The Department of English offers a PhD in English (with specializations in Composition and Rhetoric, English Language and Linguistics, or Literary Studies).
Literary Studies Pathway (MA + PhD): Students enrolled in the literary studies PhD specialization become eligible for an MA English degree in the literary studies area when they successfully complete the first-stage doctoral requirements. The literary studies specialization does not offer an MA apart from the doctoral program. The literary studies track offers a rigorous course of study leading to the completion of a doctoral dissertation in any field of English, American, or Anglophone literature and culture, or in any field of literary theory and criticism. The program prepares students for active careers in higher education among other potential fields and combines a sharp focus on conceptual approaches to literary and cultural works with a commitment to broad coverage of the field of Anglophone literature. Graduate seminars taken during the first phases of the doctoral program serve to prepare students to develop research projects for the dissertation. As they progress toward the PhD, students are invited to consider interdisciplinary subspecialties: literary theory and criticism, visual studies, ecocriticism and environmentalism, transnational and global literature, material culture, print culture and book history, digital humanities, disability studies, gender studies, race and ethnic studies, feminist theory, LGBTQ literature and queer theory, postcolonial studies. The program provides opportunities for teaching writing and literature and for administrative experience.
Composition and Rhetoric Pathway (PhD): Students enrolled in the composition and rhetoric PhD specialization must have earned a master's degree prior to matriculation in our doctoral program. The composition and rhetoric track offers a vibrant intellectual community of scholar-teachers and supports research in a wide array of subfields, including literacy studies, composition theory & pedagogy, rhetorical studies, and writing centers/writing program administration. Faculty expertise in literacy, composition, and rhetoric includes emphases in migration, race and ethnicity, critical theory, historical and ethnographic methods, space and place, environmental rhetoric, science writing, visual rhetoric, and transnationalism. This multidisciplinary program with a low faculty-to-student ratio offers doctoral students close contact with faculty mentors throughout coursework and dissertation research. It also maintains close collaborations with campus programs in Communication Arts, Language Sciences, and Curriculum and Instruction, among others. The program offers varied opportunities for professional development in teaching, research, and writing program administration, and is recognized for its commitment to training well-rounded professionals in the field of composition and rhetoric.
English Language and Linguistics Pathway (MA+ PhD): The English language and linguistics area is intended for students with a solid foundation in the English language, applied linguistics, and related fields. Students enrolled in the English language and linguistics PhD specialization become eligible for an MA English degree when they successfully complete the first-stage doctoral requirements. The English language and linguistics specialization does not offer an MA apart from the doctoral program. Through program of course work and seminars, English language and linguistics doctoral students attain advanced knowledge in the core areas of English syntax and phonology and in the applied areas of second language acquisition, discourse analysis, and language variation and change. On reaching the dissertation stage, students pursue individual research in close cooperation with their faculty advisor. In recent years, students have written dissertations on code-switching, critical pedagogy, interactional competence, and conversation analysis, syntactic problems in second language acquisition, classroom discourse, and psycholinguistics. Graduates of the program have taken faculty positions at universities throughout the country.
If you are interested in applying to the Bridge Program in African American Studies to earn an MA and then move into the English PhD with an emphasis in Composition & Rhetoric or Literary Studies please see detailed information, Department of African American Studies.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 8 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
The Department of English offers a PhD in English. Applicants choose one program pathway of study (Composition and Rhetoric, English Language and Linguistics, or Literary Studies). Applicants applying to the Composition and Rhetoric program must already hold an MA degree.
The department also welcomes applications from well prepared applicants who do not have the equivalent of an English major. Such applicants may be asked to supplement the program of study by completing a small number of coverage courses.
Literary Studies Pathway (MA+PhD)
Applicants must demonstrate competence in one or more fields of literature in English and may have a bachelor's or master’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants who already hold an MA from another institution or program are expected to earn the MA degree in our Literary Studies program as well.
Composition & Rhetoric Pathway (PhD)
Applicants may have bachelor’s and master’s degree from a variety of fields beyond English but must complete a master's degree or equivalent before beginning our Composition & Rhetoric doctoral program.
