English, Ph.D.

Core Courses (9 Credit Hours)

Core courses required of all students are as follows:

• ENGL 6310 - Advanced Literary Studies
• ENGL 6311 - Survey of Literary Criticism
• ENGL 6312 - Teaching Practicum (includes Teaching Workshops prior to fall classes in second year)

Advanced Seminars (15 Credit Hours)

In addition, students must take a minimum of five 7000-level seminars  and will be expected to include in their program of study courses covering a wide range of fields. The course numbers listed below may be used multiple times.

• ENGL 7311 - Seminar in Literary Theory
• ENGL 7340 - Seminar in British Literature
• ENGL 7350 - Seminar in American Literature
• ENGL 7370 - Seminar in Minority Literature
• ENGL 7372 - Seminar in Transatlantic Literature
• ENGL 7374 - Problems in Literary History
• ENGL 7376 - Seminar: Special Topics

Elective Courses (18 Credit Hours)

Students must take an additional 18 credit hours (six courses) of elective seminars and proseminars. Courses used to satisfy the Advanced Seminar requirement will not also count for elective credit. With permission, students may develop interdisciplinary approaches by taking up to six credit hours (two courses) outside the English department. Courses include the following:

• ENGL 6320 - Medieval Literature
• ENGL 6321 - Readings: Medieval Literature
• ENGL 6330 - Early Modern British Literature
• ENGL 6340 - British Literature in the Age of Revolutions
• ENGL 6345 - American Literature in the Age of Revolutions
• ENGL 6350 - Modern and Contemporary British Literature
• ENGL 6360 - Modern and Contemporary American Literature
• ENGL 6370 - African-American Literature
• ENGL 6373 - Hispanic-American Literature
• ENGL 6380 - History of Print Culture
• ENGL 7311 - Seminar in Literary Theory
• ENGL 7340 - Seminar in British Literature
• ENGL 7350 - Seminar in American Literature
• ENGL 7370 - Seminar in Minority Literature
• ENGL 7372 - Seminar in Transatlantic Literature
• ENGL 7374 - Problems in Literary History
• ENGL 7376 - Seminar: Special Topics

Second Language Proficiency (0 Credit Hours)

Proficiency in a second language relevant to the student’s course of study is required and should be demonstrated prior to the term in which written exams are scheduled. Students are responsible for acquiring this proficiency. For certain dissertation topics, additional languages may be required.

Qualifying Examinations and Dissertation (12 Credit Hours)

Further requirements include written exams in the fall of the fourth year of study and a dissertation prospectus and oral defense of that prospectus during the spring term of the fourth year. The M.A. degree will be awarded after completion of the written exams. Note: For students entering with the M.A. degree, 12 credit hours (one year of coursework) may, with permission, be waived and the schedule above adjusted accordingly.

Courses associated with this requirement include the following:

• ENGL 7398 - Directed Readings
• ENGL 7399 - Directed Readings
• ENGL 8398 - Dissertation
• ENGL 8399 - Dissertation

Good Standing

Students who remain in good standing are eligible to receive fellowship support for up to six years. They must maintain a GPA of at least 3.500, demonstrate the ability to do work of appropriate quality in seminars, make continuous progress in the program and receive the recommendation of an advisory committee. They will teach two courses a year for four years beginning in the second year of study, with either their fifth or sixth year serving as a dissertation fellowship year with no course requirements or teaching responsibilities. Exceptional students may be offered a one-year postdoctoral fellowship in the English Department after fulfilling all requirements for the Ph.D.

Students who wish to leave the Ph.D. program or who do not pass their Ph.D. Qualifying Exam, may earn the M.A. degree if they have satisfied the following requirements: successful completion of 30 credit hours of coursework; demonstrate proficiency in a second language; pass a Masters Comprehensive Exam. This option does not apply to students who have an M.A. degree from another institution.

Total: 54 Credit Hours