English Department - Graduate Brochure

Florida State University

The Florida State University is a senior member of the ten state universities that comprise the State University System of Florida. It has a total enrollment of about 37,000 students and of these, 18% are graduate students. In 1994, Florida State was accorded the status of Research University I by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, an elite distinction that recognizes the university's strengths in doctoral programs.

Tallahassee

Tallahassee, Florida's capital, is an expanding metropolitan center with a population of about 200, 000, yet it still holds many of the charms of a smaller university town. With its weekly poetry and fiction readings in local venues and its many cinemas, small theatres, museums, and musical events, it offers a particularly rich environment for those who care about literature and the arts.

The Graduate Program in English

The Graduate Program in English offers a comprehensive and intellectually stimulating program for those who wish to be literary scholars, creative writers or scholars/teachers of rhetoric and composition. Its diverse and accomplished faculty are actively involved in every phase of the graduate student's life, including mentoring and assisting students during the job placement process. There are presently 60 M.A./M.F.A students and 117 Ph.D. students enrolled in the program. Graduate classes, however, are small, with averages of about 15 students.

Areas of Study

The Graduate Program offers the Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. Students in the M.A. program emphasize one of two tracks: (1) Literature, Folklore and Cultural Studies; (2) Rhetoric and Composition. M.F.A. students emphasize Creative Writing. Students in literature, folklore and cultural studies will deliver and defend a capstone essay; students in rhetoric and composition may write a thesis or take a portfolio examination. Creative writing students present a body of creative work for the thesis.

All Ph.D. students satisfy core requirements in literature, language study, and literary theory. Students then take comprehensive examinations and present dissertations in fields such as:

 

Certificate Programs and Other Interdisciplinary Programs

The English Department offers a Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing. This 12-hour certificate involves both theoretical and practical course work. It is designed for students in our graduate-degree programs interested in exploring a career path other than teaching and also for students not in our degree programs who are interested in developing skills in editing and publishing. The English Department is also the administrative home of a Certificate Program in Critical Theory that draws faculty from a variety of disciplines, including English, History, Philosophy, Modern Languages, Theater, and Dance. The program is designed as an 18-hour supplement to either the M.A. or Ph.D. program. Graduate students additionally have the opportunity to participate in a variety of other interdisciplinary programs on campus such as African-American Studies, Humanities, Women's Studies, and English Education.

Teaching College English: Graduate Teacher Training Program

As well as offering a comprehensive range of academic courses, the Graduate Program in English also provides an excellent teaching apprenticeship program for those who want to teach writing and literature at the college level. Teaching assistants without previous teaching experience participate in a six-week training program during the summer term preceding their appointment, and this program prepares them to teach in the rhetoric and composition classroom, the literature classroom, and the Department's Reading-Writing Center. Graduate students also have the opportunity to be trained in computer-assisted writing instruction.

 

Departmental Publications and Activities

The department also publishes two literary magazines, The Kudzu Review and The Southeast Review, and faculty members edit such scholarly journals as College Composition and Communication, The Journal of Beckett Studies, and The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies. Many students also gain journalistic experience by writing for the independent campus newspaper. The writing program sponsors weekly literary readings and an annual Spring Writer’s Festival.

Each fall, the English Colloquium Series gives graduate students the opportunity to interact with visiting scholars who are at the cutting edge of literary and cultural studies. The Writing Program sponsors readings one evening a week in the community, and every year it hosts writers, agents, and editors from all over the country.

 

Placement

The Graduate Program maintains a solid placement record for its Ph.D. graduates, despite the difficult job market. The Graduate Placement committee assists graduates in preparing for the job search by offering practice interviews, job talk rehearsals, and by reviewing application letters and vitae.

 

M.A. and M.F.A. Degree Programs

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master's degree programs in English, the following requirements must be met:

  1. An undergraduate degree in English, or related field, from an accredited college, with a 3.0 average, or its equivalent.
  2. A score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination, with at least 500 on the verbal section. Applicants in literature should also submit a score for the Graduate Record Subject Test in English literature. International applicants must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must score at least 550.
  3. A completed online application which includes:
    • Three letters of recommendation assessing the student's potential to do master's level work
    • A writing sample: applicants to the literature or rhetoric program should submit a critical essay; applicants to the creative writing program should submit 10 poems, a story, or a chapter from a novel.
    • A personal statement of 250-500 words describing the applicant's academic and professional experience and goals.
    • A current resume or curriculum vitae

Degree Requirements

To complete the M.A. or M.F.A. in English, students must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Earn 33 credit hours (45 for M.F.A.) with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better in approved courses as described below for each emphasis.
  2. Satisfy a foreign language requirement (there is not a foreign language requirement for the M.F.A.).
  3. Satisfactorily complete a final requirement as described below for each emphasis.

