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Overview
Ph.D. Program in English
Emphasis in Creative Non-Fiction
Emphasis in Critical Theory
Emphasis in Feminist Studies
Emphasis in Asian American Studies
Emphasis in Visual Studies
Graduate Study in Rhetoric
Current Fee and Tuition Schedule
Financial Support and Fellowships
Graduate Student Housing
Teaching Assistantships
Job Placement
Admission Guidelines
Application Process
Application FAQ
The graduate programs of the Department of English offer students a challenging and supportive environment in which to work towards either a Ph.D. in English and American Literature or an M.F.A. in Creative Writing in Poetry or Fiction. Our Ph.D. program in English is especially noted for its strength in Literary History, Critical Theory and Cultural Studies, and the M.F.A. Programs in Writing are among the most highly rated in the country. We pride ourselves on a unique spirit of professional training that combines intellectually rigorous seminars and strong support of individual research with vigorous encouragement of collaborative projects.
The English Ph.D. Program addresses all aspects of the literatures in English throughout the world. The interests of its faculty span the full historical range of these literatures and bring into special focus the history of criticism and literary theory. We also seek to study the historical relationship of theoretical, literary and cultural practices. We have designed our Ph.D. programs to be as flexible as possible, in order to allow students to customize their course work and their Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations to fit their own intellectual interests. As a result we have very few fixed requirements in order to allow each student’s course of study to be shaped in close consultation with faculty mentors. Students are encouraged to take seminars in other programs to gain experience of various forms of critical theory and its history. By the same token, M.F.A. students in fiction and poetry supplement their graduate writers' workshops by enrolling in courses in literature and criticism.
For an Introduction to Graduate Education at the University of California, read through the "Continue The Journey" brochure.
Students may enter the graduate program in English with either a B.A. or an M.A. degree. Fifteen courses are required for the Ph.D. After completing nine courses and the major language requirement, students take their M.A. examination, which consists of extensive academic advising and an evaluation of a seminar paper. Students proceed to the Ph.D. by taking an additional six seminars, satisfying the second language requirement, and choosing a four-person examination committee for their qualifying examination. The qualifying examination tests students on works listed under three different categories: a primary field, which should be the student’s field of professional specialization; a secondary field that complements or supplements the primary field; and theory and/or criticism. The examination itself consists of written and oral parts. After advancing to candidacy following successful completion of the Ph.D. qualifying examination, students write a dissertation under the supervision of a three-person dissertation committee, which they select.
To view more information about the Ph.D. Program in the Department of English, go to the Graduate Program section of the current UCI General Catalogue.
Students admitted to the emphasis in Creative Non-Fiction must meet
all course, language, and examination requirements for the Ph.D.
in English. Their course work must include: a) three writing workshops
in non-fiction; b) three courses in non-fictional literature and
rhetoric; and c) if needed for the projected dissertation, one course
outside the Department. Students must also conduct a dissertation
defense. (N.B. Students interested in this emphasis should consider
applying for the Schaeffer Fellowship
in Creative Non-Fiction. In light of budget cuts, Schaeffer Fellowships will not be made available for the 2010-2011 year.)
Critical Theory at UCI is understood in the broad sense as the study of the shared assumptions, problems, and commitments of the various discourses in the humanities. An emphasis in Critical Theory is available for doctoral students in all departments within the School of Humanities. Students choosing to complete this emphasis do so in addition to the regular degree requirements for the Ph.D. degree in English. Drawing upon faculty from the Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences, the CTE also invites nationally and internationally recognized scholars to conduct seminars and mini-seminars. Visiting professors have included Slavoj Zizek, Giorgio Agamben, Judith Butler, David Lloyd, John Frow, N. Katherine Hayles, Iain Chambers, Page duBois, Barbara Johnson, Fredric Jameson, Elizabeth Grosz, Etienne Balibar and David Palumbo-Liu. More information can be found here.
The Department of Women's Studies offers an emphasis in Feminist Studies, which is available in conjunction with the Ph.D. in English, as well as the M.F.A. It emphasizes interdisciplinary, multicultural scholarship and includes course work in feminist theories, the cultural roles of women, women's socioeconomic condition, women's history, women's literature in a cross-cultural frame, women's images in fine arts and film, women of color, and lesbian and gay studies.
