English Department
Handbook:
A guide to Departmental Policies and Procedures
Degree requirements for English students are governed by the program information
published in the archived Bulletin and the Department Handbook for the academic year
in which a student began coursework at the University.
Last updated 8/21/2012.
Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1
General Information for New and Continuing Students ..................................................... 1
Mail ................................................................................................................................. 1
Student ID Cards ............................................................................................................. 1
Information Technology ................................................................................................. 2
Email ........................................................................................................................... 2
Student Portal .............................................................................................................. 2
Sakai ............................................................................................................................ 2
Staff and Faculty Contact Information ........................................................................... 3
CGU/CUC Resources ..................................................................................................... 3
Registration and Degree Forms ...................................................................................... 3
Certificate Programs ....................................................................................................... 3
General Policies and Procedures ......................................................................................... 3
Academic Honesty .......................................................................................................... 3
Satisfactory Academic Progress ..................................................................................... 4
Required Use of Interfolio for Letters of Recommendation ........................................... 4
Program Requirements........................................................................................................ 4
Advising/Registration ..................................................................................................... 5
Research Tool(s) ............................................................................................................. 5
The Language Exam ................................................................................................... 5
Courses ............................................................................................................................ 5
Claremont Colleges Courses ....................................................................................... 6
Independent Study Courses......................................................................................... 6
Degree Changes .............................................................................................................. 6
M.A. to Ph.D. .............................................................................................................. 6
Transferring Credits ........................................................................................................ 6
Specific Requirements – M.A. Degrees .......................................................................... 7
M.A. in English ........................................................................................................... 7
M.A. in Literature and Film ........................................................................................ 7
Specific Requirements – Ph.D. Degree........................................................................... 7
Coursework ................................................................................................................. 7
Evaluation ................................................................................................................... 8
Qualifying Exams ....................................................................................................... 8
Dissertation ............................................................................................................... 10
Appendices ........................................................................................................................ 12
Appendix I: Distribution Requirement Checklist – M.A. in English ........................... 12
Appendix II: Distribution Requirement Checklist – M.A. in Literature and Film ....... 13
Appendix III: Plan for Qualifying Examinations Sample Form ................................... 14
Appendix IV: Sample Timetable for Ph.D. Degree ...................................................... 15
Appendix V: English Department Doctoral Program Checklist ................................... 16
Appendix VI: Resource and Reference Materials in the SAH Office .......................... 17
Sample Documents ................................................................................................... 17
Reading Lists/Bibliographies .................................................................................... 17
Appendix VII: Advising/Registration FAQs ................................................................ 18
Appendix VIII: Interfolio FAQs ................................................................................... 20
Introduction
The English Department at CGU is oriented toward small seminars, transdisciplinary study, and
independent learning UNDERTAKEN WITH ENGAGED AND INFORMED ADVISING
FROM FACULTY MENTORS AT THE MA AND PHD LEVELS. The Department’s
objectives are to impart to students (1) the ability to write graduate level prose clearly and
effectively, (2) an understanding of research in the field (demonstrate research capacity and
bibliographic fluency), (3) a sense of the fields and sub-fields that are shaping the primary and
related disciplines surrounding the student’s area of inquiry, (4) the possibility of relating those
areas of inquiry in the discipline of English to other scholarly fields by the use of
transdisciplinary models and methods, and 5) the ability to undertake independent research and
make an original contribution to the student’s area of study.
The purpose of this handbook for the English Department is to provide new and continuing
students with information about policies, procedures, and degree requirements for the M.A. and
Ph.D. programs in the English Department, which are not included or explained in detail in the
CGU Bulletin or on the CGU or School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) websites. Each
student’s program requirements are governed by the CGU Bulletin and the English
Department Handbook published during the first year of enrollment. This handbook is,
therefore, an essential guide and supplement for obtaining a degree in English at CGU.
