Students should have a minimum 3.0-grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) on all coursework taken beyond high school. Applications are considered holistically, students with a grade point average slightly lower than 3.0 may still be considered if the remainder of the application materials is unusually strong.
Prospective students must submit the following:
An application fee that must be paid electronically when the application is submitted.
An unofficial transcript, with GPA, from each post-secondary school, attended, if a student is admitted, an official transcript will be required.
A statement of purpose outlining the student's preparation and goals for pursuing graduate education in English.
Your statement of purpose is an academic autobiography, rather than a story about who you are as an individual, about 600-1000 words in length. What sparked your interest in English studies? How does your academic and/or professional background prepare you for graduate study in English? Which concentration(s) most interest(s) you, and what do you hope to study in an M.A. program at UNC Charlotte's English Department? How does an M.A. in English ready you for your intended goals after graduation?
An academic autobiography will necessarily be personal as well, but we are primarily looking for intellectual engagement with your intended area of research or creative activity. We want to know that you are enthusiastic about successfully completing challenging coursework, research, and writing. We understand that you may have experienced setbacks along the way: if so, this is the place to address them, briefly. Given that this is our only opportunity to see your writing, please write carefully, revise, and polish your statement.
Three academic recommendations from individuals who can attest to the student's academic qualifications (ideally, college professors, not employers or personal references). If a student has been out of school for a long period of time, references may be professional. These recommendations are requested of the recommenders electronically as part of the application process.
A writing sample of 6-10 pages, which must be an example of analytical, scholarly writing (rather than creative writing) in any area of English studies. You may send an excerpt from a longer work with a short prefatory paragraph offering a description or introduction to the selection. If you have been out of school for an extended period and do not have a scholarly writing sample, please contact Professor Vetter, Director of Graduate Studies, at about an alternative way to meet this requirement.
International applicants (i.e., those whose native language is not English or whose previous degrees are not at an American university) must also demonstrate proficiency in English by having scores sent to the Graduate School from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores older than two years will not be accepted. During the pandemic, scores on the Duolingo English Test may be used instead of the TOEFL or IELTS.

For non-native English language speakers: official and satisfactory scores on the English language proficiency scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are required. A minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required for admissions consideration.