Post-Master’s Certificate in Dual Credit English Teaching

Refer to the Admission section of the bulletin for information about Graduate Studies admission criteria and the online application process.

• Applicants must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may also apply to the program, provided that the student majored in English and has a GPA in the major of 3.25 or higher.
• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree from an accredited institution. Although applicants do not need to hold an undergraduate degree in English, preference will be given to those applicants with an educational background or work experience in English or a related field. The Post-Master’s Certificate in Dual Credit English Teaching includes courses in literature, rhetoric and writing, and creative writing. The graduate faculty in the English department prefers to admit those students who appear to have the best chance of successfully completing the certificate, and we assume the most successful students will be those whose educational backgrounds or work experiences indicate that they possess the abilities to examine, analyze, and write critically about a diverse range of texts in English.
• Applicants must submit a well-written personal statement of approximately 500 words. In the personal statement, applicants should indicate how their education or work experience has prepared them for graduate studies, and they should outline their goals in pursuing a graduate credential in English at USI.
• Applicants must submit a writing sample of approximately 3500 words. Examples of writing samples include literary analyses, rhetorical analyses, grant applications, or any other kind of professional writing.
• The personal statement and writing sample must be submitted to the Director of the Master of Arts in English. The admissions committee will review this material and evaluate the applicant’s potential and ability for graduate-level work.
• Applicants must submit the names of and contact information for three references. The applicant’s references will be contacted by USI for a recommendation.