English Language & Linguistics Pathway (MA+PhD)
Applicants must demonstrate competence in applied linguistics, linguistics or a related field and must have a bachelor's or master’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants who already hold an MA degree from another institution or program are expected to earn the MA degree in our program as well.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
PhD students in UW-Madison English programs receive five or six years of guaranteed funding through a combination of fellowships, assistantships and scholarships. Students also receive tuition remission, a robust healthcare plan and are eligible for professional development/travel funds and other forms of financial support. See our program website for more funding information.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Graduate School’s Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement Policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244 |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.5 GPA required |
| Other Grade Requirements | Grades of BC or lower cannot be used to meet an English Course Requirement. A student who fails to meet the GPA requirement requirement may be reviewed for Satisfactory progress or placed on Departmental Probation. |
| Assessments and Examinations |
|
| Language Requirements | Demonstrate proof of competency in one non-English language by the time of PhD degree completion. Proof of competencies may include, coursework equivalent to third and fourth semesters of study; reading knowledge exam; language of a non-native English speaker, an additional tools/methods course (with advisor approval). Other language competency options may apply with the program area director/advisor approval. Students who earn an MA as part of the PhD degree will be required to have proof of two language competencies prior to dissertator status. |
| Graduate School Breadth Requirement | All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate. Refer to the Graduate School: Breadth Requirement in Doctoral Training policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1200. Students are required to consult with their program faculty advisor. |
Required Courses
Each pathway has specific course requirements. Graduate seminar offerings in English reflect the faculty's current areas of research and therefore change importantly from year to year. Please consult the department website for more detailed information.
Composition and Rhetoric Pathway1
All courses are chosen in consultation with the program's faculty advisor. Courses from outside the below course lists may apply with faculty advisor approval.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Composition Rhetoric Coursework Requirement | ||
| Students must complete 18 credits from the following courses. Typically, one rhetoric-focused course and one composition/literacy focused course are available each semester. | 18 | |
| Introduction to Composition Studies | ||
| Writing and Learning 2 | ||
| Perspectives on Literacy 2 | ||
| Research Methods in Composition Studies 2 | ||
| Intellectual Sources of Contemporary Composition Theory II-Modern | ||
| Special Topics in Composition Theory | ||
| Composition and Critical Theories | ||
| Research Methods/Tool | ||
| Students must complete 6 credits or two courses that focus explicitly on the problems and practice of research. An array of qualitative and quantitative research methods courses is offered in other programs and departments that may satisfy this requirement. | 6 | |
| Writing and Learning | ||
| Research Methods in Composition Studies | ||
| Independent Reading | ||
| Breadth | ||
| Courses are chosen by the student and the minor or graduate/professional certificate advisor in consultation with the student’s program advisor. This requirement is completed prior to obtaining dissertator status. | 9 | |
| Additional Coursework | ||
| To meet the minimum credit requirement, students complete additional coursework, including independent study and/or language or dissertator research credits, in consultation with the faculty advisor. | 3-18 | |
| Pre-Dissertator Preliminary Exam Research (may be taken for the first time in the semester in which students are completing the coursework and research/tool requirements.) | ||
| Dissertation Research in English (Students with dissertator status enroll in 3 credits of ENGL 990 every term, until completion of the degree.) | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | |
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These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
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This course may satisfy the Research Methods/Tools requirement but may not also satisfy the Comprehension Rhetoric requirement. This course may satisfy the Research Methods/Tools requirement but may not also satisfy the Comprehension Rhetoric requirement.
