University of Denver

Doctorate in Creative Writing Program Requirements and Deadlines

Program	Degrees Offered	Number of Credits	Full Time/Part Time	Tests Required—Min. Scores
Creative Writing, Literary Studies, or Rhetoric and Theory	PhD	90 Hours	FT	Satisfactory scores on the GRE in both the General and Subject Test TOEFL 570/230/88 (PBT/CBT/IBT)

Additional Requirements:

A master of arts or master of fine arts showing satisfactory preparation, grades and potential for advanced study
An academic essay
Statement of intent
Official transcripts
Applicants for the creative writing program must also submit representative samples of creative work
Three letters of recommendation from college instructors
International applicants must submit TOEFL scores in addition to GRE scores

Areas of Concentration:

Creative Writing
Literary Studies
Rhetoric and Theory

Application Deadlines:

February 1

Prerequisite courses/degrees:

MA or MFA degree

Admission Forms:

Supplement to application for doctoral study
Creative writing program form

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

For complete international applicant information, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies Web site. International applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a complete admission packet at least six weeks prior to the program’s application deadline.

GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE)

Applicants must request that Educational Testing Services forward results to the University of Denver, Office of Graduate Admission. The institution code for the University of Denver is R4842. For information concerning GRE registration, please visit www.gre.org or contact:

Graduate Record Examination
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
609-771-7670

Applicants should take both the General GRE and the Advanced Subject Test well in advance. Please allow at least 14 business days for your general test scores and six weeks for your subject test scores to be received. Several departments and schools will not process applications until scores have been received. Entrance exam scores older than five years from the date of the application may not be acceptable for admission.

APPLICATION FEES

There is a $60 nonrefundable application fee, which covers the cost of processing application materials. The application fee may be paid online with a credit card at the time of application submission. Otherwise, the application fee may be paid on a bank draft or personal check drawn on a U.S. bank and submitted with the supplemental application materials. Applications will not be forwarded to the department for review until this fee is paid. No waivers or deferrals are allowed with the exception of McNair and CORE scholars. A letter of verification needs to be included with the supplemental application materials. 

TRANSCRIPTS

Applicants are required to submit two official transcripts from each post-secondary institution they have attended or are presently attending where 2 quarter hours (or 1 semester hour) or more were completed. This includes transcripts for credit earned as transfer work or study abroad and college credit earned in high school. 

An official transcript must include the original signature of the registrar and/or the seal of the issuing institution, and it must be enclosed in an envelope with the stamp or signature of the registrar across the sealed flap. Proof of a bachelor's and/or master's degree (if applicable) is required from a regionally accredited college or university. Requested transcripts should be mailed to the applicant and submitted to the University of Denver with supplemental admission materials. Please do not request that transcripts be mailed directly to the University of Denver from other institutions.

Applications will not be forwarded to the department for review until official transcripts have been received. The University is not responsible for obtaining an applicant's transcripts, including any record of work completed at the University of Denver.

All credentials submitted become property of the University of Denver and cannot be copied or returned to the student or any person(s).

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Three (3) letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s scholarly and/or creative work are required. Included all recommendations with application materials.

ESSAY

An academic essay or selection of creative works.

MAILING ADDRESS

Mail all supplemental admission materials, including official transcripts, in one package to:

University of Denver
Office of Graduate Admission
University Hall, Room 216
2197 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208