Acceptance in the Program

Applicants to the M.A. Program submit an application form, personal statement, two letters of recommendation, transcripts of academic work, and a writing sample (7-20 pages of text and possible additional pages for images/bibliography). A faculty committee evaluates the file, giving priority to the candidate’s overall academic background in the humanities, foreign language competency, letters of recommendation, motivation and interest.

The Department seeks to support graduate students financially as fully as possible through appointments as teaching assistantships, grants and fellowship awards, including a Graduate Diversity Fellowship. Teaching positions are distributed by Department faculty and provide students with a stipend and full tuition credit. Smaller grants are awarded to help defray the cost of tuition for students who are not teaching assistants. All those admitted to the Program are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine eligibility for financial aid, including work-study. Loans are managed by the University Financial Aid office, which provides info and the possibility to schedule a consultation appointment online at https://www.umass.edu/financialaid/financial-aid-services/connect-us.