English Language and Linguistics Pathway1
All courses must be approved by the program's faculty advisor. Courses outside of the below course lists may apply with faculty advisor approval. Students will earn an MA degree after the first two years of requirements are satisfied.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Linguistics Coursework | ||
| Students must successfully complete the following courses within the first two years or by start of the fifth semester of program: | ||
| ENGL 314 | Structure of English | 3 |
| ENGL 315 | English Phonology | 3 |
| ENGL 514 | English Syntax | 3 |
| ENGL 516 | English Grammar in Use | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Students complete courses from the "Elective Course Options" course list. Of the 18 elective credits, at least 6 credits must be numbered 700-799 and at least three credits in coursework numbered 900-999. | 18 | |
| Graduate Specialization | ||
| In the third year, students work in an area or areas of specialization and begin to create an ongoing research agenda. Courework must be approved by consultation with the faculty advisor. | 9 | |
| Breadth | ||
| Courses are chosen by the student and the minor or graduate/professional certificate advisor in consultation with the student’s program advisor. This requirement is completed prior to obtaining dissertator status. | 9-12 | |
| Research | ||
| Students complete from the following: | 1-12 | |
| Pre-Dissertator Preliminary Exam Research | ||
| Students with dissertator status complete 3 credits of the following course every term up until degree completion. | ||
| Dissertation Research in English | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Elective Course Options
Electives must be completed in the first two years of study.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Variation in the U.S. | ||
| Second Language Acquisition | ||
| Language, Race, and Identity | ||
| English Words: Grammar, Culture, Mind | ||
| Global Spread of English | ||
| English in Society | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| Topics in English Language and Linguistics | ||
| English Syntax | ||
| English Grammar in Use | ||
| Old English | ||
| Advanced English Phonology | ||
| Research Methods in Applied Linguistics | ||
| Topics in Contemporary English Linguistics | ||
| Advanced Second Language Acquisition | ||
| Seminar-Topics in Applied English Linguistics | ||
| Seminar-The English Language |
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These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Literary Studies Pathway1
All courses are chosen in consultation with the program's faculty advisor. Courses outside of the below course lists may apply with faculty advisor approval. Students may request up to 9 credits of elective graduate courses or graduate seminars from outside the English dept. Courses may not fulfill two separate requirements.
The first 30 credits of coursework and one language requirement will be completed in the first two years or before the start of the fifth semester. Students will earn an MA degree after the first two years of requirements are satisfied.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Literature (pre-1800 and post-1800) | ||
| Students must complete one pre-1800 and one post-1800 literature course in the English Department, numbered 700 or above. | 6 | |
| Pre-1800 Course Options | ||
| Seminar in Early Modern Studies | ||
| Advanced Theatre History 500 BC to 1700 | ||
| Topics in Medieval Literature | ||
| Topics in Early Modern Literature | ||
| Topics in Eighteenth-Century Literature | ||
| Topics in Early American Literature | ||
| Post-1800 Course Options | ||
| Advanced Theatre History 1700 to Present | ||
| Feminist Theory and Criticism | ||
| Topics in Romanticism | ||
| Topics in Victorian Literature and Culture | ||
| Topics in Modernism | ||
| Topics in Nineteenth-Century American Literature and Culture | ||
| Topics in American Literature since 1900 | ||
| World and/or Postcolonial Literature in English | ||
| Topics in Contemporary Literature | ||
| Literary Studies | ||
| Students must complete the following course during the first semester. | ||
| ENGL 800 | Critical Methods in Literary Studies | 3 |
| Composition | ||
| Students must complete one of the following courses. | ||
| ENGL 700 | Introduction to Composition Studies | 3 |
| or ENGL/MEDIEVAL 520 | Old English | |
| Race, Ethnicity and/or Indigeneity | ||
| Students must complete at least 3 credits of a graduate-level course that focuses on topics of race, ethnicity and/or indigenity. | 3 | |
| Elective Graduate Coursework | ||
| Students must complete 15 credits of additional graduate seminars. | 15 | |
| Graduate Specialization Seminars | ||
| Starting in the 3rd year, students work in an area or areas of specialization and begin to create an ongoing research agenda. Students must complete 9 credits of graduate courses or seminars approved by the program advisor. | 9 | |
| Breadth | ||
| Courses are chosen by the student and the minor or graduate/professional certificate advisor in consultation with the student’s program advisor. This requirement is completed prior to obtaining dissertator status. | 9-12 | |
| Research | ||
| Students complete the following: | 3-12 | |
| Pre-Dissertator Preliminary Exam Research (In preparation for preliminary exams, students may enroll in Independent Reading for PhD Prelims in the semester in which they complete the English course requirements.) | ||
