A full-time student can complete this program in two academic years. Applicants who have completed their master's degrees elsewhere may also apply. Seldom are applicants accepted with graduate grade point averages below 3.5. A student who has taken the master of arts degree elsewhere must give evidence of knowledge of one foreign language on a level equivalent to that required of M.A. candidates in the English department's program. The Ph.D. degree requires eight units of course work, planned in consultation with an adviser.
Interdisciplinary work is encouraged.
Students may take course work outside of English. The special field examination is taken as the student completes course work and prepares to write the thesis. The student then goes on to complete and defend the thesis under the direction of a committee composed of four professors. A total of 16 units beyond the master's degree, including thesis credits, are required. A full-time student can complete this program in four years beyond the master's degree.