Graduate students in the Department of English frequently present at national, international and local conferences and have received many prestigious awards. Approximately 500 graduate students are enrolled each semester. The program awards excellence by offering outstanding financial packages, including travel funds for professional development and teaching assistantships on a competitive basis. Class sizes are small, giving students the opportunity to work closely with professors in a variety of fields. Reading groups, guest lectures, workshops and other events help bring students and faculty together. Opportunities for professional development and mentoring, such as Preparing Future Faculty and Knowledge Mobilization, prepare graduate students for successful careers within and beyond academia. In addition, there are several internship opportunities for English graduate students as well as study abroad opportunities. Contact us for more information, or send an e-mail to enggrad@asu.edu

ASU's Department of English offers several graduate programs with different degrees and culminating experiences. It is important students understand the degree they are earning and the differences in the type of degrees and culminating experiences offered. Please see Succeeding in Graduate Programs for detailed information on these differences.

Degree Information

Doctoral programs

PhD in English (Literature)

PhD in English (English Education)

PhD in English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies)

PhD in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics

PhD in Applied Linguistics

Online Master's programs

Master of Advanced Study in Film and Media Studies

Master of Arts in English (English Studies)

Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL) Online

Master's programs

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Master of Arts in English (Literature)

Master of Arts in English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies)

Master of Arts in English (Comparative Literature)

Master of Arts in English Education

Master of Arts in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics

Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL)

Accelerated Programs

Accelerated BA English (linguistics) to MTESOL

Accelerated BA English (literature) to MA English (literature track)

Accelerated BA English (linguistics) to MA Linguistics and Applied Linguistics

Accelerated BA English (creative writing) to MA English (creative writing track) *currently not accepting applications*

Accelerated BA English (secondary education) to MA English Education

Accelerated BA English (writing, rhetorics and literacies) to MA English (writing, rhetorics and literacies track)

Certificates

Graduate Certificate in Computer-Assisted Language Learning 

Graduate Certificate in Critical Theory

Graduate Certificate in Digital Humanities (in conjunction with the School of International Letters and Cultures)

Graduate Certificate in Linguistics

Graduate Certificate in Medieval Studies

Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies  (in conjunction with School of International Letters and Cultures)

Graduate Faculty

Application Deadlines

PhD English (Literature), PhD English (English Education), PhD English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies), PhD Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, and MFA Creative Writing: January 1 for fall.

MA English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies): January 1 and April 15 for fall.

MA Linguistics and Applied Linguistics: January 15 and April 15 for fall; September 15 for spring.

MA English Education: January 15 and June 15 for fall.

Note for the above programs: The committee reviews applications shortly after the deadline. The application must be complete with all supporting documents before review. This is the applicant's responsibility. Please plan accordingly when submitting an application.

MTESOL and MA English (Literature): July 22 for fall and December 14 for spring. 

MA English (Comparative Literature): May 1 for fall and December 14 for spring.

MA English (English Studies) Online, MTESOL Online, MAS in Film and Media Studies: 

  • Spring 2024 Admission: December 11, 2023 session A, February 12, 2024 session B (in the application, select "Spring (Jan)"
  • Summer 2024 Admission: April 18, 2024 session A, June 3, 2024 session B (in the application, select "Summer (May)")
  • Fall 2024 Admission: July 25, 2024 session A, September 18, 2024 session B (in the application, select "Fall (Aug)"

Note for the above programs: Complete applications will be reviewed within 14 days of receipt. The application must be complete with all supporting documents before review. This is the applicant's responsibility. Please plan accordingly when submitting an application.

Accelerated (4+1) programs:

  • Accelerated Pre-application form is due by May 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.
  • Graduate Application for the Accelerated Program must be submitted by October 1 for fall and March 1 for spring. 

Note: Accelerated English Education only accepts pre-application and graduate applications for fall.

The deadlines above do not apply to the accelerated Creative Writing program. This accelerated program is currently not accepting applications. More information will be forthcoming. For specific questions, please contact the Program Manager Justin Petropoulos

Graduate certificate applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.