The Department of English offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English. Students interested in applying to this program should read the Graduate School section of the catalog and the department of English Graduate Bulletin. For further information, consult with the department’s Director of Graduate Studies.
The Ph.D. program is designed for students preparing to be teachers and scholars at universities and community colleges. Three emphases are offered within this selective degree program: literature, rhetoric and composition, and literature and environment. Students design their programs of study following departmental guidelines in consultation with their advisory committees, complete comprehensive examinations in their fields of specialization, and pursue original research resulting in a dissertation of publishable quality. High proficiency in one foreign language (the equivalent of six semesters of college-level coursework), proficiency (the equivalent of four semesters) in two languages, or proficiency in one foreign language and in linguistics and language studies is required. Students in the program are strongly encouraged to participate in professional activities, including academic conferences. The Ph.D. program is 73 credits beyond the B.A. Up to 24 credits from an M.A. may be approved to count towards the degree. One credit of comprehensive examination is required and is allowed to fulfill the required 31 credits of 700-level course work.
The literature emphasis offers an individualized course of study in English or American literatures; students take comprehensive examinations on their selected period, genre, topic, and major author or work. The rhetoric and composition specialization includes coursework in rhetorical history, composition theory and practice, advanced imaginative writing, rhetoric and criticism, and other areas in English studies. The literature and environment specialization allows students to combine advanced work in literary studies with interdisciplinary interests in environmental studies.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program must hold an M.A. in English or a closely related field with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Potential applicants without an M.A. in English should talk with the Director of Graduate Studies before applying to determine whether their graduate work is comparable to that expected.