PhD Timeline
PhD Degree Program Requirements
PhD program specifics can be viewed below and should be referenced in conjunction with the Procedural Guide for Doctoral Students in the Department of Literatures in English.
PhD course requirements include 12 graduate-level courses (at least 6 for a letter grade), First-Year Colloquium, Writing 7100, and Advanced Pedagogy Workshops (non-credit). The stipend schedule is as follows (unless otherwise noted): Fellowship: Summers, 1st and 4th years – paid at beginning of term through the bursar; Teaching Assistantships: 2nd, 3rd, and 5th years – paid semi-monthly through payroll.
Year 1
FALL
Sage Fellowship 1 (or equivalent)
Enroll in: 3 Graduate-Level Courses, First-Year Colloquium, + Graduate Research
SPRING
Sage Fellowship 2 (or equivalent)
Enroll in: 3 Graduate-Level Courses + Graduate Research
Submit teaching requests + apply for Knight summer internship by February
Select Committee Chair by March
Select at least 1 of 2 Minor Committee Members by May
SUMMER
Knight Institute Teaching Internship: 6 weeks (paid twice a month)
Enroll in: Teaching Writing 7100, Graduate Research
2nd Year Committee Review Meeting (takes place August 1 - September 30)
Year 2
FALL
Teaching Assistantship
Enroll in: 2 Graduate-Level Courses + Graduate Research
Participate in Advanced Pedagogy Workshops
Select 2nd Minor Committee Member by December, if needed
Meet with Committee
SPRING
Teaching Assistantship
Enroll in: 2 Graduate-Level Courses + Graduate Research
Submit teaching requests
Meet with Committee
Apply for summer Graduate School fellowship
SUMMER
Sage Summer Fellowship (or equivalent)
Enroll in: Graduate Research
Year 3
FALL
Teaching Assistantship
Enroll in: 1 Graduate-Level Course + Graduate Research
Meet with Committee
Prepare for A Exam
SPRING
Teaching Assistantship
Enroll in: 1 Graduate-Level Course + Graduate Research (to complete required coursework!)
Take A Exam (by May 30)
Apply for summer Graduate School fellowship
SUMMER
Sage Summer Fellowship (or equivalent)
Enroll in: Graduate Research
Year 4
FALL
Sage Fellowship 3 (or equivalent)
Enroll in: Prospectus Seminar (optional) + Graduate Research
Submit Prospectus (approval needed by mid-October)
Meet with Committee
SPRING
Sage Fellowship 4 (or equivalent)
Enroll in: Graduate Research
Submit teaching requests
Meet with Committee
Strategize outside fellowships with Chair
Apply for summer Graduate School fellowship
SUMMER
Sage Summer Fellowship (or equivalent)
Enroll in: Graduate Research
Prepare for job market
Year 5
FALL
Teaching Assistantship
Enroll in: Placement Seminar (optional) + Graduate Research
Meet with Committee
Apply for jobs and fellowships
SPRING
Teaching Assistantship
Enroll in: Graduate Research
Meet with Committee
Apply for jobs and fellowships
SUMMER
Enroll in: Graduate Research
Defend Dissertation (B Exam)