Application Procedures and Checklists

Click on the links below for application procedures and checklists specific to your chosen program. Candidates who apply for funding may be considered for teaching assistantships and non-teaching graduate assistantships. Evidence of previous teaching experience will be taken into account. Candidates who submit incomplete files will not be considered for assistantships.

Admission Requirements

Contact Information

Department of English
(906) 227-2711  
MFA Program Director: Patricia Killelea
MA Program Director: Caroline Krzakowski

Office of Graduate Education & Research
(906) 227-2300
www.nmu.edu/graduate

MA Program

For full consideration, MA applicants should apply by February 1 for Fall semester admission (and teaching assistantship consideration) and by September 1 for Winter semester admission. Apply for free with code EMA2022!

MFA Program

All MFA applicants should submit their application materials no later than February 1. The review of applications will begin on February 15.

For full consideration, applicants should apply by February 1 for Fall semester admission (and teaching assistantship consideration) and by September 1 for Winter semester admission.

1. Application for Graduate Admission (submit online)

Upload the following documents to your online application (with your name on each):

  • MA/MFA English Graduate Program Application Form (download, fill out, save, and attach to application)
  • Statement of purpose that addresses your interest in the program, academic experience and goals, and (if applying for a teaching assistantship) preparedness for teaching
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Critical essay (10-20 pages) that focuses on an English studies (or related) topic. Two essays may be submitted to meet length requirement. 

2. Three letters of recommendation 

  • Should address your academic ability and (if applying for a teaching assistantship) your potential as a teacher
  • Submit contact information for your recommenders through the application system. Recommenders will be sent an email asking them to upload their letters. 

3. Non-refundable $50 application fee (may be paid online, by mail, or by telephone)

Enter the code EMA2022 to waive this fee.

4. Official transcripts from all schools attended (other than Northern Michigan University) 

5. For international students:

If you have any questions, please contact:

MA Program Director: Caroline Krzakowski, 906-227-1633 

Department of English

Office of Graduate Education & Research

  • MA/MFA English Graduate Program Application Form (writeable PDF)
  • Statement of professional purpose addressing your interest in becoming a TA, your success in the MA program to date, your preparedness for the role, and any relevant experience
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • A 10-20 page critical essay (can be made up of 2 essays)
  • A minimum of three letters of recommendation addressing your academic ability and potential as a teacher (emailed to english@nmu.edu or snail mailed to English Department, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855, directly from recommender. If snail mailed by student, letter should be in a sealed envelope with recommender's signature over flap.) 

Send application materials to: English Department, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.

If you have any further questions, please contact:

Department of English | (906) 227-2711  
MA Program Director: Caroline Krzakowski, ckrzakow@nmu.edu

Applying to Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (all materials must be received by February 1st for full consideration):

  1. Application for Graduate Admission (Submit online.)
    ​Upload the following documents into this application (each document should have your name on it):
    • MFA/MA English Graduate Program Application Form (writeable PDF - download and save to your computer and then fill it out, save, and attach to application)
    • Statement of professional purpose addressing your interest in the program, your ability to succeed in graduate school, and (if relevant) your teaching experience
    • Résumé or curriculum vitae
    • Writing Sample: If you'd like to submit in poetry, submit 10 pages.  For creative nonfiction and fiction, submit 20-30 pages.  If you would like to submit a mixed genre/hybrid application, submit 20-30 pages. Mixed/hybrid applications may contain any combination of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or experimental/hybrid pieces. Please label as "writing sample."
    • Critical Essay: A 10-20 page critical essay (can be made up of 2 essays) - please label as "critical essay." Pick an essay that shows off your ability to think critically and integrate scholarly research.  An essay from a previous literature course often works well. 
  2. A minimum of three letters of recommendation addressing your promise as a writer and your ability or potential as a teacher (submitted through application system). 
  3. Non-refundable $50 application fee (May be paid via online, mail, or telephone)
  4. Official transcripts from all schools attended, other than Northern Michigan University 
    ****(Independent evaluation of transcripts required for international students.)
  5. Declaration and certification of finances (international students)
  6. TOEFL score (international students)

If you have any further questions about program admission requirements, please contact:

Department of English (906) 227-2711  
MFA Program Director:  Patricia Killelea, pkillele@nmu.edu

For questions about the online application, please contact:
Office of Graduate Education & Research
graduate@nmu.edu
(906) 227-2300
www.nmu.edu/graduate