MA Admissions

Applications are accepted online only. 

To apply, go to: 

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Fall admission application deadline is  April 1st (domestic) or March 1st (international).
  • Spring admission application deadline is December 1st (domestic) or October 1st (international).

Requirements for Admission to Classified Standing

To be admitted to Classified Standing in the M.A. program, you must have completed a minimum of 24 semester units of undergraduate
English-major course work with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
You must also submit the following via the Cal State Apply portal:

  1. A writing sample. We recommend sending a paper you have written for
    a class that shows your mastery of written English, your ability to
    analyze literature, and, ideally, your research skills in support of
    that analysis. Most submissions range between 6 and 25 pages in
    length.
  2. Two letters of reference.
  3. A statement of purpose explaining your preparation for and interest
    in pursuing an MA in English.

Foreign students must have a TOEFL score of at least 610 (253 on Computer-based test and 102 on internet-based test)

If you have completed fewer units, you may be admitted to Conditional Standing (see below), but you will need to complete the required number of units and achieve the required grade point average before you can take graduate-level classes or begin work toward the 30-unit M.A. program. When you are ready to be advanced to Classified Standing you must meet with the M.A. Advisor to have the change made official.

Requirements for Admission to Conditionally Classified Standing

Students who do not qualify for Classified standing but who meet University requirements for graduate admission and whose past performance gives promise of satisfactory completion of requirements for admission to Classified standing may, with the approval of the departmental graduate committee, be admitted as Conditionally Classified in the M.A. English program.

Requirements for Admission to Candidacy for the M.A. in English

Admission to candidacy for the Master's degree in English requires favorable action by the departmental graduate committee and by the University Graduate Committee. Applicants will observe the stipulations relative to such items as transfer credit, time limit, completion of the Graduate English Writing Requirement and scholarship stated in the San Jose State University Catalog. They should particularly note that fitness for advanced study and professional training, not merely high grades or the satisfaction of formal requirements, is the prime requisite for graduate work.

Contact

Allison Johnson, Graduate Coordinator & MA Advisor
Faculty Offices 105
allison.johnson@sjsu.edu