Ph.D. in English sample timeline

First year

Fall

• Read degree requirements (general and program-specific) on English website and Graduate School website
• Read the Graduate Student Survival Handbook on the Graduate School website
• Meet with Director of Graduate Studies in English in the early weeks of the semester
• Meet twice with appointed faculty mentor
• Plan approach to fulfill the requirements for your degree (including language requirements)
• Submit transfer credit evaluation form to Director of Graduate Studies
• Meet and talk with faculty members who share your interests

Spring

• Check progress toward degree requirements, including foreign languages
• Start thinking about who you might want to chair your committee and about fields for your exams
• Consider applying for internships, or volunteer work that gives professional experience
• Consider attending a professional conference and/or joining a few professional organizations

Summer

• Consider doing a summer internship, field institute, or volunteer work
• Consider and begin to research possible scholarly focus areas
• Continue language classes if requirements not met

Second year

Fall

• Choose a committee chair and in consultation with chair, form rest of your committee
• Check progress toward degree requirements, including foreign language requirements
• Submit program of study form to Director of Graduate Studies
• Discuss comprehensive exams with your chair and begin planning your approach
• Become more professionally involved (memberships, internships, conferences, etc.)

Spring

• Complete coursework and any outstanding requirements (foreign language, etc.)
• In consultation with chair, complete reading list for exams

Summer

• Continue preparing for comprehensive exams
• Consider doing a summer internship, field institute, or volunteer work
• Become more professionally active (presenting work, publishing book reviews, etc.)

Third year

• Complete any outstanding coursework or requirements (foreign language, etc.)
• Complete comprehensive exams this year
• When comprehensive exams are passed, submit admission to candidacy form to Graduate School
• In consultation with chair, begin to determine dissertation topic
• Draft a dissertation prospectus
• Talk with your chair about the following issues:
  • Presenting papers at conferences and making professional connections
  • Sending out an essay or two for publication
  • Applying for grants and fellowships
• Attend department academic job placement workshop
• After you have completed comprehensive exams, consider diversifying teaching

Fourth year

• Get dissertation prospectus approved by committee if you haven't already done so
• Determine dissertation completion timeline with your chair
• Consider sending out modified dissertation chapters for publication
• Continue presenting papers at conferences and making professional connections
• Attend department academic job placement workshop
• Familiarize yourself with the job market and application procedures
• Draft strong C.V., cover letter, writing sample(s), statement of teaching philosophy
• Continue to diversify teaching experiences
• Consider applying for research and/or dissertation fellowships
• Consider attending the MLA (and/or CCCC) conference

Fifth year

• Complete your dissertation
• Defend your dissertation
• Participate in department academic job placement workshop
• Revise C.V., cover letter, writing sample(s), statement of teaching philosophy
• Establish a dossier and solicit letters of recommendation
• Go on the job market
• Continue to diversify teaching experiences
• Plan to attend the MLA (and/or CCCC) conference for job interviews
• Continue applying for jobs through spring
• Submit application for graduation to Graduate School early
• Submit dissertation to Graduate School

Note: A teaching assistantship in the Ph.D. program may be held for a maximum of five years. The Ph.D. degree must be completed within eight years. This timeline represents a general model for your progress toward the degree. The key is to be aware of what you're doing, keep medium and long-range goals in mind and consult frequently with your mentor/chair.