| Students with dissertator status complete 3 credits every term until degree completion. | ||
| Dissertation Research in English | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Elective Graduate Course Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 314 | Structure of English | 3 |
| ENGL 315 | English Phonology | 3 |
| ENGL 316 | English Language Variation in the U.S. | 3 |
| ENGL 318 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| ENGL 412 | Bad Grammar and Metalinguistic Awareness | 3 |
| ENGL 413 | English Words: Grammar, Culture, Mind | 3 |
| ENGL 414 | Global Spread of English | 3 |
| ENGL 416 | English in Society | 3 |
| ENGL 417 | History of the English Language | 3 |
| ENGL 420 | Topics in English Language and Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 422 | Outstanding Figure(s) in Literature before 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL/MEDIEVAL 425 | Medieval Romance | 3 |
| ENGL/MEDIEVAL 426 | Chaucers Courtly Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL/ASIAN AM/GEN&WS 463 | Race and Sexuality in American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL/ASIAN AM/GEN&WS 464 | Asian American Women Writers | 3 |
| ENGL/ASIAN 478 | Indian Writers Abroad: Literature, Diaspora and Globalization | 3 |
| ENGL 514 | English Syntax | 3 |
| ENGL 516 | English Grammar in Use | 3 |
| ENGL/MEDIEVAL 520 | Old English | 3 |
| ENGL/MEDIEVAL 521 | Advanced Old English Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 543 | Discourses of Disability, Antiquity to 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL/THEATRE 575 | British Drama, 1914 to Present | 3 |
| ENGL/THEATRE 576 | Survey: Theories of Drama | 3 |
| ENGL/THEATRE 577 | Postcolonial Theatre: Drama, Theory and Performance in the Global South | 3 |
| ENGL/THEATRE 578 | Modern American Drama and Theatre | 3 |
| ENGL 651 | Special Topics in Theatre and Performance Studies Research | 3 |
| ENGL 653 | Applied Theatre | 3 |
| ENGL 654 | Dramaturgy in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ENGL 656 | Theatre of the Avant-Garde, 1850-1950 | 3 |
| ENGL/AFROAMER 672 | Selected Topics in Afro-American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 700 | Introduction to Composition Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 701 | Writing and Learning | 3 |
| ENGL 702 | Perspectives on Literacy | 3 |
| ENGL 703 | Research Methods in Composition Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 705 | Intellectual Sources of Contemporary Composition Theory II-Modern | 3 |
| ENGL 706 | Special Topics in Composition Theory | 3 |
| ENGL 709 | Advanced English Phonology | 3 |
| ENGL 711 | Research Methods in Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 713 | Topics in Contemporary English Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 715 | Advanced Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| ENGL 720 | Seminar in Early Modern Studies | 2 |
| ENGL 722 | Composition and Critical Theories | 3 |
| ENGL/THEATRE 731 | Advanced Theatre History 500 BC to 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL/THEATRE 732 | Advanced Theatre History 1700 to Present | 3 |
| ENGL/GEN&WS 737 | Feminist Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| ENGL 795 | One-credit Seminar | 1 |
| ENGL/MEDIEVAL 803 | Topics in Medieval Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 804 | Topics in Early Modern Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 805 | Topics in Eighteenth-Century Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 806 | Topics in Romanticism | 3 |
| ENGL 807 | Topics in Victorian Literature and Culture | 3 |
| ENGL 808 | Topics in Modernism | 3 |
| ENGL 810 | Topics in Early American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 811 | Topics in Nineteenth-Century American Literature and Culture | 3 |
| ENGL 812 | Topics in American Literature since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 813 | World and/or Postcolonial Literature in English | 3 |
| ENGL 814 | Topics in Contemporary Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 816 | Topics in Ethnic and Multicultural Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 817 | Seminar-American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 820 | Topics in Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 822 | Topics in Literary and Cultural Theory | 3 |
| ENGL 825 | Topics in Literature and the Environment | 3 |
| ENGL 829 | Topics in Migration and Diaspora | 3 |
| ENGL 851 | Advanced Studies In Theatre and Performance Studies Research | 3 |
| ENGL 859 | Seminar-Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies | 2-3 |
| ENGL 879 | Advanced Seminar in Literary Studies | 3 |
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These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Additional Program Requirements
All students must complete the following requirements:
Preliminary Exam and Dissertator Status
Successful completion of all program course requirements, breadth coursework and language requirement to complete the preliminary exam. In preparation for preliminary exams, students may enroll in ENGL 890 Pre-Dissertator Preliminary Exam Research in the semester in which they complete the program course requirements. A student's dissertator status becomes effective the term after the they pass the exam. All students with dissertator status will enroll in exactly three credits of ENGL 990 Dissertation Research in English every required term (spring/fall) to degree completion; three credits is considered full time enrollment.
