Folklore Studies - MA, MS

Admission Requirements

Folklore and American Studies is an interdisciplinary program, therefore applicants are welcome from various undergraduate backgrounds.

Application Requirements:

• Fill out the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Standardized tests are NOT required for this application
• Provide a copy of your transcript
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
• Submit a portfolio of writing materials with the following components:

1) Statement of intent: Applicants must submit a statement of intent that explains their reasons for seeking a master's degree in "Folklore and American Studies" at Utah State University. This statement should briefly describe their previous academic work, identifying central themes, areas of interest, and skills acquired, and applicants should explain how these prior academic experiences have prepared and/or motivated them to enter a graduate program in "Folklore and American Studies." The statement of intent may also address any relevant professional experiences and explain how such experiences have prepared and/or motivated them to enter this graduate program. Within this statement of intent, applicants should identify some of the specific topics or disciplinary areas they would like to focus on for their graduate work. Applicants should also make an effort to show that they are familiar with the specific requirements and features of the "Folklore and American Studies " program at USU.

Note: For the statement of intent, applicants may focus their attention primarily on how their prior experiences have prepared them specifically for one field within this program (Folklore or American Studies), although they must also make some effort to address how their interests will be informed by exposure to the other field in the course of their graduate study.

2) Preface to Writing Sample: Applicants should write a one-paragraph preface for their writing sample that explains the following:

a) Context: Applicants must explain when they wrote this writing sample and for what purpose. Who was the original audience? And what were the original goals for this piece of writing?

b) Relationship to Folklore and/or American Studies: Applicants must explain how this writing sample demonstrates knowledge and skills that are applicable to the fields of Folklore and/or American Studies.

3) Writing Sample: Applicants must submit a 10-25 page sample of academic writing which demonstrates that they are ready to write at the level expected for graduate seminar assignments. Ideally, this writing sample should focus on a topic related to Folklore or American Studies and demonstrate the applicants' critical thinking skills, research skills, and strengths as a writer.

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Deadlines

The department has the following deadline:

• January 15
• The department will continue to review applications submitted after that date, but chances of acceptance and financial assistance are better for students who apply earlier.

Program Requirements

Students may have an opportunity to complete an internship for credit, but an internship is not required.

Plan Options

Students can receive the MS or MA by pursuing one of two options:

• In the Plan A option, students complete 24 credits of graduate coursework and write a six-credit thesis, with an oral defense meeting.
• In the Plan B option, students complete 27 credits of graduate coursework and write a three-credit paper or creative project, with an oral defense meeting.

Financial Aid

Students can apply to become graduate instructors. Graduate instructors teach English 1010 and English 2010, general education courses that all USU undergraduates are required to take. Students who are graduate instructors might also receive tuition awards through the School of Graduate Studies, as well as subsidized health insurance, in addition to the following salaries:

• First-year GIs in the English Department are currently paid $2,251 per class. Since most teach two classes in fall and another two in spring, this works out as a typical annual salary of $9,004.
• Second-year GIs are currently paid $2,545 per class, which works out as a typical annual salary of $10,180.

Additionally, the cost of living in Logan, Utah, is about 12% lower than the national average.

To be considered, students must submit their graduate school applications early and submit a specific application to be a graduate instructor, as well as a letter of interest and a resume, by January 15 to Dr. Keith Grant-Davie, director of graduate studies for the English Department.

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website.