Applying to the Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies Program of the University of Arkansas is a two step process: Admission into the University of Arkansas Graduate School and admission into the Program. Application for a Teaching Assistantship will require filling an additional form. Below you will find a detailed list of the application requirements, as well as the necessary forms. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process or about our Program, do not hesitate to contact us.

Qualifications: The normal preparation for graduate study in comparative literature and Cultural Studies Program is an undergraduate or masters degree in literature or foreign languages. The program may also accept students with undergraduate or masters degrees in the humanities, the social sciences, and other relevant fields under the condition that any deficiencies in literature or foreign languages be completed in addition to the requirements for the degree. All applicants should have advanced proficiency in at least one foreign language.

The Graduate School. All applicants are required to apply to the Graduate school of the University of Arkansas. The Graduate School sets the minimum admission requirements for all graduate students at the University of Arkansas, such as having a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4) or above in the last 60 hours of coursework..See the Graduate School Page for more information and visit this page for further instructions: http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/forms/student/appl-instruct.pdf

International Students. Applicants whose native language is not English must present satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, our institution code is 6866) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The University defines a satisfactory score on TOEFL as 550 (paper- based)/213 (computer-based) , 80 on the new ITB (Internet Based TOEFL) or above, or 6.5 on the IELTS or above for admission and the test must have been taken within two years immediately preceding the requested semester of admission and be valid at the time of enrollment. No other measures of English proficiency are accepted by the University of Arkansas for the purpose of gaining admission.

Admission into the Program. In addition to the Graduate School application, students must apply directly to the Program of Comparative literature & Cultural Studies and provide the following documentation: Program Application Form,a statement of purpose, a writing sample,three letters of recommendation, and the GRE test (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic Writing).

Applying for an Assistantship. An additional form is required to apply for a graduate assistantship. International graduate students who wish to apply for a teaching assistantship must submit a score of at least 26 in the new iTB (Internet Based TOEFL), 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or 7 on the speaking portion of the IELTS before any request for such an appointment will be considered. Information concerning location, dates, and application materials may be obtained by connecting to the TOEFL web site or by writing the Educational Testing Service, TSE Box 2882, Princeton, NJ, USA 08541. Information concerning location, dates, and application materials my be obtained by connecting to the IELTS website or by writing the British Council.

Fellowships and Other Financial Aid. In addition to the assistantships, there are other fellowships like the Benjamin Franklin Lever Tuition Fellowship or the Harry and Jo Leggett Chancellor’s Fellowship. Two nationally competitive fellowships for Ph.D. applicants are the Doctoral Academy Fellowships or the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships ($30,000 per year). Through the Academic Common Market, Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies doctoral students from West Virginia and Tennessee are eligible for in-state tuition. Visit the Funding and Fellowships page of the Graduate School or the Human Resources Page of the University of Arkansas for listings for Graduate assistantships positions available. You may also contact Vicky Hartwell, Director of Graduate Fellowships at (479) 575-4327 or email hartwell@uark.edu..

Deadline. Entrance into the Program is normally during the fall semester (August). The preferred application deadline is January 15, specially if applying for an assistantship. Earlier applications are encouraged. Late applications may be considered, depending on program needs and the number of on time applications received.

Application Forms

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1. Application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. Print and mail this Application form to the Graduate School. You can also apply online.

2. Graduate Assistantship application form. Print and mail this Assistantship Application Form to the Director of Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies. You may also apply online for an assistantship from the Department of Foreign Languages.

3. Application to the Program. Print and mail this Application to the Program Form to the Director of Comparative Literature.

1. Graduate School Application for Admission (filled out completely and signed). Send to the Graduate School.

2. Application Fee ($40.00 check or money order payable to the University of Arkansas; $50.00 for international students). Send to the Graduate School.

3. Two copies each of all official transcript(s) from every undergraduate institution attended sent directly from each college or university to the following address. Send to the Graduate School.

4. Test scores. GRE for all applicants. International Students TOEFL or IELTS. TSE for teaching assistantship applicants.The institution code for the University of Arkansas is 6866. Send to the Graduate School.

5. Program Application Form. Send to the Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies Program.

6. Statement of Purpose. One to two page statement outlining academic interests and profesional goals. Send to the Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies Program.

7. Sample Writing. Enclose a sample of your best academic writing in English. In addition to the paper in English, you may also include a second paper written in another language you wish to pursue in your graduate studies (optional). Both might be term papers or essay examinations.Send to the Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies Program.

8. Three letters of recommendation sent directly to the Program in Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies or sent with the rest of the application materials in sealed and singned envelopes.

Your file cannot be processed until we have received all official transcripts.

CONTACTS

Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies Program