Please note that most of the information students need in order to complete their degree at CGU
can be found on the website. Therefore, it is extremely important for students to become familiar
with both the CGU and SAH websites, especially the Student Services webpage. On this site,
students can find important links to resources for student life and academic policies and
procedures (i.e. the academic calendar, student health services, the writing center, IT help desk,
forms for completing a degree, etc.). Additionally, the SAH website contains important
information, such as contact information for all SAH faculty and staff, an event calendar, and
links to special resources for SAH students. While much important information is available on
the CGU website, the SAH office and staff always welcome students’ questions. The office is
located at 831 North Dartmouth and is open from 8:30 – 5:30, Monday through Friday (except
for major holidays). The main phone number for the office is 909-621-8612.
General Information for New and Continuing Students
Mail
Students may occasionally receive mail and/or packages at the Arts & Humanities office if
necessary. Students will be notified via their CGU email account if any packages or mail arrives
for them.
Student ID Cards
The Claremont Card Center provides ID card services for The Claremont Colleges. Students
should visit the Card Center located in the CUC Connection office in the South Entrance of
Honnold Library during their first week of class as they will need this card for various services at
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CGU, including many library services. There is no charge for an initial ID card. The Card Center
also manages the Claremont Cash program. Claremont Cash can be used to purchase both food
and non-food items throughout The Claremont Colleges, as well as local merchants in and
around Claremont. All students, faculty, and staff of The Claremont Colleges have a Claremont
Cash account established as soon as their ID card is created. Funds may be deposited into an
account via the Card Center’s website or office. For more information about the Card Center,
students can visit the website at https://cards.cuc.claremont.edu/.
Information Technology
CGU and the Claremont University Consortium (CUC) offer many technological tools for
students, including campus-wide wireless internet access, email, online access to student
accounts, grades, and class schedules, web-based instructional tools, and the ability to request
and/or rent technical equipment for special events or classes. Information about these services,
including answers to frequently asked questions can be found on CGU’s Office of Information
Technology webpage, http://www.cgu.edu/pages/260.asp.
Email
Every student at CGU is given an email account. It is extremely important for students to
check their CGU email accounts regularly. CGU and the SAH office will only send email
to CGU email accounts in order to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA). Many courses require work done by e-mail, and many professors distribute
course information by this medium. Account information is provided to each student at the
New Student Orientation. If you cannot attend orientation please see Susan Hampson to
collect your orientation packet, which includes network account information. Note: It is
possible to forward CGU email to a different email account. Instructions for doing this
may be found at the following Office of Information Technology webpage
http://www.cgu.edu/pages/7982.asp.
Student Portal
It is extremely important that students check and use their Student Portals. The Student
Portal is the main way for students to register for classes, check their grades, check their
academic progress, view their student account, and make changes to their personal
information, such as addresses and phone numbers. The Student Portal may be accessed at
the following web address, https://my.cgu.edu. Login information for the Student Portal is
provided to students after the first time they register either via U.S. Mail or at New Student
Orientation. For help logging on or for a new username and/or password, please contact the
Office of Information Technology (OIT).
Sakai
Sakai is a course management tool used by all of the Claremont Colleges. Many professors
use this tool for their courses to post syllabi and readings and/or to facilitate online
discussions for their classes. Sakai can be accessed at the following web address,
https://sakai.claremont.edu. Logon information is identical to that used to access the Student
Portal.
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Staff and Faculty Contact Information
For a complete and current listing of Arts and Humanities Faculty and Staff contact and/or
biographical information, please visit the School of Arts and Humanities website at
www.cgu.edu/sah.
CGU/CUC Resources
For a list of current student resources at CGU, please visit either the School of Arts and
Humanities website at www.cgu.edu/sah or the main CGU website under “Current Students” at
http://www.cgu.edu/pages/104.asp, as well as on the Claremont University Consortium (CUC)
website, www.cuc.claremont.edu. Examples of resources that students can find on these sites are
funding opportunities, career services, health services, the library, information technology, and
many more.
