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Location: Social Sciences Building, Room 1148
Program number: 403.220.5484
Fax: 403.289.1123
Email address: enggrad@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Arts (MA), one year course-based or two year thesis-based. Both the one-year and two –year MA programs include significant independent research. One year course-based MA program is SSHRC-eligible and is appropriate for students who intend to proceed to doctoral studies.

All students (PhD, thesis-based MA, and course-based MA) must be registered full-time. Students may be considered for part-time status with departmental approval. Please consult the Department of English for more information.

Specialization:

• Literature in English

A Creative Writing option is also available. Consult the department website for further details.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Arts

a) A completed four-year undergraduate program (or equivalent) with a Major in English Literature or in a closely related discipline.

b) A minimum admission grade point average of 3.3 on a four-point scale over the final 60 units of the undergraduate degree.

c) A Statement of Intent.

d) A 5-10 page sample of critical writing; for creative writing applicants, an additional 10-page sample of creative writing.

e) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 105 (Internet-based test), an IELTS score of 7.5 with no band less than 7.0, or a CAEL score of 70 with no section less than 70, or a PTE score of 75. This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate () with a minimum grade of "A-" in each course.

f) Two reference letters.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A completed four-year undergraduate program (or equivalent), and a completed Master’s degree. At least one of the degrees must be in English Literature. In exceptional circumstances, degrees in a closely related discipline may meet admission requirements.

b) A grade point average of 3.5 on a four-point scale at the graduate level.

c) A Statement of Intent.

d) A 5-10 page sample of critical writing; for creative writing applicants, an additional 10-page sample of creative writing.

e) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 105 (Internet-based test), an IELTS score of 7.5 with no band less than 7.0, or a CAEL score of 70 with no section less than 70, or a PTE score of 75. This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate () with a minimum grade of "A-" in each course.

f) Two reference letters.

g) A curriculum vitae.

Deadline for submission of complete applications is available on the Future Students website:

Master of Arts (thesis-based):

Master of Arts (course-based):

Doctor of Philosophy:

Application for advanced credit must be made to the Department Head at the time of admission.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department normally requires:

Master of Arts (one-year course-based with research project)

a) Twenty-one units in English at the 600 or 700 level beyond the Honours BA or equivalent, which must meet the Historical Breadth Requirement.

Historical Breadth Requirement: at least 3 units in literature from the twentieth century and after, AND at least 3 units in literature from before the twentieth century.

b) English 710 (includes a final major research project of approximately 50 pages).

c) English 691 or its equivalent.

Master of Arts (two-year thesis-based)

a) Eighteen units in English at the 600 or 700 level beyond the Honours BA, which must meet the Historical Breadth Requirement.

Historical Breadth Requirement: at least 3 units in literature from the twentieth century and after, AND at least 3 units in literature from before the twentieth century.

b) English 691 or its equivalent.

c) A scholarly and/or critical thesis (approximately 100 pp) approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) Eighteen units in English at the 600, 700 or 800 level beyond the Master's, which must meet the Historical Breadth Requirement.

Historical Breadth Requirement:

1. At least 6 units in literature from the twentieth century and after, AND
2. At least 6 units of cumulative English courses from before 1900. Courses must focus on literature from that period.

NOTE: This requirement may be fulfilled by graduate courses completed during the Master's degree. Students must provide documentation of previous course work to the Graduate Program Office.

b) English 691 or its equivalent.

c) A demonstrated reading knowledge of a language other than English. Students are encouraged to establish competency in a language that contains a body of texts relevant to their program of study. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:

1. A minimum grade of "B" in 6 units at a senior (300) level in a language course.
2. Passing the department reading exam, which is set twice a year.
3. Documentation establishing native proficiency in a language other than English. It is the responsibility of the student to supply evidence of native proficiency or evidence that course work in a language at another university meets the requirement spelled out in this guide. Students who do not meet the requirement upon entry should consult with the Associate Head (Graduate Program) no later than the week before classes begin about the best approach to take.

d) A General Comprehensive Examination.

e) Written and oral Field of Study Examinations.

f) A thesis proposal.

g) A doctoral thesis on approved topic and an oral thesis examination.

Copyediting

While suggestions for editorial changes are a normal part of the collaboration between a student, the supervisory committee and the academic community, having a thesis professionally edited is prohibited by the department.

All students must attend an orientation session.

Master of Arts

Knowledge of one language other than English is a great asset and an advantage for future doctoral studies. Students are encouraged to establish competency in a language that contains a body of texts relevant to their program of study. This can be discussed with the Graduate Director.

With the approval of the Department, all MA students may take for credit up to 3 units at the 500 level (excluding English 504).

Expected completion time is up to twelve months for the course-based (with research project) Master of Arts, two years for the thesis-based Master of Arts and four years for the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Maximum completion time is two years for the course-based (with research project) Master of Arts, four years for the thesis-based Master of Arts and six years for the Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Master of Arts

Students are initially assigned an interim advisor to give them time to familiarize themselves with faculty members’ research before securing a permanent supervisor.

Thesis-based: By March 1 of the first year, each student must submit a proposed field of research and the name of a proposed supervisor to the Graduate Executive Committee for approval.

Course-based: By June 1, students will approach a faculty member, normally one with whom they have completed (or are completing) a graduate course, to request supervision for their capstone research project.

Doctor of Philosophy

For the first eight months of the program, students are assigned an interim advisor to give them time to familiarize themselves with faculty members’ research before securing a permanent supervisor.

By April 1 of the first year, each student will submit the name of a proposed supervisor and the proposed thesis research focus to the Graduate Executive Committee for approval.

By September 30 of the second year, the student, in consultation with the supervisor, will submit the names of the proposed supervisory committee, Field of Study, and initial thesis proposal to the Graduate Executive Committee for approval.

Doctoral Candidacy Examinations

Before formally embarking on the writing of the PhD thesis, all students must pass a General Comprehensive Examination, a Field of Study Written Examination and a Field of Study Oral Examination. Details about the examination format and other candidacy requirements are available at: .

Thesis Examinations (MA thesis-based and Doctor of Philosophy)

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner must be external to the home program.

The thesis examination is open to the public.

Master of Arts
Thesis-based: By May 1, or no later than eight months after initial registration, each student must submit a thesis proposal to the Graduate Executive Committee. Further details are available from the department.

Course-based: By June 15 students will prepare a topic proposal of two pages plus bibliography for the capstone course and submit it to the Graduate Program Office for approval. Further details are available from the department.

Doctor of Philosophy
As part of candidacy requirements, doctoral students must have their final thesis proposal reviewed and approved by the supervisory committee. Specific requirements for the proposal and the format of the review meeting are available at: .

Students must register for courses by the end of June. Continuing students and new students who are able to do so should consult the course instructors before they register or as soon as they arrive on campus. Final approval to enter a course is given by the Head or Associate Head of the Department.

Students wishing to enroll in English 693, 694, 695, or 698 must submit a portfolio of their own work for evaluation before consent to register will be given. Details of this procedure are available from the Department of English.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for scholarships are advised to have their applications to the Department by December 15.