FAQs - Prospective Graduate Students in Online Programs

Information about the Department of English graduate programs can be obtained online  or you can e-mail enggrad@asu.edu (or call 480-965-7454). In peak times, response to emails and calls may take up to 48 hours to return Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. Please look through the FAQs to see if your question can be answered in the meantime.

1. WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES FOR ADMISSION TO ONLINE PROGRAMS?

See the Application Deadlines tab for dates to apply to MA English (English Studies) OnlineMTESOL Online and MAS in Film and Media Studies.

Note for online 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.

2. HOW DO I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?

The graduate application can be found here: https://webapp4.asu.edu/dgsadmissions/Index.jsp  

Review the program webpage on the English site for required supplemental documents. Complete the application on the website and upload documents. Submit all required transcripts and test scores to Graduate Admission Services once you have submitted the application and paid the application fee. Addresses for mailing documents can be found here: https://english.clas.asu.edu/admission/graduate-admission/how-to-apply  

3. WHAT IS THE APPLICATION FEE?

$70 for domestic applicants and $90 for international applicants. The fee is non-refundable.

4. WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS?

Each program has their own set of application requirements. Please check your program’s webpage for detailed information:

MAS in Film and Media Studies
MA English (English Studies)
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL) Online

5. DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE GRE?

No, the online programs do not require the GRE.

6. DOES YOUR PROGRAM REQUIRE A MINIMUM GPA FOR ADMISSION?

Applicants need a grade point average of "B" (3.0) or higher in the final two years of work leading to the bachelor's degree. For help in calculating your GPA, please refer to the GPA calculator: https://students.asu.edu/gpa-calculator

7. WHAT ARE THE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS?

International students who are from countries whose native language is not English (regardless of where they may now reside) must meet English proficiency requirements for the Graduate College as outlined in the ASU academic catalog.

International students applying to graduate programs in the Department of English at ASU must submit evidence of English proficiency.  This can be done in one of three ways outlined on this webpage

8. WHAT TYPE OF TRANSCRIPTS DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT? HOW DO I SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS?

Have your official transcripts mailed to either:

Regular Mail

FedEx, DHL, UPS

Admission Services Applicant Processing
Arizona State University
PO Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004

Arizona State University
Admission Services Applicant Processing
1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226
Tempe, AZ 85281

Graduate Admissions only accepts the following electronic transcript services: E-Scrip, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse. Transcripts must be sent directly to gradtranscripts@asu.edu from those transcript services or from the institutions that use those services. We do not take forwarded or emailed transcripts.

ASU accepts unofficial transcripts as part of the application. This is the only way we will accept unofficial transcripts. Emailed transcripts are not acceptable. If you are admitted to the university, you will be required to send official transcripts to the university.

All international transcripts must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university, government official or official translation service. You may not complete your own translation.

Any questions about your transcripts, please contact Graduate Admissions: 480-965-6113 or gograd@asu.edu or check their FAQs.

9. SHOULD I CONTACT FACULTY BEFORE APPLYING?

Absolutely! Contacting faculty is a terrific way to learn about the program. Programs directors are listed here: https://english.clas.asu.edu/student-life/graduate-experience/graduate-advising

10. WHO SHOULD I ASK FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTERS?

Letters of recommendation should ideally be from instructors or professors who can provide a clear picture of the applicant’s potential for successfully completing a graduate program. In some cases, applicants submit professional recommendations from employers who can speak to their potential academic abilities. Applicants should not submit personal references.

See guidelines for requesting letters of recommendation for more information.

11. HOW DO I SUBMIT RECOMMENDATION LETTERS?

You will include your recommenders name and email in the application. Once you submit the application and pay the app fee, your recommenders will receive an automated response from ASU prompting them to upload their letter directly to your application. This could take up to 72 hours to receive after you submit the application and pay the app fee.

Please note, the MAS program does not require letters, but it is highly encouraged.

12. HOW CAN I TELL IF MY APPLICATION IS COMPLETE? HOW DO I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY APPLICATION?

Within a few days you will receive an email with instructions on how to log into your MyASU account. MyASU is where you can monitor the status of your application, view any missing items and receive the final outcome of your application.

13. I HAVE REQUESTED TRANSCRIPTS, SO WHY ARE THEY STILL LISTED ON MY PRIORITY TASKS?

It can take up to 10 days for the Admissions office to match your documents to your application. Once they have arrived, they are processed in the order they are received. During peak application deadlines, it may take longer. Applicants can contact Graduate Admissions with questions: 480-965-6113 or gograd@asu.edu.

14. WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FINAL DECISION ON MY APPLICATION?

Check your MyASU regularly for updates to your application. Pending Priority Tasks will delay the processing of your application. You should expect to receive a decision on your application within a month of the application deadline, though this date may fluctuate based on the number of applications received. If you have concerns about your application, please contact the graduate program manager Sheila Luna or the graduate program specialist Kira Assad.

15. I NOTICED THERE IS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR MY PROGRAM, SHOULD THIS BE COMPLETED BEFORE I APPLY?

No. You will complete this requirement during the program. MA English Online and MTESOL Online have a language requirement, which requires the student to possess an intermediate level reading knowledge of a language other than English. Students will either take a translation test or a reading knowledge course. There is a $100 fee to take the translation test.

MAS does not have a foreign language requirement.

16. IF I AM ADMITTED, CAN I COUNT COURSEWORK TAKEN PRIOR TO ADMISSION?

Yes, with the approval of the advisor, 12 preadmission credits can be used on a graduate plan of study. The courses must be graduate level with a grade of B or better and must not be over three years old. The courses must not have been used on another degree. In order to apply these to the plan of study, ASU must have official transcripts from the accredited transfer institution. The student must have the advisor’s approval for any elective or transfer courses.

17. HOW CAN I WITHDRAW AFTER BEING ADMITTED?

If a student wishes to withdraw from his/her graduate degree program and the university, they must complete the Voluntary Withdrawal form. International students should contact the International Students and Scholars Center before submitting a Voluntary Withdrawal form, as it most likely will affect their visa status.

18. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE DEGREE?

An ambitious and hardworking student may be able to complete the degree in one academic year for MA English Online and MTESOL Online. Although, it does depend on several factors: A student would need to take 2 courses per 7.5 week session, which is a heavy workload, but not impossible if you have enough time every week to devote to studying. Also, some students have preadmission credits.

For MAS, it is recommended that students limit their classes to two or three courses in each fall and spring semester. The program may be completed in two years.

19. CAN GRADUATES OF THE MA ENGLISH ONLINE PROGRAM TEACH AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

Yes, students with a MA in English can teach at the community college level. 

20. CAN GRADUATES OF ONLINE PROGRAMS GO ON FOR A PHD?

Yes, students can apply for PhD programs.

21. CAN I TAKE ICOURSES AS AN ASU ONLINE STUDENT?

No, ASU Online students can only take ASU Online classes. iCourses are courses offered to in-person ASU students only.

22. CAN I BE ADMITTED TO AN IN-PERSON GRADUATE CERTIFICATE WHILE WORKING ON MY ONLINE DEGREE?

No, because they are offered on different campuses (Tempe and Online).

23. I SEE THAT MY APPLICATION IS “IN REVIEW” ON MY MYASU. DOES THAT MEAN MY APPLICATION IS BEING REVIEWED?

It depends on when you applied. All applications are reviewed after the stated deadlines. We do not review applications as they come in. Most likely your application is complete, but be sure to check the “Manage Recommenders” link on your MYASU.