Registration and Degree Forms
There are important forms that students will need to complete their degree requirements at CGU,
such as registration forms, the Intent to Receive a Degree Form, and the Final Approval Form
(M.A./Certificate). Electronic versions of most of these forms can be found on the Office of
Student Records/Registrar webpage, http://www.cgu.edu/pages/179.asp.
Certificate Programs
The School of Arts and Humanities offers several Certificate Programs, which students can earn
concurrently with the degree for which they are enrolled. For more information about these
certificate options and their requirements, please see the Certificate section of the Bulletin.
General Policies and Procedures
CGU’s policies and procedures are available through the Student Services webpage. Some of
these policies include Academic Honesty, Sexual Harassment, Student Rights and
Responsibilities, and Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students should familiarize themselves
with these policies. The English Department has made additions to some of these CGU policies,
which are explained below.
Academic Honesty
In addition to the Standards of Academic Honesty contained in the Bulletin, the English
Department considers the multiple submission of written work for courses as an issue of
academic integrity. It is improper to submit the work done for one class or project to a second
class or as a second project without first getting the informed permission of both instructors.
Some instructors allow overlapping work between courses. In such cases, students must obtain
the agreement of all relevant instructors.
Modern scholarship, like the modern educational system generally, depends on academic
honesty for its integrity. Plagiarism, when detected, is an offense that the academy cannot afford
to ignore. Students also should take care to avoid the more subtle, second-hand, or unintentional
forms of intellectual theft that can afflict careless academic prose. If a thought, a phrase, etc., is
owed to a specific source, students should acknowledge that source in a footnote. (For more
information about the forms of plagiarism and how avoid it, see the Institutional Handbook
section on Plagiarism)
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Satisfactory Academic Progress
The English Department adheres to the General Requirements for Satisfactory Academic
Progress (SAP) as outlined in the Bulletin with the following additions:
SAP refers to maintaining an appropriate (as distinct from minimally acceptable) academic
record reaching the various stages of progress in the department at or near the time expected of
the majority of students. In addition, students must demonstrate a level of research and writing
ability and class performance appropriate to the standards of graduate study. Cases of students
not maintaining satisfactory progress will be reviewed by the department advisor and department
chair, who will take appropriate action.
Both masters' and doctoral students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 and have no
more than two incomplete grades on their transcript at any time.
The department takes satisfactory progress into account in awarding and maintaining financial
support. Students should also be aware that CGU maintains a policy on satisfactory academic
policy for eligibility for financial aid. Information is available through the Office of Student
Financing.
Required Use of Interfolio for Letters of Recommendation
Interfolio is an online service that manages, tracks, and delivers application and dossier materials
to graduate schools and for jobs, as well as confidential letters of recommendation. In order to
ensure the timely and reliable delivery of your letters All Arts and Humanities students are
required to use the service for all confidential letters of reference (unless your advisor/letter
writer chooses otherwise). We recommend that you use the service for the management and
delivery of your dossier and other application materials as well, but that is ultimately up to you.
Although almost all universities have moved to online applications, we recognize that there are
some who request letters be sent by mail directly from applicants and their letter writers. We will
work with you to ensure these letters are sent through our office, but please remember that the
letter writer is managing many requests and the ultimate responsibility for follow-up remains
with you.
Note that for online applications you can direct the letter of recommendation request to your
Interfolio account . Please see Appendix VIII: Interfolio FAQs for more information.
You can also go here for instruction: http://www.cgu.edu/pages/6961.asp
Program Requirements
General English program requirements as well as CGU requirements are outlined in the CGU
Bulletin, which is updated yearly and is the official university publication which governs degree
requirements. The current Bulletin, as well as archived versions of it, may be found at the
following address, http://Bulletin.cgu.edu. However, specific English program requirements
such as advising, course distribution, and research tool options are not included in the Bulletin.
These are explained below.
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Advising/Registration
When a student enters the English Department, he or she will be assigned a department advisor.
The department advisor will oversee the student’s progress until the student selects faculty to
serve as advisors for the M.A. research paper, qualifying examinations, and/or doctoral
dissertation.
