The PhD program seeks to train students to be productive scholars and teachers in the fields of both literary studies and rhetoric and composition. In course work, students read and analyze the important texts, current issues, and critical methodologies of the discipline. Drawing on the breadth of this preparation, students demonstrate their ability to recognize and produce scholarly arguments in designing the three comprehensive field papers in areas of scholarly interest and competence corresponding to recognized and emerging fields of study. Finally, the dissertation offers students an opportunity to design a focused research project in consultation with a dissertation advisor. Throughout the program, faculty works closely with doctoral students to develop their scholarly and professional identities in preparation for careers.
Academic Standing/Progress
To be considered in good academic standing, PhD students must be making progress toward their degree requirements, including maintaining a 3.500 minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) and completing the comprehensive examination within one year of finishing coursework.
Doctoral Degree Candidacy
Students entering with a relevant BA must complete 48 semester hours; students entering with a relevant MA must complete 24 semester hours. All students must complete the language requirement, pass the comprehensive examination, and submit their approved prospectus within six months after completing the comprehensive examination to reach candidacy.
General Regulations
Program requirements are described in the CSSH Graduate Programs General Regulations and the Graduate Program in English PhD Guide. Both documents are updated annually.
Bachelor's Degree Entrance
Milestones
Annual progress review
Reading proficiency in two languages other than English
Comprehensive exam
Dissertation committee
Dissertation prospectus
Doctoral degree candidacy
Public prospectus/dissertation work-in-progress presentation
Dissertation defense
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Proseminar | ||
| ENGL 5103 | Proseminar | 4 |
| Theories and Methods | ||
| Complete 4 semester hours from the following: | 4 | |
| Topics in Literary Study (selected topics only) | ||
| Topics in Literature and other Disciplines (selected topics only) | ||
| Introduction to Digital Humanities | ||
| Topics in Digital Humanities | ||
| Theorizing Gender and Sexuality | ||
| Directed Study (GCWS Consortium, selected topics only) | ||
| Writing and Rhetoric | ||
| Complete 4 semester hours from the following (if completing 12 semester hours of Literary Period requirements). | 4-8 | |
| Complete 8 semester hours of the following (if completing 8 hours of Literary Period requirements). | ||
| Topics in Rhetoric | ||
| Writing and the Teaching of Writing | ||
| Topics in Writing | ||
| Literary Periods | ||
| Complete 8 semester hours from TWO of the following Literary Periods (if completing 8 semester hours of Writing and Rhetoric requirements), or complete 12 semester hours from THREE of the following Literary Periods (if completing 4 semester hours of Writing and Rhetoric requirements): | ||
| Literature Pre-1700 | ||
| Topics in Medieval Literature | ||
| Topics in Renaissance Literature | ||
| Literature 1700–1900 | ||
| Topics in 18th-Century Literature | ||
| Topics in Literary Study (selected topics only) | ||
| Topics in Genre (selected topics only) | ||
| Literature Post-1900 | ||
| Topics in American Literature (selected topics only) | ||
| African-American Novel | ||
| Topics in Literary Study (selected topics only) | ||
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 24 semester hours of ENGL courses, or non-ENGL courses through successful petition. | 24 | |
Dissertation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Preparation | ||
| Exam Preparation—Doctoral (Only needed for PhD students who have completed coursework but have yet to complete the comprehensive exams. Repeatable.) | ||
| Research | ||
| Research (To be completed during the proposal/prospectus phase prior to reaching candidacy.) | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Dissertation Term 1 | ||
| Dissertation Term 2 | ||
| Dissertation Continuation | ||
| Following completion of ENGL 9990 and ENGL 9991, registration in the following class is required in each fall and spring semester for all students and each summer semester for those within funding until the dissertation is completed (students outside of funding must also register in the summer semester if it is their terminal term): | ||
| Dissertation Continuation | ||
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
- 48 total semester hours required
- Minimum 3.500 GPA required
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Milestones
Annual progress review
Reading proficiency in two languages other than English
Comprehensive exam
Dissertation committee
Dissertation prospectus
Doctoral degree candidacy
Public prospectus/dissertation work-in-progress presentation
Dissertation defense
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Proseminar | ||
| ENGL 5103 | Proseminar | 4 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 20 semester hours of ENGL courses. | 20 | |
Dissertation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Preparation | ||
| Exam Preparation—Doctoral (Only needed for PhD students who have completed coursework but have yet to complete the comprehensive exams. Repeatable.) | ||
| Research | ||
| Research (To be completed during the proposal/prospectus phase prior to reaching candidacy.) | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Dissertation Term 1 | ||
| Dissertation Term 2 | ||
| Dissertation Continuation | ||
| Following completion of ENGL 9990 and ENGL 9991, registration in the following class is required in each fall and spring semester for all students and each summer semester for those within funding until the dissertation is completed (students outside of funding must also register in the summer semester if it is their terminal term): | ||
| Dissertation Continuation | ||
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
24 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.500 GPA required