Doctor of Philosophy in English: Creative Writing (ENCD)

The Doctor of Philosophy in English: Creative Writing requires all students to have a specialization in a creative writing field and broad knowledge of literature, pedagogy, and theory.

Applicants must fill out an application through the Graduate College at wmich.edu/apply.
On admission, students should consult with the graduate director at the earliest opportunity concerning their program of study.
For more detailed information, see the English department’s graduate web page: wmich.edu/english/academics/graduate.

Financial Assistance
Competitive doctoral teaching assistantships are awarded each year.

Program Requirements

Students entering with a Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts are credited with up to 30 hours. Those entering directly from a baccalaureate program will be expected to complete the courses designated as “required” as early as possible in their studies.

1. Required Courses (9 hours)

(Equivalent courses from other institutions are accepted.)

ENGL 6150 - Literary Theory Credits: 3 hours
An approved course in the student’s area of specialization (i.e., contemporary fiction, poetry, or drama)
An approved course in modern literary forms

2. Area of Specialization (12 hours)

Twelve hours of workshops

3. Elective credit (9 hours)

Students in creative writing will take a minimum of 9 hours of elective credit.

4. Teaching component (6 hours)

Six hours of credit selected from courses or practica (ENGL 7110)

5. Candidacy Examination

After satisfying course requirements, students will take three four-hour written examinations and an oral examination in their chosen areas. These examinations should be completed within three years of admission. May be repeated twice.

6. World Language Requirement

By examination or by completion of coursework students must demonstrate basic reading competence in at least one world language. The world language requirement should be completed prior to taking the candidacy examination.

7. Doctoral Readings and Oral Examination (3 to 9 hours)

Near the completion of course work and before beginning the dissertation, students will take a course of readings designed by the candidate in conjunction with a faculty supervisor. An oral examination over the chosen books will follow.

ENGL 7110 - Readings in Doctoral Specialization Credits: 3 hours
(Credits needed: 3-9 hours)

8. Dissertation (15 hours)

The dissertation is to be a book-length manuscript of scholarship, criticism, research, or creative writing composed of either a single piece of work or a coherent collection of shorter pieces that are methodologically, structurally, or thematically related.