Review of a student’s academic progress and program requirements by a faculty advisor is
required during the two-week mandatory advising period prior to registration each semester. A
registration hold will be placed on all accounts and will remain until students receive approval
from their advisor/chair. Students will be notified by email in advance of the mandatory advising
period each semester.
All students are responsible for checking in officially (in person, by email, or by telephone)
with their advisor or the chair of their department prior to registration each semester.
Students wishing to register for classes, continuous registration, or doctoral study must
first receive official approval from their advisor/chair. Only the official approval by a
faculty advisor may lift the registration hold on a student’s account.
Research Tool(s)
M.A. students must pass one foreign language exam in order to fulfill the research tool
requirement. Ph.D. students must pass language exams in two different languages or pass one
language exam and complete the Digital Humanities course, HUM 340, (no degree units will be
awarded for completing this course if it is used to fulfill the research tool requirement). Ph.D.
students should confer with their advisor regarding specialty-appropriate research tools,
especially when electing to substitute a language for Digital Humanities. Any substitution and
the choice of language(s) must be approved in advance by the faculty advisor.
The Language Exam
The School of Arts and Humanities policy on foreign language Research Tools is: Fulfillment of
a language tool by demonstrating competency at translating an approved language into English-as distinct from completing another type of research tool (permitted by some SAH
departments)--can only be achieved by passing an approved, written examination. This applies
to all SAH students, including native speakers of the language under consideration. For more
information, current exam dates, and to register, students should visit the “Students” page of
the SAH website or email the Arts and Humanities Program Assistant.
Courses
English students may take any course offered at CGU with the permission of the instructor.
They may also take a limited number of upper level seminars offered at the Claremont School of
Theology or the Claremont Colleges, but only with prior permission of their advisor and the CST
or college faculty. Students should plan to take courses from at least two core faculty, preferably
in their first year of study at CGU in order to ensure that the core faculty in English are able to
evaluate students’ work. Current course listings and instructions for how to register can be
found on the Student Services webpage. See below for details and restrictions on course
options.
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Claremont Colleges Courses
Students should consult the Registrar’s webpage for instructions on how to enroll in classes
at the undergraduate Claremont Colleges. In general, advisors need to be consulted in
advance and are expected to make the initial request for a graduate student to enroll in any
undergraduate course.
Independent Study Courses
With prior permission of any member of the faculty of CGU, including adjuncts, and
colleges faculty, students may organize independent studies to pursue specialized topics
under the guidance of a professor. When an independent study replaces a course, students
must do an equivalent amount of reading and writing. Students must complete the
Enrollment Contract and Registration Form for Independent Coursework Credit and attach a
plan for the independent study signed by both the instructor and the student’s advisor. The
plan should include a course syllabus, a reading list, a description of scheduled meetings (at
least one hour per week for a 4-unit course), and a description of writing assignments.
Detailed instructions and the registration form for independent study classes can be found on
the following Registrar’s webpage, http://www.cgu.edu/pages/7405.asp.
Degree Changes
The English Department has special requirements in addition to those required in the Bulletin for
changing a degree status from M.A. to Ph.D.
M.A. to Ph.D.
Students completing an M.A. in English at CGU can not assume automatic admission to the
Ph.D. If a student wishes to pursue the Ph.D. in English at CGU, he or she must submit, in
addition to the Registrar’s requirements, a statement of purpose and three letters of
recommendation from professors familiar with the student’s work at CGU (letters may be
submitted via email or in sealed envelopes to the Program Coordinator). The faculty will
evaluate the student’s previous academic work and may request writing samples or other
materials to support the application. Beginning in Fall semester 2012, these materials will
need to be submitted by 15 November for consideration to begin doctoral courses in the
spring semester of the same academic year. Students will be notified of the status of their
applications as soon as possible. Currently, the English department only accepts and
evaluates applications once per year (in spring semester) for entrance in Fall semester the
same calendar year. The only exception to this rule is to be made for currently enrolled MA
students, who may apply for consideration in their final semester of coursework, even if this
is a Fall semester: if they are accepted, they (and only they) may begin taking doctoral
classes in spring semester.
