Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing

Building on excellence in creative writing and a record of excellence in the student's M.A. preparation in the broad range of English and American literature or M.F.A. preparation in creative writing and literature, the Ph.D. student in literature and creative writing should work toward increased sophistication as a writer/scholar. The Ph.D. student should also continue to strengthen and deepen an understanding of three areas of expertise: his/her specific genre, including the history of the genre and contemporary theoretical approaches to the genre; a historical period, rhetoric or literary theory; and a specific individualized area of inquiry. The career of a Ph.D. student should be marked by increasing independence in his/her creative writing and in thinking and writing about literature and/or literary theory. Working toward these objectives advances the student's competence in writing the creative dissertation. The Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing constitutes solid preparation for creative publication, scholarly publication, and expert undergraduate and graduate teaching.

Minimum requirements for admission

M.A. in English or M.F.A. in Creative Writing
3.5 g.p.a. in graduate studies
Studies in one foreign language (Student can complete this requirement while in residence.)
GRE general test and subject test

Application Materials

Students should submit the following materials to the University of Houston’s Office of Admissions:

The on-line application
All academic transcripts
The scores for both the GRE general test and subject test

The following materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies in the Department of English:

Three letters of recommendation
The student’s statement of intent
A 15-25 page critical writing sample

The creative writing sample consists of:

10 pages of poetry or 20-25 pages of fiction
The fiction manuscript should be double-spaced on numbered, single-sided pages
The poetry manuscript can be single-spaced and formatted as desired
The creative manuscript should be stapled, but neither bound nor presented in a folder or notebook

Requirements of the degree

45 hours of coursework
Foreign language. Students must demonstrate reading knowledge of two foreign languages or intensive knowledge of one foreign language.
3 written comprehensive examinations
1 oral comprehensive examination
Dissertation

Distribution of coursework

3 hours of Introduction to Doctoral Studies in English
3 hours of bibliography, literary theory, or rhetoric. If students have taken a course in one of these areas for the M.A., this requirement will be waived, allowing the student an additional 3 hours of elective course work (but not a reduction in the total hours required).
24 hours of literature, including (1) either History of Poetry and Poetics or History of Narrative and Narrative Theory, (2) 9 hours in early literature, (3) 6 hours in later literature, and (4) 6 hours of elective courses, each contributing to the student's areas of expertise. Students should select each of these courses in consultation with the graduate advisor and his/her faculty mentors. Early British literature is defined as British literature before 1800 and early American literature is defined as American literature before 1865.
3 hours of Writers on Literature
12 hours of creative writing workshops, including 1 Master Workshop in the major genre

Doctoral Reading Lists