The Department of English at Western Michigan University encourages interested individuals to explore our fields of study to find what best fits your academic and professional goals. Begin the application process by selecting the option below that's right for you.
Undergraduate application
Graduate Application
WMU has an online graduate application system that allows all students (domestic and international) to submit required information into one system. General application information for the University, as well as specific requirements for individual programs, are captured into this system.
Applicants are asked to include some program-specific information, with a summary for these requirements found below:
Master's program requirements
Doctoral program requirements
Applicants are encouraged to bookmark this information for quick reference while working through the graduate application process.
Deadlines
We begin accepting applications annually on November 1 with applications due by January 10. Applicants are typically informed about admission by late February or early March.
International applicants
International students should contact International Admissions and Services.
Master's program prerequisites
As an applicant to the master’s degree program, you must present a 34-hour undergraduate major with a GPA of at least 3.0. At least 20 hours of your undergraduate major must be in literature, including 15 hours of literature coursework at the junior or senior level. If you have taken substantial English coursework but cannot meet the 20-hour literature course requirement, you may still apply for admission, but you may have to remedy any deficiencies through undergraduate or graduate level coursework.
Doctoral program prerequisites
As an applicant to the doctoral degree program, you must have an M.A. in English, an M.A. in English with an emphasis in teaching, or an M.F.A. in Creative Writing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In rare instances, you may be admitted directly from the B.A. to the Ph.D. level, if you also have a great deal of professional or academic experience. If you have a master’s degree in an area other than English, English education or creative writing, you may have to take extra coursework in order to make up deficiencies.