Transferring Credits
The University guidelines for transferring graduate credits from institutions other than CGU,
may be found on the Office of Student Records/Registrar webpage. English students have the
following requirements for transferring units in addition to the University’s guidelines:
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All 40 units of coursework from a CGU M.A. (but no more than twelve from a single semester)
may be counted toward the Ph.D. Students transferring units from other accredited institutions
must take at least ten seminars in residence at CGU.
English students must complete a minimum of 12 units within the English department before
transferring outside credits. Petitions may be submitted as early as the end of a student’s first
full year at CGU (when the student is on the verge of successfully completing 12 units).
Specific Requirements – M.A. Degrees
The English Department offers three M.A. degrees: the M.A. in English, the M.A. in Literature
and Film, and the M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing. M.A. students in the English
department may also obtain a concentration in Early Modern Studies (for more information on
the Early Modern Studies Program, please refer to the CGU Bulletin). All the M.A. degrees
require the completion of 40 units of coursework and one foreign language exam. See below for
specific course distribution requirements.
M.A. in English
Courses taken for the M.A. in English must fulfill the following distribution requirements:
one course in British literature before 1700; one in British literature after 1700; one in
American literature before 1900; one in American literature after 1900; and one other course
in British or American literature of any period.
M.A. in Literature and Film
The course distribution requirements for the M.A. in Literature and Film are the same as
those for the M.A. in English except that a) four seminars must be film courses (the M.A.
distribution requirement also applies); b) two of the four film courses taken must be offered
by the CGU English Department, and at least one other by another department in CGU
Humanities.
Specific Requirements – Ph.D. Degree
Coursework
A total of 72 units are required for the Ph.D. in English. 64 of those units are obtained
through coursework, and the remaining 8 units may be reserved for studying for Qualifying
Exams and writing the Dissertation Proposal, although students may elect to take the
remaining 8 units in coursework. Coursework required for the degree must fulfill the
distribution requirement as outlined above for the M.A. in English degree with one addition:
students must take one transdisciplinary course. CGU requires all Ph.D. students to
complete the 4 unit transdisciplinary course requirement within the first two years of their
program. These 4 units count toward the 64 units of coursework for the Ph.D. in English.
For students who earned an M.A. degree at CGU, the 64 units of coursework will include six
seminars of 4 units each. For students who transfer in 24 units, the coursework requirement
will include ten seminars of 4 units each, usually taken over a two-year period.
If a student elects to take his or her last 8 units in Independent Research/Dissertation
Research, these are to be taken in the semesters immediately following coursework (please
contact the Student Support Secretary, about enrollment requirements for the last 8
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units). Thereafter, students must register for Doctoral Study to maintain continuous
registration until all degree requirements have been met.
Evaluation
Ph.D. students will be reviewed every year until coursework has been completed. All
students who are enrolled in Ph.D. coursework must, in timely fashion, provide the review
committee with a copy of a graded term paper, an explanation for any low or incomplete
grades, and any other relevant data or documents requested by the review committee.
Students who do not receive the review committee’s permission to advance in the Ph.D.
program will not be allowed to continue and may be advised to terminate their English study
at CGU with the M.Phil. degree.
Qualifying Exams
Normally, the department offers the qualifying exams three times per each year. Please note
that the opportunity to take the qualifying exams is not automatic. Formal permission must
be obtained from the CGU core faculty in English per the “Evaluation” section above.
Students who do not take the exams or who fail them may request permission to complete
the requirements for the terminal M.Phil. degree.
Procedure
Students are eligible to take qualifying exams upon completion of all the requirements
listed in the Bulletin sections on the Ph.D. in English (in the top portion only) and
Registration and Degree Information and in this handbook (except the Qualifying Exams
and the Dissertation). These include the successful completion of 64 units of coursework
and the Research Tool requirements.
