How to Apply

Graduate students within the 听Department of English work closely on research and writing projects with the members of our graduate faculty, who specialize in all areas of literary, theoretical,听cultural studies and creative writing. MA students complete a broad-based program in literature. PhD students may choose a concentration in any area of English-language literature. The English department encourages and supports cross-disciplinary work for all of our students.

Starting with the fall 2026 admissions cycle, CU 麻豆影院 English is embarking on a new kind of PhD that is collaborative, experimental, and that affords students a chance to work closely with each other and with faculty. We are introducing a 鈥淢edia Ecology鈥 lab and team-taught courses where PhD students work with faculty and one another to map, theorize, and develop dissertation specialties via intensive mentoring, reading, and co-writing and -publishing in the lab. We offer competitive funding packages, along with excellent teaching and networking opportunities. Students will work with established academics and professionals in the fields of their interest. Read more here.

GRE scores are not required for the MA 听and PhD programs. The admissions committee will not have access to any GRE scores that are submitted.

Applications for the fall 2026听term will open in July.听The听online application for admission is available听.

  • Fall 2026听Domestic Application Deadline for the PhD:听December 15, 2025
  • Fall 2026听International Application Deadline for the PhD:听December 1, 2025
  • Fall 2026听Domestic Application Deadline for the MA:听December 15, 2025
  • Fall 2026听International Application Deadline for the MA:听December 1, 2025
  • Fall 2026听Domestic Application Deadline for the MFA:听January 3, 2026
  • Fall 2026听International Application Deadline for the MFA:听December 15, 2025

Applications are due by 9:59pm MST/ 11:59pm EST on the deadline. Please check how these times apply to your specific time-zone.

Prior to beginning the application process, please read the听English Graduate Admissions FAQs听and the听Graduate School听FAQs听carefully along with the instructions on completing and submitting your application.

Please also read all instructions in the online application system prior to submitting your materials. All applicants must听submit their online application and pay the application fee by the deadline. Official TOEFL/IELTS score reports,听additional transcripts, and letters of reference will be accepted for up to two weeks after the published deadline.

Applicants are responsible for monitoring the progress of their application and ensuring that all required materials have been submitted and received by the Graduate School admissions staff.

Domestic applicants who have completed a program of study or a degree at institutions outside the U.S. are advised to apply by the deadline for international applicants to allow sufficient processing time of foreign transcripts.

For technical support and questions about the online application, please contact:

MA in English and听PhD听Applications听Are Required to:

  1. Hold or will be receiving a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognized standing, preferably with an English major.
  2. Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00.
  3. Submit the following:
  • Completed听听and submission of application fee payment.
  • Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and universities attended.
  • Critical Writing Sample. MA-Literature applicants should submit a double-spaced writing sample of 10-15 pages. PhD applicants should submit 20-25 pages. The writing sample should come from one essay and should not consist of work from two or more different听papers.
  • Personal Statement. Two pages,听double-spaced.
  • Three听letters of recommendation. Insert the email addresses of recommenders within the online application where indicated.听If unable to submit letters online, the recommender may send the letters directly to听gradprocessing@colorado.edu.
  • The GRE is not required.

Upload all other documents to the electronic application.听Paper copies will not be accepted. Please do not send materials to the Department of English.