School of Arts and Sciences
Department of English

Graduate Admissions and Aid

The Department of English celebrates diversity in all its forms within our graduate student population and welcomes applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds. We are committed to fostering equity, justice, and inclusion within our department and in the field of literary and cultural studies.

Please note that a Writing Sample is required by the English Department, in addition to other materials specified by the Graduate School application. GRE scores are no longer required for application to the PhD program in English.

Your complete application to all graduate and certificate programs must include:

  1. Application for Admission
  2. College Transcripts
  3. Letters of Recommendation (3)
  4. Resume
  5. Personal Statement
  6. Writing Sample (English Dept requirement)

Please refer to the Graduate Admissions website for application deadlines. 

Office of Graduate Admissions

Bendetson Hall
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155
617-627-3395
Office of Graduate Admissions Website Email Admissions

Graduate Program Frequently Asked Questions

  • Currently there is no MFA program in creative writing. Our program has a focus on the study and teaching of English literature, American literature, and Anglophone World literatures.

  • While it is possible for those who enter with a BA and successfully complete their first year in the program to receive an MA, students entering the program expect to complete PhD work. There is no stand-alone master's program.

  • We encourage creativity in terms of scholarly work and analysis, but the program does not support creative writing as a dissertation per se.

  • Graduate students who enter the program with a BA and progress normally are guaranteed 5 years of full funding (tuition and stipend), while students entering with an MA receive one year's course credit and 4 years of full funding. Students are eligible to apply for additional funding support thereafter.

  • We do host visiting days, once you have been accepted into the program or been put on the waiting list, in which you may attend classes and meet current students. Because of the large number of applicants, we cannot accommodate prospective students in every graduate class.

  • We do not have rolling admissions. Applications are considered only for fall matriculation.

  • All application materials should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Through Graduate Admissions, students can verify receipt of admissions materials, as well as get answers to questions related to the admissions process. They can be reached at 617-627-3395 or gradadmissions@tufts.edu. 

  • All application materials are given equal weight. All submitted (and missing) materials are taken into consideration when a decision is made.

  • No, the GRE is no longer required as admission materials for the English PhD program.

  • There is no set length. Most submissions are between 10-20 pages in length.

  • The number of applicants varies from year to year. Many factors are considered when putting together each year’s entering class. Currently, we aim for an entering class of about 6 students per year.

  • Yes. Applicants with MAs are considered alongside applicants with BAs.

  • You are welcome to contact the Director of Graduate Studies directly, but because of the large number of applicants, we encourage prospective students to make contact with the director or other faculty members after being admitted to the program.

  • Most applicants will be informed of their admissions status sometime in February.

  • Please contact us at gradenglish@tufts.edu.