Program Overview

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English, PhD

The Department of English offers a PhD in English with specializations in Composition and Rhetoric, English Language and Linguistics, or Literary Studies.

Literary Studies Pathway (MA + PhD)

Students enrolled in the literary studies PhD specialization become eligible for an MA English degree in the literary studies area when they successfully complete the first-stage doctoral requirements. The literary studies specialization does not offer an MA apart from the doctoral program. The literary studies track offers a rigorous course of study leading to the completion of a doctoral dissertation in any field of English, American, or Anglophone literature and culture, or in any field of literary theory and criticism.

Composition and Rhetoric Pathway (PhD)

Students enrolled in the composition and rhetoric PhD specialization must have earned a master's degree prior to matriculation in the doctoral program. The composition and rhetoric track offers a vibrant intellectual community of scholar-teachers and supports research in a wide array of subfields, including literacy studies, composition theory & pedagogy, rhetorical studies, and writing centers/writing program administration.

English Language and Linguistics Pathway (MA+ PhD)

The English language and linguistics area is intended for students with a solid foundation in the English language, applied linguistics, and related fields. Students enrolled in the English language and linguistics PhD specialization become eligible for an MA English degree when they successfully complete the first-stage doctoral requirements. The English language and linguistics specialization does not offer an MA apart from the doctoral program.

Admissions

• Fall Deadline: December 8
• Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
• Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy.
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Funding

PhD students in UW-Madison English programs receive five or six years of guaranteed funding through a combination of fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships. Students also receive tuition remission, a robust healthcare plan, and are eligible for professional development/travel funds and other forms of financial support.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 51 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.5 GPA required
• Other Grade Requirements: Grades of BC or lower cannot be used to meet an English Course Requirement.
• Assessments and Examinations:
  • Preliminary exam
  • Dissertation Prospectus Conference
  • Final Defense and dissertation submission
• Language Requirements: Demonstrate proof of competency in one non-English language by the time of PhD degree completion.

Required Courses

Each pathway has specific course requirements. Graduate seminar offerings in English reflect the faculty's current areas of research and therefore change importantly from year to year.

Composition and Rhetoric Pathway

• Composition Rhetoric Coursework Requirement: Students must complete 18 credits from the following courses.
• Research Methods/Tool: Students must complete 6 credits or two courses that focus explicitly on the problems and practice of research.
• Breadth: Courses are chosen by the student and the minor or graduate/professional certificate advisor in consultation with the students program advisor.
• Additional Coursework: To meet the minimum credit requirement, students complete additional coursework, including independent study and/or language or dissertator research credits, in consultation with the faculty advisor.

English Language and Linguistics Pathway

• English Language and Linguistics Coursework: Students must successfully complete the following courses within the first two years or by start of the fifth semester.
• Electives: Students complete courses from the "Elective Course Options" course list.
• Graduate Specialization: In the third year, students work in an area or areas of specialization and begin to create an ongoing research agenda.
• Breadth: Courses are chosen by the student and the minor or graduate/professional certificate advisor in consultation with the students program advisor.
• Research: Students complete from the following.

Literary Studies Pathway

• Literature (pre-1800 and post-1800): Students must complete one pre-1800 and one post-1800 literature course in the English Department, numbered 700 or above.
• Literary Studies: Students must complete the following course during the first semester.
• Composition: Students must complete one of the following courses.
• Race, Ethnicity and/or Indigeneity: Students must complete at least 3 credits of a graduate-level course that focuses on topics of race, ethnicity and/or indigenity.
• Elective Graduate Coursework: Students must complete 15 credits of additional graduate seminars.
• Graduate Specialization Seminars: Starting in the 3rd year, students work in an area or areas of specialization and begin to create an ongoing research agenda.
• Breadth: Courses are chosen by the student and the minor or graduate/professional certificate advisor in consultation with the students program advisor.
• Research: Students complete the following.

Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program director approval, students may transfer up to 6 credits of relevant graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: With program director's approval, up to 6 credits of relevant graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate student may transfer towards the MA requirements.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy. Students must meet both Graduate School minimum requirements and program requirements for satisfactory progress and academic expectations.

Advisor / Committee

Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor and Graduate School: Committees (Doctoral/Masters/MFA) policies.

Credits Per Term Allowed

Students in the English Departments PhD program are expected to enroll full time.

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing concerns.

Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within the field of study.
2. Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge within the field of study demonstrating breadth as well as depth.
3. Conducts research according to recognized standards in the field and crafts persuasive and original arguments that make a substantive contribution to the field.
4. Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner that advances and articulates the value of contributions of the field of study to society.
5. Demonstrates knowledge and practice of pedagogy consistent with discipline and with field of study.
6. Fosters ethical and professional conduct.