English Literature PhD

Admission Requirements

Master's degree in English or equivalent.
GPA of 3.50 or above from a recognized university.
Promise as a scholar as demonstrated by letter of intent and submitted writing sample.
Proposed research that is relevant to the program.
A feasible research proposal in terms of material resources including faculty supervision.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Additional Admission Requirements

In exceptional circumstances, outstanding students who have completed 18 credits of course work in English Literature at the master's level may be admitted into the PhD program before satisfying the remaining master's requirements.

Applicants are assessed by the Department of English's Graduate Committee on the basis of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, research ability, and a letter of intent.

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.

Please see the English Courses page for course descriptions.

English Literature PhD (90 credits)

7	credits of Required Courses: • ENGL 800 Pro-Seminar I: Theory (3.00) • ENGL 801 Pro-Seminar II: Methodology (3.00) • ENGL 802 Professional Development Workshops (1.00)
12	credits of Studies Courses, chosen from the following lists, with a minimum of three credits of pre-20th Century courses: Independent Studies in English Literature Special Topics in English Literature Studies in Early English Literature and Medieval Literature Studies in Renaissance Literature Studies in Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature Studies in Twentieth Century Literature Studies in Poetry Studies in Drama Studies in Fiction Studies in the History of Ideas Studies in Shakespeare Studies in Canadian Literature Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Studies in Literary Criticism Studies in Selected Areas
6	credits: • ENGL 890 Thesis Proposal (6.00)
12	credits of Field Examinations: • ENGL 891 The Major Field Examination I (6.00) • ENGL 892 The Sub-Field Examination II (6.00)
53	credits: • ENGL 895 Thesis Research (53.00)

Independent Studies in English Literature

• ENGL 803 Independent Study in English Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 804 Independent Study in English Literature (3.00)

Special Topics in English Literature

• ENGL 601 Special Topics in English Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 602 Special Topics in English Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 603 Special Topics in English Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 604 Special Topics in English Literature (3.00)

Studies in Early English Literature and Medieval Literature

• ENGL 605 Studies in Early English Literature and Medieval Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 606 Studies in Early English Literature and Medieval Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 607 Studies in Early English Literature and Medieval Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 608 Studies in Early English Literature and Medieval Literature (3.00)

Studies in Renaissance Literature

• ENGL 610 Studies in Renaissance Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 611 Studies in Renaissance Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 612 Studies in Renaissance Literature (3.00)

Studies in Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature

• ENGL 615 Studies in Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 616 Studies in Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 619 Studies in Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature (3.00)

Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature

• ENGL 620 Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 621 Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 622 Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 623 Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 624 Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature (3.00)

Studies in Twentieth Century Literature

• ENGL 625 Studies in Twentieth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 626 Studies in Twentieth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 627 Studies in Twentieth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 628 Studies in Twentieth Century Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 629 Studies in Twentieth Century Literature (3.00)

Studies in Poetry

• ENGL 630 Studies in Poetry (3.00)

• ENGL 631 Studies in Poetry (3.00)

Studies in Drama

• ENGL 635 Studies in Drama (3.00)

• ENGL 636 Studies in Drama (3.00)

• ENGL 637 Studies in Drama (3.00)

Studies in Fiction

• ENGL 640 Studies in Fiction (3.00)

• ENGL 641 Studies in Fiction (3.00)

Studies in the History of Ideas

• ENGL 645 Studies in the History of Ideas (3.00)

• ENGL 646 Studies in the History of Ideas (3.00)

• ENGL 648 Studies in the History of Ideas (3.00)

Studies in Shakespeare

• ENGL 650 Studies in Shakespeare (3.00)

• ENGL 652 Studies in Shakespeare (3.00)

Studies in American Literature

• ENGL 655 Studies in American Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 656 Studies in American Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 657 Studies in American Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 658 Studies in American Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 659 Studies in American Literature (3.00)

Studies in Canadian Literature

• ENGL 660 Studies in Canadian Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 662 Studies in Canadian Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 663 Studies in Canadian Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 664 Studies in Canadian Literature (3.00)

Studies in Post-Colonial Literature

• ENGL 665 Studies in Post-Colonial Literature (3.00)

• ENGL 667 Studies in Post-Colonial Literature (3.00)

Studies in Literary Criticism

• ENGL 668 Studies in Literary Criticism (3.00)

• ENGL 669 Studies in Literary Criticism (3.00)

Studies in Selected Areas

• ENGL 685 Selected Area III (3.00)

• ENGL 687 Selected Area IV (3.00)

• ENGL 688 Selected Area V (3.00)

• ENGL 689 Selected Area VI (3.00)

Additional Degree Requirements

Language Requirement. Students are required to demonstrate reading knowledge of a language other than English, a language of demonstrated relevance to their program of research. Language testing occurs once each term, and students are expected to pass the language requirement by the end of their second year in the program.

Academic Regulations

Academic Standing. Please refer to the Academic Standing section of the Calendar for a detailed review of the Academic Regulations.
Residence Requirements. The minimum required residency is six consecutive terms (including summers) of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
Time Limit. Please refer to the Academic Regulations page for further details regarding the Time Limits.
Graduation Requirement. In order to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.