A Graduate Emphasis in Asian American Studies is offered in conjunction with the Departments of Anthropology, Art History, East Asian Language and Literature, English and Comparative Literature, Environmental Analysis and Design, History, Politics and Society, Psychology and Social Behavior, Sociology, and Studio Art. Coursework for the Graduate Emphasis in Asian American Studies consists of four courses: two required and two elective. The required courses, Asian American Studies 200A (Theoretical and Methodological issues in Asian American Studies) and Asian American Studies 200B (Contemporary Issues in Asian American Studies). For more information, click here.
The program in Visual Studies offers an emphasis in Visual Studies, which is available to Ph.D. and MFA students in all departments at UCI. Course work for the emphasis consists of four courses: Visual Studies 291 and 3 additional elective Visual Studies seminars. For more information, click here.
The Departments of English and Comparative Literature invite applications for their Ph.D. programs from students interested in combining study of literature
and theory with an emphasis in rhetoric. Students with a background in a language other than English and an interest in comparative studies of literatures
and theories along with rhetorics should apply to the program in Comparative Literature, which offers a track in Cultural Rhetoric. Students who would
like to merge a study of rhetoric with readings in British or American literature may apply for Ph.D. work in English. Students interested in rhetoric and
composition have also benefited from connections with UCI’s interdisciplinary programs such as Women’s Studies, African American Studies, Asian American Studies, as well as the department of Film and Media Studies. Courses in the Critical Theory Emphasis often feature rhetorical perspectives. For more information, click here.
To help you plan your budget for graduate study at UCI, please review the current Graduate Student Fees.
The Department is strongly committed to providing financial support to both incoming and continuing graduate students in the form of fellowships and graduate teaching assistantships. In recent years, the Department has been successful in admitting first year students on full or partial fellowships, and/or teaching assistantships. A number of generous fellowships, combined with multiple-year teaching assistant packages, are available to first year students. These fellowships cover in-state fees and in many cases non-resident tuition, and health insurance.
- The Murray Krieger Fellowship in Literary Theory is intended for an outstanding entering graduate student who is pursuing the Ph.D. in English or Comparative Literature and who demonstrates a primary interest in theory as theory relates to literary texts.
- The Graduate First Year Fellowship is awarded annually to an outstanding first-year student.
- The Schaeffer Fellowship in Creative Non-Fiction is a very generous fellowship selected by a faculty review committee. If you wish to be considered for the fellowship in Creative Non-Fiction please click here for more information on what materials you will need to supply with your application.
In light of budget cuts, Schaeffer Fellowships will not be made available for the 2010-2011 year.
- The UCI Chancellor's Fellowships is a campus-wide award. Recipients are in the top 5% of admitted applicants.
- The Humanities Pre-Doctoral Fellowship is a two-year fellowship, providing support for the first year in addition to a three-quarter dissertation fellowship after a student has passed the qualifying examinations and is officially ABD.
- The Regents' Fellowships are awarded to outstanding first-year students.
The Diversity Program awards fellowships to both new and continuing students who can demonstrate that they have overcome socioeconomic and educational limitations. Diversity Fellowships for entering students cover in-state fees, health insurance and are accompanied by multiple-year teaching assistant packages from the Department of English. There are two programs targeted specifically at entering graduate students:
- A campus-wide competitive award, the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship provides support for two years of enrollment in the program.
- The campus-wide Graduate Opportunity Fellowship is designed to foster graduate study by facilitating the academic career development of students who have experienced educational disadvantage in their prior schooling.
For more information on the Diversity fellowships available at UCI, please click here.
If you think you might qualify for one of these fellowships please make sure you complete the "Personal History" section of the online graduate application, and indicate your interest there.
In addition to fellowships provided by UCI, a number of first-year students have entered the program with fellowships, including the Mellon, Javits, Pew and others from outside sources. The University provides generous support for advanced students through various fellowships and research grants, including the Regents’ Dissertation Fellowship, the Strauss Fellowship, the Humanities Alumni Fund Dissertation Fellowship, and Summer Dissertation Fellowships. Recent dissertation students have received Fulbright, Newcomb, and other fellowships.
UCI guarantees an offer of on-campus housing to every newly-admitted, full-time Ph.D. and MFA student. Ph.D. students will be guaranteed housing for a term of one year less than normative time to degree for the program. More information can be found here. For general information about graduate student housing, including application information, photos, floorplans, and a guide to off-campus housing, please click here.