The M. A. Program in Literature

Students who choose the literature track will need a faculty advisor by the beginning of their second year. Their 33 semester hours of course work must include the following:

General Literature Requirements:

Nine hours in an Area of Concentration selected from the following list:

  1. Medieval and Early Modern British Literary and Cultural Studies (through 1660)
  2. British and Irish Literary and Cultural Studies: 1660-1900
  3. Post-1900 Literary and Cultural Studies (American, British, Irish)
  4. American Literary and Cultural Studies to 1900
  5. African-American Literary and Cultural Studies
  6. History of Text Technologies
  7. Feminism, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  8. Colonial, Postcolonial, and Transnational Literary and Cultural Studies
  9. Publishing and Editing

One literature course whose chief organizing principle is alterity (i.e., a course that focuses on race, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity). In this one instance the course fulfilling this requirement may, as well, fulfill another.

All M.A. students in residence and supported by a T.A. are required to take one credit hour of ENG 5935r (Speakers in English Studies) each fall and spring term in which they are registered.

The M.A. Program in Literature with an Emphasis in Publishing and Editing

The Master of Arts in Publishing and Editing is part of the Literature track or works in combination with the Literature and Rhetoric and Composition tracks. The degree requires a concentration of coursework that focuses on textuality, textual technologies, book history, the materiality of the book, or the mechanics of publishing--those courses that are part of the English Department's History of Text and Technologies (HoTT) program. The Student must fulfill the general requirements for the M. A. in Literature with a minimum of a 9-hour concentration in the area of History of Textual Technologies. This is a 45 hour program that supplements the traditional academic M. A. with 12 additional credits, 9 of which are non-degree credits in practical work and internships That is, in addition to the 33 hours of course-work for the M. A. degree, students enrolled in the Publishing and Editing M. A. program must complete the Certificate in Publishing and Editing Details for the Certificate in Publishing and Editing are available in the Graduate Student Handbook and on the English Department web page. The program as a whole thus involves historical, theoretical, and practical course work. It is designed for students interested in:

  1. studying publishing as an academic discipline--for example, its history and developing technology;
  2. exploring a career path other than that of teaching;
  3. developing supplemental skills in editing and publishing either to improve their own writing, or that of others; or
  4. understanding more fully the machinery of the publishing process.

The M. A. Program in English with an Emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition

Master's students who choose to emphasize rhetoric will complete thirty-three semester hours of course work, to include:

  1. At least twelve hours of course work in rhetoric, from the following: ENC 5700, ENG 5028, ENC 5720, LAE 5370, LAE 5946; and ENG 6939 when the topic is rhetoric.
  2. Six hours of thesis credit or other course credit.
  3. ENG 5933 (Issues in Literary and Cultural Studies).
  4. 12 additional hours of course work.

As a final requirement, students emphasizing rhetoric and composition must complete and defend a thesis or take a portfolio examination.

 

The M. F. A. Program in English with an Emphasis in Creative Writing

Students who wish to obtain the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing must complete forty-five semester hours of coursework, to include:

  1. 21-24 hours of work in writing, of which:

    12-15 will be taken in any combination of the following courses, provided at least two of the courses are taken: Fiction Workshop, Poetry Workshop, Drama Workshop, Article and Essay Workshop (the four workshops in writing may be repeated for credit), or Writing Seminar;

    9-12 hours will be devoted to writing a creative thesis.

  2. 21-24 hours in literature and related courses, including ENG 5933 (Issues in Literary and Cultural Studies).

To apply for the M.A. or M.F.A. program or to receive more information on the program, contact the Director of Graduate Studies or visit the Graduate Program site at http://english.fsu.edu/graduate/gradmain.htm.

 

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program in English, the following requirements must be met:

  1. An overall 3.5 average on master's level work.
  2. A score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), with at least 500 on the verbal section. Applicants in literature should also submit a score for the Graduate Record Subject Test in English literature. International applicants must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must score at least 550.
  3. A completed online application which includes:
    • Three letters of recommendation assessing the student's potential to do master's level work
    • A writing sample: applicants to the literature or rhetoric program should submit a critical essay; applicants to the creative writing program should submit 10 poems, a story, or a chapter from a novel.
    • A personal statement of 250-500 words describing the applicant's academic and professional experience and goals.
    • A current resume or curriculum vitae

Course Requirements

Students must satisfy the M. A. General Literature and foreign language requirements (even if student is directly admitted into the Ph.D. after completing only a B. A. degree)

Take a total of eighteen credit hours (nine for those delivering a creative dissertation) in an Area of Concentration chosen from the approved list of eligible concentrations or another area approved by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Committee, this in preparation for a Ph.D. Preliminary exam in the major field. Students can apply a maximum of nine hours from the Masters level toward the Ph.D. concentration requirement. Subdivisions within the general Areas of Concentration, listed below, will be detailed by individual caucuses comprised of faculty specializing in the Area:

  1. Medieval and Early Modern British Literary and Cultural Studies (through 1660)
  2. British and Irish Literary and Cultural Studies: 1660-1900
  3. Post-1900 Literary and Cultural Studies (American, British, Irish)
  4. American Literary and Cultural Studies to 1900
  5. African-American Literary and Cultural Studies
  6. History of Text Technologies
  7. Feminism, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  8. Colonial, Postcolonial, and Transnational Literary and Cultural Studies
  9. A Literary Genre (Students writing a creative dissertation only)

Take one literature course whose chief organizing principle is alterity (i.e., a course that focuses on race, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity). In this one instance the course fulfilling this requirement may, as well, fulfill another.

