UofC

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

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.

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.

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

Master of Arts

a) A University of Calgary Honours degree or its equivalent in English (60 units or 10 full-course equivalents in English).

b) A Statement of Intent.

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

d) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based), 105 (Internet-based test), a MELAB score of 86, an IELTS score of 7.5 with no band less than 7.0, or a PTE score of 75.

e) Two reference letters.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A Master of Arts Degree in English Literature or its equivalent.

b) A Statement of Intent.

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

d) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based), 105 (Internet-based test), a MELAB score of 86, an IELTS score of 7.5 with no band less than 7.0, or a PTE score of 75.

e) Two reference letters.

f) A curriculum vitae.

Online applications must be complete and supporting documents (with the exception of letters of reference and official transcripts) received in the department by December 15. Letters of reference and official transcripts will be received until January 10. We recommend you allow at least 15 business days for mailing any supporting documents. Please note: the Department of English only has one application deadline and admits only for September.

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 (3.5 full-course equivalents) 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 (0.5 full-course equivalent) in literature from the twentieth century and after, AND at least 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) 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 (3.0 full-course equivalents) 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 (0.5 full-course equivalent) in literature from the twentieth century and after, AND at least 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) 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 (3.0 full-course equivalents) 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 (1.0 full-course equivalent) in literature from the twentieth century and after, AND
2. at least 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) in literature from one of the four areas below, of which at least 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) must be selected from areas i, ii, or iii:

i. Medieval literature
ii. Early Modern literature
iii. Restoration and eighteenth-century literature
iv. Romantic literature and Victorian literature

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 (1.0 full-course equivalent) 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) A written and oral Field of Study Examination.

f) A dissertation proposal.

g) A doctoral dissertation on approved topic.

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 graduate students may take for credit up to 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) 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 the following:

1. A written General Comprehensive Examination, normally undertaken in September of the second year. Dates will be set by the department; this is a common exam, with a common sitting and common reading list. Consult the Department website for details.

2. The Faculty of Graduate Studies requires the successful completion of a candidacy oral examination. This candidacy exam is based on the field reading lists and written field of study exams set by the department. Prepared by the supervisory committee, the examination consists of three parts, each requiring the student to answer one of two questions (for a total of three of six questions). This examination must be completed no less than ten working days before the candidacy oral examination.

The candidacy oral examination is a formal oral examination scheduled by the Faculty of Graduate Studies no later than 28 months after the student's initial registration in the program (for those who entered the program with an MA degree).

This oral examination should address issues arising from the written examination. Examiners are asked to record their assessment of the written component by commenting on the use of relevant literature and techniques, organization, literary competence, originality, argumentation leading to the conclusions, and anything else they consider important.

The candidacy oral examination will be conducted according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies procedures. Questions on the Dissertation Proposal will not be included in the Oral Examination.

Consult the Department website for details.

Revised candidacy requirements will be posted in the 2016-2017 academic year.

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 proposal of two pages plus bibliography and submit it to the Graduate Program Office for approval.

Doctor of Philosophy
By September 30 of the second year, each student must submit a initial thesis proposal to the Graduate Executive Committee.

The student must submit a final thesis proposal and bibliography to the doctoral supervisory committee within three months of successful completion of the candidacy examinations for approval. Further details are available from the department.

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.

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.

For further details about graduate programs in English and about the Creative Writing Option, please consult the department website at english.ucalgary.ca/graduate.

Detailed information about faculty members and their research interests may be found at english.ucalgary.ca/contact-us/directory.