The doctoral program at Illinois State University began in 1977 as a Doctor of Arts degree with a particular focus on the teaching of English. In 1997 the name of the degree was changed to a Ph.D. in English Studies to reflect the scholarly nature of the degree, but the requirements have remained effectively the same.

Placement of our doctoral graduates in full-time positions has been consistently over 90% during the past fifteen years. Most of our doctoral graduates teach full-time in four year colleges and universities, while some hold positions in community colleges and secondary schools. Graduates enjoy such success because of our program's longstanding and thorough commitment to preparing college and university teachers with a broad background in all facets of English Studies to complement their areas of specialization.

Each year, we admit approximately ten to twelve new students to the doctoral program. Most of these are admitted with full-time status and are supported by graduate assistantships. Our enrollment in this program is about fifty students, and we award approximately six to eight degrees a year. Students who plan their coursework carefully can complete the required classes in 24 months. Students then generally spend another two years completing their internships, comprehensive examination, and dissertation. Graduate assistantships are guaranteed to those who are awarded them for four years.

Dissertations in our Ph.D. program connect research with pedagogy. Recent dissertations have been in technical writing, creative writing pedagogy, children's literature, developmental and advanced composition, literature, business writing, ESL, and the management of writing and learning centers.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

1. At least 13 courses and a teaching internship distributed as follows:

4 required Ph.D. core seminars in linguistics, literature, writing, and pedagogy
4 courses in the student's area of specialization
2 courses in theory or research methods related to the student's specialization
3 electives
A teaching internship (591), which is the capstone of the program.

2. Written comprehensive exams in three areas: English studies; research specialization; pedagogy and professional studies.

3. A dissertation of original scholarship in English Studies. Dissertations combine theory and practice to a wide range of pedagogical topics.

Core Seminars (Required)

ENG 510, Professional Seminar in the Teaching of English
ENG 540, Seminar in Language
ENG 560, Seminar in Selected Areas in Literature
ENG 590, Seminar in Composition