Pass a major and a minor exam based on reading lists drawn from the Areas of Concentration above.

Individual Areas of Concentration may involve additional requirements. These requirements will be set by the caucus comprised of faculty in the Area of Concentration.

In addition, a student's supervisory committee may determine that additional work in a relevant foreign language is necessary for a student's graduate program and scholarly interests.

ENG 5935r (Speakers in English Studies). All Ph.D. students in residence and supported by a T.A. are required to take one credit hour of ENG 5935r, “Speakers in English Studies,” each fall and spring term until they pass their prelims. The course will be graded S/U.

Residency Requirement

In order to receive the degree, the Ph.D. student must be continuously enrolled in the Florida State University campus for 24 semester hours past the M.A. in 12 consecutive months.

Time Limitation

All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within five years from the time the student passes the preliminary examination.

Preliminary Examination

To be formally admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D., the student must pass the preliminary examination at least 6 months before the degree is to be granted. The examination consists of a 12-hour written test given over 3 days (8 hours on the major area, 4 hours on the minor area), and a 1- to 2 hour oral examination by the supervisory committee, normally held within three weeks after the written test.

Dissertation

After filing a prospectus, the candidate will write the dissertation in close consultation with the major professor and the committee. The dissertation may be an extended essay, three or more essays related by subject, or an extended original work in fiction, poetry, or drama. The candidate will defend a draft of the dissertation in a 1-to 2-hour oral examination by the supervisory committee.

To apply for the Ph.D. program or to receive more information on the program, contact the Director of Graduate Studies or visit the Graduate Program site at http://english.fsu.edu/graduate/gradmain.htm.

 

Financial Support: Teaching Assistantships and Fellowships

 

Assistantships

The majority of students in the Graduate English Program receive support in the form of a teaching assistantship. Teaching assistants are provided with a stipend and a waiver for most of their tuition. Experienced TAs are often invited to teach during the summer term for an additional stipend.

Fellowships

Each year the university offers a limited number of Presidential Fellowships, valued at $20,000, and University Fellowships, valued at $15,000 each plus a tuition waiver. There are two kinds of University Fellowships: (a) regular University Competitive Fellowships and (b) Native Racial and Ethnic Minority Fellowships. A small number of $6,300 College Fellowships are also available to first-time-at-FSU students. The latter fellowship may be supplemented by a part-time teaching assistantship. Ph.D. students at the dissertation stage are eligible to apply for a very limited number of University Dissertation Fellowships, currently funded at $10,000 plus tuition waivers for three terms. Finally, students may apply for the $10,000 Kingsbury Writing Award.

Minority Fellowships

Leslie N. Wilson Assistantships: Newly enrolling African-American graduate students may compete for this non-teaching assistantship, which carries a stipend of $5,000 plus tuition waivers for the academic year. This amount may be supplemented by teaching or other duties in the department. The University also offers Delores Auzenne Fellowships for African-American graduate students, and the University Fellowships mentioned above. A number of African-American students in the program have also held McKnight Doctoral Fellowships, which provide up to five years of support, with a stipend of $12,000 plus tuition waivers. These fellowships are administered by a state-wide foundation. For further information on the teaching assistantship or any of these fellowships, contact the Director of Graduate Studies.

The Graduate Faculty

Information regarding the graduate faculty is located at http://english.fsu.edu/faculty/facspecialties.htm.

 

Application Information

Procedures for applying to the M.A., M.F.A., or the Ph.D. Degree Program

The online application opens on August 24, 2009 for admission to the fall semester 2010. The following items are required to complete an application:

  1. Submit an electronic application at https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/
  2. The following items should be uploaded in the supporting documents portion of the application
    1. Personal Statement
    2. Current Resume or C.V.
    3. Writing Sample
    4. GRE scores
    5. Unofficial Transcripts
  3. Submit letters of recommendation through the electronic application.
  4. Submit the $30 application fee upon completion of the electronic application.
  5. Submit official transcripts (from every university attended) and GRE scores to:
    • Office of Admissions
    • Florida State University
    • 282 Champions Way
    • PO Box 3062400
    • Tallahassee, FL 32306-2400

For more information about the application procedure please see the Graduate Studies homepage at: http://www.fsu.edu/~gradstds

If you have questions about any of the application materials or procedures please contact:

Tara Stamm
Program Assistant
Department of English
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1580
Telephone: (850) 644-2413
Fax: (850) 644-0811
E-mail: tstamm@fsu.edu

Deadlines: All new students, which include the PhD, MA, and MFA will be admitted in the fall semester each year.
Fall Admission - January 1, 2010
Teaching Assistant - January 1, 2010
University Fellowship - January 1, 2010