Application Procedures

How to Apply

Master's students must apply for admission to the School of Graduate Studies. There is a $55 fee required with the application. The application deadline is January 15th.

The following are the steps in the application process (Instructions for steps 1-4 can be found on the School of Graduate Studies' Apply page).

1. Fill out the online application.
2. Pay the application fee.
3. Provide a copy of your transcript(s).
4. Provide 3 letters of recommendation from people who can address your readiness for graduate studies.

All supplemental items (steps 5-7 below) will be submitted online through the Graduate School's application system. Once you have created an account, filled out the online application, and paid the application fee, the Graduate School will email you with instructions for uploading the supplementary items (writing samples, statement of purpose, and curriculum vitae).

5. Send a statement of purpose (1-2 pages single spaced):

   This statement should briefly describe their previous academic/creative work, identifying central themes, areas of interest, and skills acquired. Applicants should explain how these prior artistic/academic experiences have prepared and/or motivated them to enter a graduate program specializing in creative writing. The statement of purpose may also address any relevant professional experiences and explain how such experiences have prepared and/or motivated them to enter this graduate program. Within this statement, applicants should identify some of the specific topics or genres they would like to focus on for their graduate work. Applicants should also make an effort to show that they are familiar with the specific requirements and features of the Graduate Specialization in Creative Writing at USU.

   All applicants will be considered for a Graduate Instructorship (GI-ship). To be most competitive for this opportunity, please include a paragraph that describes your interest in teaching as well as past experiences that might enhance your effectiveness in the classroom. All MA/MS applicants are considered for a Graduate Instructorship, which comes with a tuition waiver, benefits, and a salary of $15,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year, in exchange for teaching 1-2 sections of Introduction to Writing (ENGL 1010) or Intermediate Writing (ENGL 2010) and performing other teaching-related responsibilities. USU provides excellent teacher training to students awarded Graduate Instructorships.

6. Writing Sample: Your 10-page writing sample should exhibit your best writing in the genre you intend to develop in graduate school.

7. Upload a current CV (curriculum vitae). This CV should include your academic and professional writing experience.

International Students

International students must complete additional requirements found on the the "International Student Requirements" tab on the School of Graduate Studies' Apply page.