{"id":11731,"date":"2023-02-06T15:28:57","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T21:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/?page_id=11731"},"modified":"2025-11-28T10:37:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T16:37:17","slug":"doctoral-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/students\/graduate\/doctoral-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctoral Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"lead-in\">Thank you for your interest in the Doctoral program in English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-phd-program\">PhD Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The PhD program involves course work, proficiency in a second language, a preliminary examination, a dissertation, and a final defense. Students entering the PhD program must have an MA or equivalent degree by the time of enrollment. Students who did not receive their MA or equivalent degree from 51ÁÔÆæ must pass an Academic Review. Students must pass their preliminary examination&nbsp;<strong>within five years<\/strong>&nbsp;from the date of initial enrollment in the doctoral program and must complete&nbsp;<strong>all<\/strong>&nbsp;degree requirements&nbsp;<strong>within a total of ten years<\/strong>&nbsp;in the doctoral program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can explore the requirements for the program and each plan in the <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwdev.uwm.edu\/english\/academics\/english-phd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">academics section<\/a> of this website. Doctoral students in English can choose to focus on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Literature and Cultural Theory <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public Rhetorics and Community Engagement <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creative Writing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-application\">Application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our application opens each year in September or October for entry the following Fall. The deadline to apply to both our our MA and PhD programs is December 15.  We do not accept students to start in the spring semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Applications are submitted to the 51ÁÔÆæ Graduate School using the <a href=\"https:\/\/graduateschool-apply.uwm.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.SearchResults&amp;Program_Name=&amp;Program_Type_ID=8&amp;pi=%7F&amp;pc=%7F&amp;pr=%7F&amp;pt=%7F&amp;Partner_ID=ANY&amp;p_10005=%7F&amp;p_10005_t=DATLK&amp;p_10006=ENGLISHMA%7F&amp;p_10006=ENGLISHPHD%7F&amp;p_10006_t=DATLK&amp;p_10008=%7F&amp;p_10008_t=SELCT&amp;p_10009=%7F&amp;p_10009_t=SELCT&amp;p_10010=%7F&amp;p_10010_t=DATLK&amp;Sort=Program_Name&amp;Order=asc&amp;pp=10005%2C10006%2C10008%2C10009%2C10010\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Panthera<\/a> application system. Please see our <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwdev.uwm.edu\/english\/students\/graduate\/how-to-apply-to-a-graduate-program-in-english\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Apply<\/a> page for more information, and the Graduate School\u2019s Admission page for <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/graduateschool\/students\/admission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">minimum qualifications<\/a>. International applicants should also refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/cie\/international-admissions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center for International Education<\/a> admission guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-funding\">Funding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>English graduate students typically fund their education from a variety of sources. Some partial support is available in the form of fellowships or awards given by the 51ÁÔÆæ Graduate School or by the Department of English. Some students receive teaching assistantships. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwdev.uwm.edu\/english\/students\/graduate\/financial-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Financial Support<\/a> page for more details.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have further questions not covered on our website, please feel free to contact our Graduate Studies Program Associate at <a href=\"mailto:gradeng@uwm.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gradeng@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-general-questions\">General Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion uwm-p-accordion--icon-left-circle\" data-accordion-prefix-classes=\"uwm\" data-accordion-cool-selectors=\"1\"><button class=\"uwm-p-accordion--toggle-button size-p-md\">Expand All<\/button>\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Do I need to send my GRE score in my application OR Do I need to take the GRE to be considered for admission into this program?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The English Department does not require the GRE for any of the Graduate programs offered.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Does the program offer an online option\/an online degree?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The English Department does not currently offer graduate degrees that are online only.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">I&#8217;m looking to see what courses are offered in the English Department. Where can I find this?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Please visit the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.uwm.edu\/courses\/english\/\">Course Catalog<\/a>&nbsp;page to see which courses are offered by the English Department. Not all courses are offered each semester. The description of each course will indicate when it was last taught.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\"><strong>Can I take classes without being in a degree program?<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Students can apply to be Non-Degree Candidates (NDC). NDC students can start in spring or fall. They should contact the instructors of classes they are interested in before applying, to make sure there is room in the class and that NDC students are welcome in the class. More information and a link to apply are available on the <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/graduateschool\/non-degree-admission\/\">Graduate School website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\"><strong>How long does the PhD take?<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The PhD typically takes five to seven years.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-admissions\">Admissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion uwm-p-accordion--icon-left-circle\" data-accordion-prefix-classes=\"uwm\" data-accordion-cool-selectors=\"1\"><button class=\"uwm-p-accordion--toggle-button size-p-md\">Expand All<\/button>\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">When are admissions decisions made?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Admissions decisions to the English program are made in mid-February.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-commonly-asked-application-questions\">Commonly Asked Application Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion uwm-p-accordion--icon-left-circle\" data-accordion-prefix-classes=\"uwm\" data-accordion-cool-selectors=\"1\"><button class=\"uwm-p-accordion--toggle-button size-p-md\">Expand All<\/button>\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Does the English Department accept PhD applications for the spring semester?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The English Department only accepts applications for Fall semesters. Admissions are done once a year.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\"><strong><strong>What is the English proficiency requirement? What tests are accepted and what are the minimum scores?<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The English proficiency requirement for international admissions can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/cie\/international-admissions\/graduate-application\/english-proficiency-requirement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center for International Education website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">My recommenders can&#8217;t upload their letters of recommendation -OR- I can&#8217;t input my recommenders information.<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Please email the Graduate Studies Program Office at <a href=\"mailto:gradeng@uwm.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gradeng@uwm.edu<\/a> for further assistance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">When is the application deadline?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The deadline to complete the application is December 15th.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">My Masters degree is not in English, can I still apply?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The English program has a variety of students with masters degrees that are not in English.  We welcome students with a master&#8217;s degree and students with a master&#8217;s degree in another field of study to apply.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Should I upload unofficial transcripts to my application or send official transcripts to the program?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The online application system that applicants use,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/graduateschool-apply.uwm.edu\/\">Panthera<\/a>, requires unofficial transcripts only. Official transcripts are only required after an applicant accepts admission.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">I cannot obtain unofficial transcripts to upload to my application, only official ones. What should I do next?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Applicants should order official transcripts and scan a copy to upload to the application system, <a href=\"https:\/\/graduateschool-apply.uwm.edu\/\">Panthera<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about the program, including requirements, visit its academic page at the link below.<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"uwm-p-programs uwm-p-posts uwm-c-list--cleanlist uwm-c-list--border\">                             <li>\n                                            <figure class=\"post-image\">\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/109\/2024\/03\/Doctoral_hero_1500x400_556523381-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"graduates with caps and gowns\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/109\/2024\/03\/Doctoral_hero_1500x400_556523381-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/109\/2024\/03\/Doctoral_hero_1500x400_556523381-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/109\/2024\/03\/Doctoral_hero_1500x400_556523381-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>                        <\/figure>\n                                         <div class=\"post-content\">\n                        <a class=\"post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/academics\/english-phd\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">English, PhD<\/a>                        \n                                                    <div class=\"post-subtitle\">\n                                Doctoral<span class=\"uwm-p-card--subtitle-detail\">On Campus<\/span>                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/li>\n                <\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thank you for your interest in the Doctoral program in English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee! PhD Program The PhD program involves course work, proficiency in a second language, a preliminary examination, a dissertation, and a final defense. Students entering &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1272,"featured_media":0,"parent":11456,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"class_list":["post-11731","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>English<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english\/students\/graduate\/doctoral-program\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Doctoral Program\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Thank you for your interest in the Doctoral program in English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee! 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