Graduate Admissions

Application Process

The application deadline is January 6th.

Applying for admission is a two step process:

Step 1

Apply to the Graduate School. You'll need to:

  1. Fill out the Graduate School Degree application.
  2. Enter your Statement of Purpose directly to the application.
  3. Ensure that official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate studies are delivered to the Graduate School.
  4. Pay the application fee. You can pay the fee online with a credit card.

Visit http://www.graduateschool.uwm.edu/students/prospective/apply/ to start the application to the Graduate School. Completing your Graduate School application online is highly recommended. Once your Graduate School application is complete, it is sent to the Department of English for further review.

Step 2

Apply to a program of study in the Department of English.

(clicking on a link will open a new window.)

Application Instructions

Print out these directions (application instructions.pdf) and keep them with you during the application process; it will help you navigate the steps much more easily.

Applying online to UWM's English Program via Interfolio consists of two parts: first, you create a dossier of materials (for free) at Interfolio; second, you visit a short series of UWM-specific web pages (also hosted by Interfolio), where you'll provide some additional information and documents. Read through the steps below before you start so you can be sure to have everything you need at hand.

Part A: Create Your Interfolio Dossier

  1. Click "Apply" (the orange button at upper right) to sign up for an Interfolio account. The account will be created at no charge to you. Here you'll answer a series of basic questions such as your contact information. Click "Register" when you're done.
  2. You should be moved automatically to the Documents tab. (If not, click on the "Documents" tab, then "Manage Documents".) Click the plus sign, "Add Document" and then add the following items:
For this required UWM Application document… …select this “Document type” from the dropdown menu
Confidential letters of recommendation (3 separate letters required; for those applying for teaching positions, we recommend at least one of your letters speaks to your experience or potential as a teacher) "Confidential Letter of Recommendation"
Academic writing sample (10-20 pages) "Writing Sample"
Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) "Personal Statement"
If you are applying for a teaching assistantship, you must provide two additional documents:
A second academic writing sample (10-20 pages) "Writing Sample"
Statement of Teaching Philosophy (1-2 pages) "Teaching Statement"
Applicants to the Creative Writing program (Plan C) must also provide a creative writing sample:
Creative writing sample (30 pgs of fiction or non-fiction or 10 pgs of poetry) "Writing Sample"

Once you have uploaded all the necessary documents, you're ready to move on to Part B.

Part B: Complete your application

  1. Click the teal "Start Delivery" button on the "Manage Documents" page, or click on the brown "Deliveries" tab at the top, and then "Add delivery." Start typing, "University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Graduate School: English" (don't select "AMCAS") and make sure the description in the "Position" column lists the correct plan (A, B, C, G, or H) for which you are applying.
  2. Read the instructions on the first page, then click "Save and…Add Documents".
  3. On the "Documents Required By This Application" page, you'll be able to select the appropriate documents that you added in Part A, including your three Confidential Letters of Recommendation, your Writing Sample, and your Personal Statement. If you're applying for a Teaching Assistantship, make sure you use the "Additional Documents" area to add your second writing sample and your statement of Teaching Philosophy. (Ignore the warning, "You may add any other documents desired to this application, they may or may not be accepted and considered as part of your application": documents provided here will be accepted and considered as part of your application.) When you are finished adding your documents from your dossier click "Save and…customize delivery" at the bottom of the page.
  4. "Customize your delivery": this step is easy; ignore the "add ID numbers" button and click on "Save and…fill out application" button.
  5. On the Application page, review your personal contact information and click "Save Personal Information."
    1. Next, provide any secondary contact information and click "Save Answers".
    2. Next, click which degree you are seeking, the desire semester and year of entry, unofficial GRE information, and all forms of financial aid for which you are applying. Click Save Answers and then click Choose Shipping Method at the bottom of the page.
  6. Check the box next to UWM and click Check Out.
Congratulations, you're done! You should receive confirmation e-mail shortly. Questions or problems? Please contact Tasha Oren, Associate Chair of Graduate Studies: tgoren@uwm.edu

Other Financial Assistance

UWM offers other forms of financial assistance. Click on the links below for information and application instructions for:

  • Advanced Opportunity (AOP) Fellowship
    The Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) is funded by the State of Wisconsin. AOP Fellowships are designed to assist members of groups under-represented in graduate study, and other disadvantaged students, to enter and complete a graduate degree at UWM.  Please note: the AOP application requires a separate letter of recommendation that addresses your application and qualification for this funding.
     
  • Non-Resident Tuition Remission (NRTR)
    A NRTR waiver grants out-of-state students the ability to pay in-state tuition rates. To find out more about this program, its restrictions, and how to apply, contact the English Department’s Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, Prof. Tasha Oren <tgoren@uwm.edu>.
     
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching Assistantship

International Applicants Only:

Application Process:

Applying for admission is a two step process:

Step 1

Contact the Center for International Education (CIE).

  1. Visit http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/CIE to begin your application. Follow the link to International Admissions.

Step 2

Apply to the Department of English.

  1. Use the Instructions and Form for International Applicants (Word 233k, PDF 206k)to complete the International student application.
  2. Ensure that you carefully follow the instructions on the above form for submitting materials to the Department of English.
  3. You can apply for a Teaching Assistantship on the Department of English admissions application (included on the Instructions for International Applicants Form above).

Application Deadlines:

Applications must be completed by January 6 to be considered for admission in the following fall semester. All plans accept applications for fall entry. Plan G (Professional Writing) has a second deadline on April 1 for MA applicants who are not seeking teaching assistantships or fellowships. See the Department of English application form for more information.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Application Tips:

  • Complete and deliver your Graduate School and Department of English applications by the deadlines posted above. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all materials are received by the deadline and that all materials are sent to the proper recipients. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
  • Complete your Graduate School application entirely online. It will save you time and it will facilitate processing.
  • Follow up on your Graduate School online application to ensure that it is complete and has been received by the Department of English.
  • Follow up with the Department of English to ensure that writing samples, letters of recommendation and Department application have been received.
  • If you are an International student, follow up with CIE and the Department of English to ensure that all materials submitted have been received.
  • Do not send materials requested by the Graduate School or CIE to the Department of English. Do not send materials requested by the Department of English to the Graduate School or to CIE.