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)

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