Doctor of Philosophy in English

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The Ph.D. program in English offers study in such areas as British and American literature, rhetoric and composition, language and linguistics, professional and technical writing, and film and literature. Distribution requirements direct students into applied as well as theoretical course work, preparing them for academic and nonacademic careers.

A graduate faculty member, after analysis of the applicant’s background and training, will counsel the student in planning an appropriate program. Small graduate seminars enable the student to develop the critical and investigative skills and insights necessary to perform successful scholarship and teaching. Fellowships and teaching assistantships are available for qualified students. Full-time students should be able to complete all the requirements for the doctoral degree in five years beyond the master’s degree.

The doctoral degree in English is granted to candidates who not only satisfactorily complete a definite number of prescribed courses but who also are recognized for their high attainments and ability as shown by passing the required candidacy examinations (as detailed below) and by the preparation and defense of a dissertation.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Admission

Students seeking admission to the Ph.D. program in the Department of English must meet all the requirements for admission to the NIU Graduate School. In addition to the standard requirements for graduate admission, the doctoral program requires degree-seeking applicants to submit the following materials:

Baccalaureate Field: A B.A./B.S. in English is required to be considered for admission. Outstanding candidates from other related fields with substantial course work in English will also be considered.
Grade Point Average: At least 3.2/4.00 GPA is required for any graduate-level work completed prior to application to the program.
Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your ability to be successful in the completion of a graduate-level degree program. The individuals who submit a letter for you should be individuals who have a professional or academic relationship with you.
Personal Statement: Your personal statement should outline your preparation for graduate study in your chosen field, as well as your goals for graduate school and beyond. In the statement, also explain why you believe the program at NIU can best help you meet your goals.
Writing Sample: A writing sample, ideally in the area of English studies you wish to pursue, no longer than 6,500 words (excluding Works Cited and notes, if applicable). It should illustrate your ability to communicate a well-organized theory or concept.

Deadlines: Applications for the fall semester (August) enrollment will be reviewed beginning on March 1 and for the spring semester (January) enrollment will be reviewed beginning on September 15.

The Admissions Subcommittee of the department’s Graduate Studies Committee examines and weighs each applicant’s credentials in light of the requirements listed above, balancing each requirement with the others in order to estimate the potential for success that the “package” suggests. Excellent letters of recommendation or writing sample, for example, may compensate for slightly insufficient GPA.

Requirements

English Ph.D. students must normally complete a minimum of 72 semester hours. These include 60 hours of course work (30 of which may be approved M.A. course work) and 12 hours of ENGL 799, Doctoral Dissertation. Students and assigned advisors design a program to prepare students for areas of study leading to field examinations, a dissertation, and professional expertise. Students must also include at least three 700-level seminars. In particular cases, the Director of Graduate Studies may modify this requirement.

Core Requirements (15)

One course from each of the following groups

Research Methodology (3):

ENGL 601 - Bibliography and Methods of Research Credits: 3
ENGL 608 - Research Methods in Linguistics Credits: 3
ENGL 625 - Methods of Research in Professional Writing Credits: 3

Issues in Criticism (3):

ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3 A. History of Literary Theory
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3 B. Contemporary Literary Theory
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3 C. Interpretation of Literary Texts
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3 D. Feminist Literary Theory and Criticism

Area of Specialization (12)

Courses to be determined by student in consultation with advisor.

Electives (9)

Electives could constitute a secondary area of specialization depending on the individual student’s interests.

Foreign Language Requirement

All Ph.D. students must fulfill a Language/Research Tool Requirement before taking the candidacy examinations. Students may fulfill the requirement by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English. The choice of language is subject to departmental approval. Alternatively, if they are fluent in a language other than English, students may demonstrate linguistic proficiency by petitioning the Director of Graduate Studies with proof of their fluency in that language. Students may also fulfill the language requirement by completing with a grade of B or higher two graduate courses in the History of the English Language (ENGL 611, ENGL 612, or ENGL 613), the history or use of a relevant language, or an alternative topic approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, provided that the courses are taken in addition to courses taken to fulfill core requirements for the degree. (For other means of demonstrating language proficiency, refer to “Language and Research-Tool Requirement” in the Requirements for Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.)

Candidacy Examinations

All Ph.D. students must successfully complete three Ph.D. candidacy examinations.

Two of these are written examinations in two fields of study selected from the following.

Rhetoric
Linguistics or philology
Medieval literature (Old English literature and Middle English literature)
English literature from 1500 to 1600
English literature from 1600 to 1660
British literature from 1660 to 1800
British literature from 1800 to 1900
British literature since 1900
American literature to 1865
American literature since 1865
African-American literature
British and American women’s literature since 1750
Film and Literature
Writing Studies
A special field as determined by an examination committee and student in consultation

The third is an oral examination which consists of an explanation and defense of the student’s dissertation proposal, including its relation to the larger body of relevant knowledge and to the teaching of English or to other professional pursuits.

Students may request permission of the director of graduate studies in English to take the examinations when they have successfully completed 20 semester hours of course work beyond the M.A. degree (or 50 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree).

Dissertation

Candidates must write a dissertation that contributes to knowledge of literature, linguistics, rhetoric, or English education, and exhibits original scholarship and the ability to conduct independent research. Candidates must pass an oral defense of the dissertation. Chaired by the dissertation director, who must be a senior member of the graduate faculty in English, the dissertation committee shall consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty. The dean of the Graduate School or a dean’s designee may also serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the dissertation defense committee.