English

Supported Degree Objectives


  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Rhetoric and Composition (currently accepting applications for 2024-2025)
    • Literature Theory Culture (will again accept applications for 2025-2026 in fall 2024)
  • Masters (MA)
    • Literature Theory Culture (will accept applications for 2025-2026 in fall 2024)
  • Non Degree

Required Supporting Documents


  • Transcripts
  • Recommendation Letters
    • Graduate Certificate: 2
    • Graduate Certificate in Medical and Healthcare Writing: 1
    • Master's and PhD: 3
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Writing Sample
    • 10-15 page critical essay written for a course in English or one of the other humanities
  • Samples of Recent Work (Creative Writing only)
    • Poetry: 8-10 poems
    • Fiction: 2 to 3 short stories (or a novel excerpt)
    • Poetry and Fiction: Please include a brief response to these questions:
      • Whose work do you admire?
      • What collections of poetry and/or works of fiction read in the last year have been important to you and why?
  • Resume

English Proficiency Requirements


  • The following English proficiency minimum scores are required by this program for the tests listed below. To view additional English proficiency options accepted by this program and the Graduate School, visit the English Proficiency Requirements page.

TOEFL: Internet-Based Test (IBT): Minimum Overall Required Score: 100
Minimum section requirements:

  • Reading: 22
  • Listening: 22
  • Speaking: 22 (27 to be considered for TA)
  • Writing: 22

TOEFL: Essentials: Minimum Overall Required Score: 10.5
Minimum section requirements:

  • Reading: 9
  • Listening: 9
  • Speaking: 9
  • Writing: 9

IELTS (Academic Module): Minimum Overall Required Score: 7
Minimum section requirements:

  • Reading: 7
  • Listening: 7
  • Speaking: 7.0 (8.0 to be considered for TA)
  • Writing: 7

Doctoral Degree Program Requirements


  • Master's Degree

Application Deadlines


  • Fall Spring Summer
    January 15 No Entry No Entry US Citizen
    January 15 No Entry No Entry International
  • Medical and Healthcare Writing Certificate
  • Fall Spring Summer
    July 15 December 1 March 15

Program Contact Information


  • Name Julie Henderson
    Phone 765-494-3746
    Email jhenders@purdue.edu
    Web Program Website
    Address Graduate Studies Office
    Department of English
    Purdue University
    500 Oval Drive
    West Lafayette, IN 47907-1356
    USA

Additional Information


  • Current master’s students wishing to move to a doctoral degree program in this same graduate program will be required to submit a new application.
Purdue West Lafayette campus