. . . about Graduate Studies in Composition and TESOL
What is the cost?
Please refer to the IUP Bursar’s office for up-to-date information on tuition and fees for graduate students.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. Academic-year students may apply for a graduate assistantship. GA awards are decided each April for the following academic year. Awards are decided according to program, academic performance, and background. Full assistantships carry a tuition waiver and a stipend of around $6,800 in return for assisting a professor with research or academic work for twenty hours per week. Most assistantships are awarded to entering Ph.D. students on a competitive basis (with a probability of a second-year award). Some international students are awarded a partial tuition waiver by the Office of International Affairs; students seeking this partial tuition waiver must contact the Office of International Affairs at 724-357-2295. Student loans are also available. To reach the Financial Aid Office, call 724-357-2218 or e-mail financial-aid@iup.edu. To read about support for C&T graduate students, please visit Financial Resources for C&T Students.
What accreditations are awarded to IUP?
IUP is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition, IUP holds over twenty-five additional accreditations for specific programs.
Are graduate assistantships available for summer?
No, we do not offer assistantships in the summer. Students who are awarded full assistantships for the academic year may also register for up to 12 hours of coursework in summer with a tuition waiver.
How long does it take to get a Ph.D. degree at IUP?
The School of Graduate Studies and Research allows students seven years from the date of matriculation to complete the Ph.D. Depending on the individual’s circumstances, it can take as little as three years or, on average, four to five years.
What if I need more time?
Doctoral students are strongly urged to plan wisely and make steady progress each year so that they are not in danger of reaching the seven (7)-year deadline for completion because at that point the student may be dismissed from the university. However, with approval of the program director and the dean of the graduate school, students may apply in writing to the program director for a one-year extension approximately one year before this seven (7)-year deadline is reached. To qualify for approval of a one-year extension, the student must have met all requirements for the degree and be working on an approved dissertation. Under extraordinary circumstances, a second one-year extension may be granted.
What is the dissertation registration policy?
All Ph.D. students who are beyond the Comprehensive Exams (LIT) or Culminating Evaluation (C&T) must register for at least one dissertation credit (ENGL 950) each Fall and Spring until graduation. Once you complete course work, you need to begin working on your dissertation and register for at least one credit of Dissertation each Fall and Spring semester (but not summer). Twelve hours of dissertation credit must be in place by the time you defend the dissertation. You will be able to register for any remaining credits in the semester you graduate. Tuition applies to all credits, but fees are reduced.
The policy may be found in the Graduate Catalog.
As of Dec. 22, 2008, the policy is as follows. Be sure to check the official IUP Graduate Catalog for any updates to this policy.
Continuous Registration Credit
Beginning with the Fall 2004 term, this policy is binding for all doctoral students; it is binding for all Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) students beginning Fall 2007. Following completion of all course, language, and skill requirements and of the comprehensive examination requirement where applicable, doctoral and M.F.A. students must enroll for at least one credit of dissertation or thesis or one credit of continuous registration each semester (Fall and Spring) annually through the graduation of the student or until the time limit is exceeded (See Time Limitation Policy for Doctoral or Master’s students). For this period, the student will be considered a full-time doctoral or M.F.A. student. Until the dissertation or thesis is successfully defended, a grade of “R” will be assigned to each registered credit. Upon successful completion of the dissertation or thesis, the grade assigned by the dissertation or thesis director will apply to all registered dissertation or thesis credits. Students must pay tuition and mandatory university fees (equal to the part-time mandatory fees) and may choose to pay Student Health and Activity Fees if the associated services will be used.
Note: The Continuous Dissertation policy has been in place since 1990. There have been minor language changes since that time, but the requirement for doctoral students to be registered has not changed. Further, since this is a university requirement, students failing to register as directed will be registered by their program coordinator and billed accordingly. If it is the doctoral or M.F.A. student’s intent to “quit” the program, he/she should schedule an appointment with the graduate coordinator as soon as possible to avoid any further registration and subsequent assessment.
Are any tests required for admission, like the GRE or TOEFL?
We do not require the GRE examination. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required of all international students entering from countries where English is not the dominant language. However, the TOEFL requirement will be waived by the Graduate School if the student has an M.A. degree from a U.S. university. While the Graduate School will accept TOEFL scores of 500 or higher, the graduate English programs require a score of at least 570.
