CAS may be found here. Our program accepts applications for Fall admission only, so please choose the next available Fall semester for your application.
Personal / professional statement of no more than 1,000 words of the applicant’s academic goals and areas of specific interest (please make sure to note field specialty--e.g. medieval, 18th century, literary theory, comparative ethnic studies)
three letters of recommendation
15-20 pp writing sample
the application fee

Hard copies of secondary application materials, including:

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate study to date. Only copies that are submitted directly from the institution (by mail or secure e-transcript) OR submitted in hard copy in sealed institutional envelopes within a packet from the applicant are considered official.

Should be emailed by secure service directly from the institution to Bev Hankins (bhankins@indiana.edu) OR mailed directly to the department, to the attention of:

Bev Hankins
IU English Department
1020 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Ballantine Hall 440
Bloomington, IN 47405-7103

International students, please note: International applicants must also meet International Admissions requirements. For those whose native language is not English, TOEFL exam scores are required. Please also note that there is a university deadline of December 1 for International applications.

Any questions about the departmental application process may be directed to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Bev Hankins (bhankins@indiana.edu). Questions about the graduate application itself should be directed to the Help Center at Liaison.

Liaison Contact Information:

Phone # (617) 729-2866

graduate.indiana@liaisoncas.com

Live Chat reps are available via the Help Center

Application deadlines

The general deadline is January 2 (or the first business day after the holiday). Admission is for the Fall semester only (the English program does not accept off-calendar applications). The university deadline for international admissions is December 1. International Applicants should consult the webpage for the Office of International Services for further requirements (see above).

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and relevant test scores, are received by the deadline. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, materials will be accepted on the first working day following the deadline. To avoid distress, applicants are encouraged to request all supporting materials far in advance.

Department of English

Literature + Language

How to apply for admission to the Ph.D. with a Concentration in Literature + Language program

Use the University Graduate School’s online application system to apply

Designating your degree choice

Application information

Application deadlines

The College of Arts & Sciences

Literature + Language

How to apply for admission to the Ph.D. with a Concentration in Literature + Language program

Use the University Graduate School’s online application system to apply

Designating your degree choice

Application information

Application deadlines

Department of English social media channels

The College of Arts & Sciences