18 When to Take the Ph.D. Preliminary Examinations

Near completion of all coursework, a doctoral student will take preliminary exams in two examination areas approved by the department (presumably in areas most relevant to the student’s teaching interests and dissertation topic). Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of expertise in these examination areas, appropriate for teaching advanced undergraduate and graduate classes. Students must pass the preliminary examinations before enrolling in Dissertation Research (ENGL 7640). The Doctoral Readings course (ENGL 7909) may be taken while taking the preliminary examinations.