Program Overview
This doctoral program in English offers a comprehensive curriculum with flexible scheduling, including modules in British and American literature. Students engage in a doctoral exam and dissertation, while also receiving extensive teaching training through fellowships and workshops. Graduates pursue careers in academia and beyond, including roles in education, research, and writing.
Program Outline
Outline:
- Course Schedule: Students must take 27 credit hours of coursework beyond the M.A. degree, excluding dissertation credits. Students will take 27 credits (10 courses, including two 1-2 credit courses) which will allow for flexible scheduling of courses.
- Individual Modules:
- British Literature prior to 1800
- British Literature after 1800
- American Literature prior to 1900
- American Literature after 1900
Assessment:
- Doctoral Exam: The doctoral exam in English is a comprehensive exam with two major stages: a field exam and a specialized project.
- Field Exam: Designed to give students a broad and comprehensive knowledge of a literary historical period.
- Specialized Project: Allows students to immerse themselves in a topic of interest related to their field of study.
- Dissertation: A book-length project that makes an original contribution to a field of scholarship. Can be interpretive, critical, or historical.
Teaching:
- Teaching Fellowships: Students may hold a teaching fellowship for four years, providing students make satisfactory progress in the program.
- Training for Teachers:
- Center for Teaching Excellence: Offers a three-day workshop to all new teaching fellows, covering advice for teachers and resources.
- Director and Assistant Director of Freshman English: Offer a workshop specifically designed for English teaching fellows.
- Course on Teaching College Writing: Required for all first-year fellows.
- Co-Teaching: New fellows with little or no teaching experience will spend their first semester co-teaching a first-year writing class with a more experienced teacher/mentor.
- Teaching Workshops: Held during the academic year, led by English faculty or teaching fellows.
- Writing Center: Director and assistant director offer an orientation session and professional development meetings throughout the academic year.
Careers:
In the Professoriate:
- Ball State University
- Oberlin College
- Roger Williams University
- University of Maryland
- Stonehill College
- Geneva College
- Central Penn College
- Spring Hill College
- Penn State Altoona
- Rocky Mountain College
- College Misericordia
- Southeastern University
- Slippery Rock University
- Fairmont State University
Beyond the Professoriate:
- Assistant Director of Online Learning, Duquesne University
- Research Facilitator, Fanshaw College
- Legal Writer, Fragomen Associates
- Assistant Director of Institutional Giving, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
- Instructional Designer, University of Pittsburgh
Duquesne University
Overview:
Duquesne University is a Catholic university with a Spiritan tradition, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It boasts a national reputation for academic excellence and has been recognized as a "first-tier university," "top 100 undergraduate school," and "Most Popular." The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across ten schools of study.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
Duquesne University is situated in the heart of Pittsburgh, a city known for its diverse neighborhoods and vibrant atmosphere. Students have access to Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, startups, and three major league sports teams, all within a short distance from campus.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Academic Excellence:
Duquesne University is renowned for its high-quality academic programs and its commitment to innovation.Real-World Experience:
The university's location in Pittsburgh provides students with numerous opportunities for real-world experience through fieldwork, clinicals, research projects, and internships.Strong Alumni Network:
Duquesne University has a strong alumni network that provides support and connections for students and graduates.Vibrant Campus Life:
The university offers a vibrant campus life with a variety of student organizations, clubs, and events.Academic Programs:
Undergraduate Majors:
Duquesne University offers over 85 undergraduate majors leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.Graduate Programs:
The university offers over 110 graduate and certificate programs designed to enhance professional skills and knowledge.Other:
- Duquesne University is an R2 institution, which means it is a high-research activity university.
- The university is ranked #3 in the Northeast for R2 institutions producing the most high-earning female alumni under 40 in the U.S.
- Duquesne University is committed to providing students with a strong foundation in ethics and service.
- The university has a strong focus on experiential learning and preparing students for successful careers.
