PhD Requirements: Lit/Comp & Rhet

1. Coursework

• 6 elective courses (18 credits)
• (1 credit): “Introduction to English Graduate Studies” (796-01) during first term, if not already taken as part of MA/PhD program

NOTES:

• ”Introduction to English Graduate Studies” (796-01) replaces the theory requirement for those entering Fall 2024 onward.
• A student entering with an MA from another program may be required to take one or two pre-1800 or pre-1900 graduate courses if their MA is seen to be deficient in breadth of preparation.
• Students entering with an MFA are expected to complete an MA in English before advancing to the PhD.
• For Literature students, up to two graduate courses from other departments at UMass fulfill elective credit with approval of the Graduate Program Director.
• Creative Writing workshops cannot be applied towards the degree.

2. Two-Area/Preliminary Comprehensive Exam (6 credits)

Please refer to “The Two-Area/Preliminary Comprehensive Exam” section of this handbook for important details.

3. Dissertation (18 credits) and Other Doctoral Requirements

Please refer to “The Dissertation” section of this handbook for important information, procedures, and deadlines related to credit registration, director/chair and committee arrangements, the prospectus, the defense (Final Doctoral Oral Exam), dissertation formatting and submission, the dissertation signature page, the Doctoral Degree Eligibility Form, and other graduation requirements that must be completed in a thorough, timely way.

4. Residency Requirement

As per the Graduate School, “a doctoral candidate must spend the equivalent of at least one continuous academic year of full-time graduate work (nine credits per semester) in residence at the University. The residency year must be either in a Fall/ Spring or Spring/Fall sequence. During this year, the student must spend some part of each week physically on campus.” Summer sessions do not count as part of the two-semester sequence. Typically, dissertation credits make up the additional six hours in Year One to fulfill this requirement. Teaching for the Writing Program or the department during a term while enrolled in two classes can also count toward full-time status for residency purposes. Contact the English Graduate Program Assistant with questions.