PhD Timeline

PhD Degree Program Requirements

This is a projected timeline for degree completion in 6 years.

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 (as scheduled). The stipend schedule is as follows (unless otherwise noted): Fellowship: Sage 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

  • Submit previous MA course materials to the DGS for transfer credit review

SPRING

Sage Fellowship 2 (or equivalent)
 

  • Enroll in: 3 Graduate-Level Courses + Graduate Research

  • Complete Teaching Application
  • Apply for Knight Writing Instructor Program

  • Select Committee Chair by March 1st

  • Select (at least) 1 minor committee member by May 1st

SUMMER

Knight Writing Instructor Program

  • 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

  • Complete Teaching Application

  • Meet with Committee

  • Apply for summer Sage Summer Fellowship

SUMMER

Sage Summer Fellowship (or equivalent)

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research

  • Explore external funding opportunities

Year 3

FALL

Teaching Assistantship

  • Enroll in: 1 Graduate-Level Course (if needed) + Graduate Research

  • Meet with Committee

  • Prepare for A Exam

SPRING

Teaching Assistantship

  • Enroll in: 1 Graduate-Level Course (if needed) + Graduate Research (to complete required coursework!)

  • Take A Exam (by May 30)

  • Apply for Sage Summer Fellowship

SUMMER

Sage Summer Fellowship (or equivalent)

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research

  • Develop Prospectus

  • Explore external funding opportunities

Year 4

FALL

Sage Fellowship 3 (or equivalent)

  • Enroll in: Prospectus Seminar (optional) + Graduate Research

  • Submit Prospectus (approval needed by October 1st)

  • Submit external funding application

SPRING

Sage Fellowship 4 (or equivalent)

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research

  • Complete Teaching Application

  • Apply for Sage Summer Fellowship

SUMMER

Sage Summer Fellowship (or equivalent)

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research

Year 5

FALL

Teaching Assistantship

  • Enroll in: Placement Seminar (optional) + Graduate Research

  • Explore jobs and fellowship opportunities

  • Meet with Committee

  • Apply for jobs and fellowships

SPRING

Teaching Assistantship

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research

  • Complete Teaching Application

  • Apply for Sage Summer Fellowship

SUMMER

Summer Sage Fellowship (or equivalant)

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research

  • Prepare for job market

Year 6

FALL

Teaching Assistantship

  • Enroll in: Placement Seminar (optional) + Graduate Research
  • Participate in Mock Interviews
  • Apply for jobs and fellowships
  • Meet with committee

SPRING

Teaching Assistantship

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research
  • Apply for English Summer Fellowship
  • Apply for jobs and fellowships
  • Prepare for B-Exam
  • Participate in Commencement Weekend
  • Defend Dissertation (B-Exam) and deposit thesis by May 1st for May degree conferral

SUMMER

 English Summer Fellowship

  • Enroll in: Graduate Research
  • Defend Dissertation (B-Exam)
  • Deposit thesis
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