Doctor of Philosophy in Slavic Languages and Literatures
Program Overview
The PhD in Slavic Languages & Literatures at KU builds on MA knowledge, offering advanced pedagogical and interpretive strategies, language skill development, and independent study. Students develop a minor in a related field and complete a dissertation, demonstrating their research abilities. The program provides funding opportunities and study abroad programs, preparing graduates for academic or professional careers in Slavic studies.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Slavic Languages & Literatures builds further on the foundational knowledge and the structured classroom learning that students engaged in during M.A. work. Working under the close mentorship of their advisors, Ph.D. students develop a minor in a related field, learn advanced pedagogical and interpretive strategies, continue to improve language skills, and engage in self-motivated, independent study to develop an area of specialization.
Assessment:
- Qualifying Examination: All students must take the qualifying examination to be admitted to Ph.D. work. For KU students, the M.A. examination serves as the qualifying examination. Students who hold the M.A. degree from another institution but begin Ph.D. work at KU are required to take the qualifying examination within 2 semesters of entry into the program.
- Research Skills & Responsible Scholarship Requirement: The university requires that every doctoral student have training in responsible scholarship and research skills pertinent to the field of research and appropriate to the doctoral level. This requirement must be met before taking the comprehensive oral exam. Graduate students in Slavic Languages and Literatures must demonstrate (through course work or examination) reading competence in a western European language, preferably French or German. The student must also take part in all required graduate colloquia. The professional Ph.D. portfolio includes the dissertation prospectus as well as other materials that document the student’s command of major and minor fields, ability to undertake research, and the skills necessary to traverse the profession independently.
- Dissertation Defense: Students will write, defend and submit an appropriate dissertation: this demonstrates the student’s ability to undertake, plan, and complete a sustained piece of original research. At the time of the comprehensive exam, the student should have a dissertation proposal ready to present to the graduate faculty of the department. The dissertation defense and the approved electronic submission of the dissertation is the final requirement of the program. SLL evaluates the dissertation according to a specific SLL Doctoral Learner Outcomes Rubric through the Office of Graduate Studies. Students should become familiar with this rubric and the stated expectations before they begin to write.
Careers:
While most KU Ph.D. students find positions as academics, some choose to pursue professional positions in academic support, digital humanities, research, and government service.
Other:
- Areas of Concentration:
- Russian Literature
- Slavic Linguistics
- Departmental Funding: The department does its best to provide funding in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) appointments to all incoming graduate students. GTA appointments are awarded for the academic year; .50 full-time equivalent (FTE) appointments come with:
- a competitive academic year (9 month) salary
- a 100% tuition waiver for all courses at KU
- payment of up to 3 hours of campus fees
- optional University-subsidized group health insurance
- Additional Funding: There are also university fellowships for truly outstanding students. Visit the Graduate Studies website for information about funding opportunities for KU graduate students.
- Study Abroad: The department offers a semester study abroad program at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia, and in conjunction with the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, conducts summer institutes at universities in L’viv, Ukraine (for Ukrainian)