Do I need to be proficient in a foreign language?
The Ph.D. program in Composition and TESOL does not have a foreign language requirement.
The Ph.D. program in Literature and Criticism requires proficiency in one foreign language. A test to show reading proficiency in a language other than English is administered at least three times per year by the Advising and Testing Office in Pratt Hall. Applications to take the foreign language test are available from that office.
How many courses do I have to take?
The answer to this question depends on the program you choose. All M.A. degrees require 36 credit hours, with the exception of those seeking certification in the M.A./Teaching English. Those students may need to take additional courses required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for certification. Also, students in the M.A./Teaching English program may need to take six hours of student teaching. The Ph.D. Program in Compostion and TESOL requires 36 credit hours of course work. After course work is completed, students must enroll for 12 hours of dissertation. Ph.D. students must enroll for at least one credit hour of dissertation each semester until they graduate.
What courses should I register for in my first semester?
Students should follow the guidelines of their specific programs before registering. In general, students should begin by taking core courses.
How many courses can I take each semester?
Our graduate programs are full-time, and students are advised to take nine semester hours (three courses) each semester. This totals 18 credit hours for the academic year. In the summer, a full load is six hours in each five-week session. This totals 12 credits each summer.
May I combine the C&T and L&C doctoral programs?
Each program has its own core and required courses. There are open electives built into each program to allow students to customize their program to fit their needs. Any open electives should be approved by the program director.
May I transfer courses?
The Composition and TESOL Ph.D. program allows three transfer credits (one course). The Literature Ph.D. program allows six (two courses). Students may transfer credits if the credits are fewer than five years old from an accredited graduate program, have a grade of “A,” and are approved by the director of the program. Requests for approval of transfer credits may be obtained from the Graduate English Office.
Are there any on-line courses?
At this time there are no on-line graduate English courses. However, Lterature and Criticism students may take up to six credits of Independent Study, from off campus, with L&C faculty. We offer the independent seminar (study) each semester to allow students to pursue areas of English that are not regularly offered in course work. Independent Seminar applications are available from the secretary in the Graduate English Office. Independent Seminars must be approved by the program director before the student will be permitted to register for the course.
How do I fulfill the residency requirement?
Only the Ph.D. programs have a residency requirement. Essentially, there are three ways to fulfill the residency requirement: 1) two consecutive full-time academic-year semesters; 2) two consecutive full-time summers; 3) a combination of a full-time summer and a full-time semester (i.e., Summer/Fall or Spring/Summer).
How does the summer residency work?
Each student who elects to meet his/her residency in the summers-only program must register for twelve credits per summer for two consecutive summers. The summers are divided into two five-week sessions. Students must register for two courses in each five-week session. In order to complete all course work, a student may elect to take a third summer, transfer one or two courses (depending on the progam), and take up to two independent seminars (depending on the program). A combinations of these options is also allowed.
What are the dining options?
Graduate students have a variety of choices for meals on and around campus. We recommend that you consider at least a partial meal plan on campus if you are coming for our summer program. Studying in the summer is intense; not having to shop, cook, and clean can help with time management. There are many restaurants within walking distance to campus. Meal plans are affordable, and some plans allow you to use your I-card for restaurants near campus. More information about meal plans can be obtained from the Housing and Residence Life Office: 724- 357-2696 or by e-mail at iup-ohrl@iup.edu.
For information on meal plans, consult the IUP Bursar’s office.
Where do graduate students live?
Graduate students may choose to live on campus, but most prefer to live off campus. Surrounding campus are a number of accommodations ranging from dorm-style living to apartment living (both furnished and unfurnished). Information about housing, both on campus and off campus, can be obtained from the Housing and Residence Life Office at 724-357-2696 or by e-mail at iup-ohrl@iup.edu. English Department graduate students may also contact the Graduate English Office secretary for a list of housing options.
How will my transcript describe the degree?
When a Ph.D. in English – Composition and TESOL degree is awarded, the transcript will show the following (this is an example only):
Degree/Certificate Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy dd-mm-yyyy
Major: English
Maj/Concentration: Composition and TESOL