The Department endeavors to provide teaching assistantship support for up to fifteen quarters. In 2009-2010 teaching assistants will earn $5,545.66 per quarter ($16,636.98 for the full year) for one course per quarter. In addition to the stipend, teaching assistants receive payment of partial in-state fees and health insurance. The campus-wide limit for such teaching awards is four years (twelve quarters) prior to the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. Support after the examination is available. Annual renewal of an appointment is contingent upon satisfactory teaching performance, a good academic record, and funding. The faculty considers teaching experience to be an essential part of the graduate student's education toward the advanced degree.
To see how UCI Ph.D.s have performed on the job market in recent years, click here.
Admission to the Ph.D. Program in English is determined by careful review of the applicants’ prior academic performance, writing sample, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and foreign language competency statement. Both the GRE general test and subject test are required for admission to the Ph.D. in English. Approximately, twelve to fifteen students are accepted to the English doctoral program. Admission is for the Fall Quarter only, and the application deadline is December 15 for the following fall.
Since admissions to the graduate programs is competitive, it is recommended that prospective applicants consider carefully the following information:
Writing Sample: One of the most important components of an application is the writing sample. This should be a critically oriented piece that illustrates an applicant's ability to do scholarly research and interpret literary texts. Although it is not required, it is helpful if the writing sample is relevant to your proposed field of study. Only one writing sample should be submitted (i.e. one single essay; not several shorter pieces), and it should not exceed 20 pages. Please note: the Writing Sample and the Statement of Purpose (part of the university's on-line electronic application) are two separate essays, and both are required for the Ph.D. application. The Statement of Purpose is generally 1-2 pages, and is more of an academic statement.
GRE Scores: While there is no fixed cut-off for the GRE scores, a reasonable recommendation is a minimum score of 680 on the GRE Verbal Test. Analytical and Quantitative Test Scores are also taken into consideration. In addition, English Ph.D. applicants are required to take the Literature in English Test, and a minimum score of 650 is recommended. To send an official GRE test score to UCI, please select institution code R4859.
Grades: A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.50 in the last two years of undergraduate study is recommended to be competitive.
Prospective International Applicants: All prospective international applicants should be aware of additional University-wide admissions requirements. An applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident and whose primary language is not English must submit an official TOEFL score with a minimum of 550 on the paper examination which is the equivalent to a score of 213 on the computer-based exam. Applicants should also be prepared to document at the time of application sufficient funds to cover all fees, non-resident tuition, living expenses, and transportation. Currently the required amount for single students for one year of academic study is $37,755 (this is subject to change).
As a state university, it has been difficult for us in recent years to support international students who are on F-1 and J-1 visas since they cannot establish California residency, and must pay substantial tuition and living costs for all of the time that they are enrolled in the Ph.D. Program. Teaching Assistantships and fellowships are limited and provide only partial funding. The current stipend is approximately $16,636.98 per year for those teaching one course each term plus a partial fee offset.) For these reasons, we usually are unable to support foreign nationals who do not have independent funding for the duration of their course of study (such as a Fulbright Fellowship, a governmental fellowship from their home country or private funding).
To send an official TOEFL test score to UCI, please select institution code R4859.
Applicants should use the university's electronic application process. (It is essential that applicants also complete the department's Statement on Foreign Language Competence. All supporting documents must be submitted in hardcopy form to the department by the December 15th deadline.)
Ph.D. Programs Application Checklist:
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The electronic application.
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A $70 (for U.S. Citizens and lawful U.S. Permanent Residents) or $90 (for all other applicants) non-refundable application fee is required for each University of California campus to which an applicant applies. Applicants applying electronically may use a Visa or MasterCard to pay the $70.00 application fee.
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One official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate
institution previously attended (may be sent directly to the department
from the Registrar's Office in a sealed envelope or included in a sealed
envelope with your application.
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Official GRE General Test scores and Advanced Literature
Test score.
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Three letters of recommendation.
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Completed
Statement on Foreign Language Competence (submit in paper form only).
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A single paper or essay on a literary subject of not more than 20 pages (submit in paper form
only).
- If you are applying for the Schaeffer
Fellowship Program in Creative Non-Fiction, click here
for a description of additional required materials.
APPLICATION DEADLINES (no exceptions):
Postmarks are accepted
Applicants to the Ph.D. in English should address all materials to:
Ph.D. Graduate Program Administrator
Department of English-UC Irvine
435 Humanities Instructional Building
Irvine, CA 92697-2650
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