Purdue University College of Liberal Arts
Information for
Programs
PhD Program
To qualify for a doctoral degree, the candidate must meet University and Department requirements as to minimum hours of credit (30), residence, foreign language proficiency, and grades (cumulative GPA no less than 3.0). The candidate must also:
- Pass one written preliminary examination
- Demonstrate proficiency in a secondary area by either course work or a second written preliminary examination
- Submit and defend a dissertation prospectus
- Write and defend a dissertation.
MA Program
To qualify for a master's degree, the candidate must meet university and departmental requirements as to hours of credit, residence, required courses, foreign language proficiency, and grades (cumulative GPA no less than 3.0). The candidate must also pass the M.A. examination or write a satisfactory thesis.
All students in Literature, English Language and Linguistics, and Rhetoric and Composition must complete two core courses: Methods of English Studies and one course in English Language and Linguistics. All M.A. students also must take at least one 600-level seminar.
Students concentrating in Literature must take one course in each of five separate areas of literature listed below.
- Medieval
- Renaissance (16th and 17th centuries)
- 18th century
- 19th century
- 20th century
Students emphasizing Rhetoric and Composition must take one course in at least three separate areas of literature from the five listed above.
MFA Program
The MFA program requires completion of thirty-six credits plus twelve thesis credits and a mid-sized book-quality manuscript written under the supervision of a committee chaired by a member of the creative writing committee.
The creative writing concentration has its own core requirements which include:
- 12 credits of English 606 or 609 (Writing Poetry or Writing Drama). It is recommended that all 12 hours be taken in the student's major genre.
- 3 credits in English 607 (Craft of Fiction or Craft of Poetry), to be taken in the student's major genre.
- 15 credits chosen from other English Department Graduate Courses.
- 12 credits in English 698.
The creative writing concentration requires demonstration of proficiency in a foreign language. It does not require English 501, or English 506. It does not require a comprehensive examination, though it does require a thesis defense.
Students are encouraged to choose their thesis committee early in their third semester and begin serious preparation toward the thesis under the direction of their major professor.