Steps to Graduate

First Fall Semester

Students meet with the Department's Director of Graduate Studies to plan coursework to be completed during the academic year.

First Spring semester:

In January, students meet with members of the TPPC Exams Committee to participate in workshop activities to prepare for the Qualifying Exam. The Qualifying Exam workshop will cover exam components and the timeline for completion. The Exams Committee will determine the schedule of these meetings.

In April, students complete their Qualifying Exam Portfolio and meet with the Exams Committee. Before meeting with the committee, first-year TPPC students must complete the first-year annual review/progress report form and submit it to the committee. The Exams Committee will determine the schedule of these meetings.

By the end of the semester, students form their Supervisory Committee and file the Supervisory Committee form with the School of Graduate Studies. The form should list all five committee members if possible, but it must list at least the four committee members from inside the department.

Second Fall semester:

During the semester, students complete their Program of Study Worksheet and submit it to their major professor for approval.

By the end of the semester, students complete their Program of Study form with the School of Graduate Studies, listing all the courses that will count towards their degree. The form should be signed by all five committee members if possible, but at least by the four committee members from inside the department.

Second Spring semester:

By February 15, students who previously filed a Supervisory Committee form without their fifth committee member (from outside the department) must file a revised Supervisory Committee Form with the Graduate School, listing all five committee members. This revised form need only be initialed by the fifth member and signed by the department head.

By February 15, students who previously filed a Program of Study form signed by only the four English Department committee members must submit an updated Program of Study form to the School of Graduate Studies. The updated form (labeled as such) must be signed by all five committee members, the student, and the department head. (Students are advised to work with the English Department's Director of Graduate Studies to complete this paperwork accurately.)

By April 1, students must submit a second-year annual review/progress report to their Supervisory Committee.

By April 21, students must submit their proposed reading list to their Supervisory Committee Chair. Students must then work with their Supervisory Committee to secure written approval of their list before the end of the Spring semester.

Third Spring semester:

By April 1, students must submit a third-year annual review/progress report to their Supervisory Committee.

Fourth Spring semester:

By April 1, students must submit a fourth-year annual review/progress report to their Supervisory Committee.

In semester when coursework will be completed:

By the end of the semester when coursework (all required credits other than Dissertation Research [ENGL 7970] and Continuing Graduate Advisement [ENGL 7990]) is complete, students must notify the English Department's Director of Graduate Studies of any changes that have been made to their Program of Study.

Students must complete their Comprehensive Exam in this semester or in the semester immediately following this semester. The Exams Committee will determine the specific date Comprehensive Exams will be offered in a given semester.

In semester following successful completion of Comprehensive Exam:

By April 21, students must submit their proposed reading list to their Supervisory Committee Chair. Students must then work with their Supervisory Committee to secure written approval of their list before the end of the Spring semester.

By the end of the semester, students must meet with the Supervisory Committee and secure the committee’s approval of the Dissertation Proposal.

In semester when dissertation will be defended:

The date and time for the oral defense of the dissertation must be scheduled with the School of Graduate Studies at least 10 working days before the defense.