Dissertation Proposal Conference
Within six months after passing the prelim exam, each student must hold a Dissertation Proposal Conference. This consists of a meeting with the English Department faculty member who has agreed to direct their dissertation and two other faculty members who have agreed to serve on the dissertation committee. An approved dissertation proposal should follow as soon as possible, normally no later than a month after the conference.
Final Defense
A doctoral candidate writes a dissertation, with faculty guidance, representing original scholarly work of a high order and defends the dissertation.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions*
With program director approval, students may transfer up to 6 credits of relevant graduate coursework from other institutions. Coursework earned ten years or more prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison *
With program director's approval, up to 6 credits of relevant graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate student may transfer towards the MA requirements.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison*
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 6 credits of relevant graduate level coursework, numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the “Grad 50%” attribute, taken as a University Special student. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
*Note that students may request to transfer up to 6 credits of prior-coursework in total.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy. Students must meet both Graduate School minimum requirements and program requirements for satisfactory progress and academic expectations. Please see the program handbook for details concerning not meeting academic expectation or satisfactory progress, leading to probation or dismissal.
Advisor / Committee
Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor and Graduate School: Committees (Doctoral/Master’s/MFA) policies.
Credits Per Term Allowed
Students in the English Department’s PhD program are expected to enroll full time.
Students with a fellowship, holding a university appointment % or holding dissertator status may have different credit-loads which equate to full time student status.
Please see the Graduate School’s policy for full time enrollment credit requirements.
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
L&S Policy for Graduate Student Academic Appeals
Graduate students have the right to appeal an academic decision related to an L&S graduate program if the student believes that the decision is inconsistent with published policy.
Academic decisions that may be appealed include:
- Dismissal from the graduate program
- Failure to pass a qualifying or preliminary examination
- Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress
- Academic disciplinary action related to failure to meet professional conduct standards
Issues such as the following cannot be appealed using this process:
- A faculty member declining to serve as a graduate student’s advisor.
- Decisions regarding the student’s disciplinary knowledge, evaluation of the quality of work, or similar judgements. These are the domain of the department faculty.
- Course grades. These can be appealed instead using the L&S Policy for Grade Appeal.
- Incidents of bias or hate, hostile and intimidating behavior, or discrimination (Title IX, Office of Compliance). Direct these to the linked campus offices appropriate for the incident(s).
Appeal Process for Graduate Students
A graduate student wishing to appeal an academic decision must follow the process in the order listed below. Note time limits within each step.
- The student should first seek informal resolution, if possible, by discussing the concern with their academic advisor, the department’s Director of Graduate Studies, and/or the department chair.
- If the program has an appeal policy listed in their graduate program handbook, the student should follow the policy as written, including adhering to any indicated deadlines. In the absence of a specific departmental process, the chair or designee will be the reviewer and decision maker, and the student should submit a written appeal to the chair within 15 business days of the academic decision. The chair or designee will notify the student in writing of their decision.
- If the departmental process upholds the original decision, the graduate student may next initiate an appeal to L&S. To do so, the student must submit a written appeal to the L&S Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs within 15 business days of notification of the department’s decision.
- To the fullest extent possible, the written appeal should include, in a single document: a clear and concise statement of the academic decision being appealed, any relevant background on what led to the decision, the specific policies involved, the relief sought, any relevant documentation related to the departmental appeal, and the names and titles of any individuals contributing to or involved in the decision.
- The Assistant Dean will work with the Academic Associate Dean of the appropriate division to consider the appeal. They may seek additional information and/or meetings related to the case.
- The Assistant Dean and Academic Associate Dean will provide a written decision within 20 business days.
- If L&S upholds the original decision, the graduate student may appeal to the Graduate School. More information can be found on their website: Grievances and Appeals (see: Graduate School Appeal Process).
Other
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Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within the field of study.
- Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge within the field of study demonstrating breadth as well as depth.
- Conducts research according to recognized standards in the field and crafts persuasive and original arguments that make a substantive contribution to the field.
- Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner that advances and articulates the value of contributions of the field of study to society
- Demonstrates knowledge and practice of pedagogy consistent with discipline and with field of study
- Fosters ethical and professional conduct.