Please note that while we have a rolling application review process all year long, we give priority, in our review process, to applications that are received by April 15 for fall admission, and by November 1 for spring/summer admission.
Graduate with little or no debt
What we look for in applications for the MA in Literature program is a demonstration that an applicant possesses strong critical thinking and writing skills, a strong academic background in literature (or related humanities field), and an ability to manage the demands of a graduate program (as shown by a good academic record, relevant work experience, strong motivation or support, or similar factors).
Master’s study involves a person’s substantial investment, and we want to help you ensure that your money and time are well spent.
The personal statement (500-1,000 words) can discuss your individual qualities in light of the general expectations just mentioned. Can you offer specific information that supports your ability to succeed in an MA Literature program? How does your educational background or work or extracurricular experience translate into the critical reading, writing, and thinking skills you will need? This statement might include discussion of (1) your preparation and motivation for graduate-level study in literature, (2) your immediate hopes or plans for your studies while you are a graduate student, and (3) your long-term objectives for your degree. After you complete it, what will this degree mean to you personally and professionally in five or ten years?
For the writing sample, it is most helpful to have an essay that demonstrates your ability to work in a scholarly, critical, or interpretive manner. Such a paper might demonstrate a strong critical argument about a literary work (or similar text), including adequate textual analysis and interpretation and possibly outside research. Most desirable would be an 8-15-page essay that demonstrates your writing, critical thinking, and research skills in close relationship to literature.
For both personal statement and writing sample, you should copy-edit and proofread so that you submit writing as polished as possible.
Your recommenders can help, too. Letters of support that address your academic training and skills are preferred and are the references most helpful to our purposes. If you do not have any recent academic coursework and cannot get letters of reference that speak to your academic training, you might then seek out recommenders who have been your direct supervisors and who can attest that you are a disciplined, responsible, well-regarded person.
People considering graduate study in our program have sometimes found it helpful to test their preparation or upgrade their application by enrolling at NAU as a non-degree student in order to take one or two graduate literature classes. These courses can count toward a degree if a person is subsequently accepted int the program as a regular degree student. View information under the “Non-degree admission” tab on the NAU graduate admissions page.
Find our more about our faculty.
Master’s study involves a person’s substantial investment, and we want to help you ensure that your money and time are well spent.
The personal statement (500-1,000 words) can discuss your individual qualities in light of the general expectations just mentioned. Can you offer specific information that supports your ability to succeed in an MA Literature program? How does your educational background or work or extracurricular experience translate into the critical reading, writing, and thinking skills you will need? This statement might include discussion of (1) your preparation and motivation for graduate-level study in literature, (2) your immediate hopes or plans for your studies while you are a graduate student, and (3) your long-term objectives for your degree. After you complete it, what will this degree mean to you personally and professionally in five or ten years?
For the writing sample, it is most helpful to have an essay that demonstrates your ability to work in a scholarly, critical, or interpretive manner. Such a paper might demonstrate a strong critical argument about a literary work (or similar text), including adequate textual analysis and interpretation and possibly outside research. Most desirable would be an 8-15-page essay that demonstrates your writing, critical thinking, and research skills in close relationship to literature.
For both personal statement and writing sample, you should copy-edit and proofread so that you submit writing as polished as possible.
Your recommenders can help, too. Letters of support that address your academic training and skills are preferred and are the references most helpful to our purposes. If you do not have any recent academic coursework and cannot get letters of reference that speak to your academic training, you might then seek out recommenders who have been your direct supervisors and who can attest that you are a disciplined, responsible, well-regarded person.
People considering graduate study in our program have sometimes found it helpful to test their preparation or upgrade their application by enrolling at NAU as a non-degree student in order to take one or two graduate literature classes. These courses can count toward a degree if a person is subsequently accepted int the program as a regular degree student. View information under the “Non-degree admission” tab on the NAU graduate admissions page.
Find our more about our faculty.