Although students may elect to take qualifying exams at any point when the student and
advisor deems they are ready, the Qualifying Exams is normally taken one year from the
time the student finishes either 64 or 72 (if they elect to take all units in coursework)
units of coursework. It is important for students to take adequate time to prepare
thoroughly for their exams. The ability to successfully undertake and complete a
mandated period of self-directed readings is a crucial part of professional training.
Several months prior to the exams students will be asked to confirm their intention to
take the exams and verify their choices of major and minor fields. The Advisor will then
consut with the student and appoint a committee of faculty representing the declared
fields.
Students should complete and submit the English Qualifying Exam Plan Form to the
Doctoral Student Support Secretary, as soon as the composition of their committees have
been determined and they have finalized the date(s) of the exams and their oral defense.
Note: This form must be submitted at least one month prior to the exam date.
Exams are conducted three times a year. For current dates, students should contact the
Doctoral Student Support Secretary, who serves as the coordinator and proctor for all
qualifying exams. Students must take the exam when it is offered in any given year, and
must plan accordingly.
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Topics and Format
To prepare for the qualifying exams, students must select one major field and may select
two minor fields from among the following fields: 1) Renaissance; 2) Early Modern
through Seventeenth-Century British; 3) Eighteenth-Century British; 4) NineteenthCentury British; 5) Twentieth-Century British; 6) American before 1800; 7) NineteenthCentury American; 8) Twentieth-Century American; 9) Film Studies (minor only); 10)
Theory (minor only). Minor fields may also be selected from fields outside the English
Department, in consultation with the student’s advisor and the relevant faculty.
The major field is the field in which the student plans to become expert—that is, the field
in which he or she will write the doctoral dissertation. Students are thus encouraged to
choose minor fields that not only contribute to their foci of interest in the major field but
also extend the breadth of their expertise in ways that enhance their vocational
possibilities after graduation.
As students choose a major field, they should consider which faculty members they wish
to have direct their research. Though dissertation directors are not appointed until the
qualifying exams have been passed, students may begin consulting a potential
dissertation director during preparation for the exams. The reading lists that a student
develops for his or her major and minor fields are subject to the approval of the faculty
member responsible for those literary periods.
In the major field, students are expected to demonstrate in-depth understanding of the
entire period (i.e. works of major and minor authors, important cultural and historical
events of the period, relevant criticism and scholarship). In the minor field, students
should demonstrate knowledge of the major authors as well as the significant cultural and
historical events.
The committee members will set the questions in the fields in which the student is to be
tested. The student’s advisor serves as the chair of the committee except in the rare case
wherein the major field advisor is not a member of the CGU English faculty (in which
case a CGU faculty member will serve as chair). The qualifying exams comprise a set of
written exams covering the three fields of study, and an oral exam (usually of 2 hours,
scheduled individually for each student and occurring up to three weeks after the written
exams).
When the written exams have been completed, copies of all exams will be given to each
member of the examining committee. Upon their review of the written exams, the
committee members will decide whether or not the student will be invited to take the oral
exam. Progressing to the oral portion of the exam is not a guarantee that the exam will be
judged as passing.
Examinees may not keep copies of their written answers. A copy will be made available
for the oral portion of the exam but must be returned at the conclusion of the oral exam.
Students are, however, allowed to inspect their written answers in the Arts and
Humanities office once the entire examination process is over.
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The exam will be judged as a whole, written and oral together, and given one of the
following marks: Pass or Fail by unanimous consent of the committee members.
Failure
Students who fail the qualifying exams are normally permitted to take them a second
time, or they may request permission to complete the requirements for the terminal
M.Phil. degree. If the exams are repeated, they should be taken no less than three months
and no more than one year after the first attempt. A student who wishes to retake the
exam must submit to the Chair a formal request and repeat all examination procedures.
Requests for a third examination usually do not receive the support of the English Chair
and faculty.
Dissertation
Committee
After passing the qualifying exams, students must arrange for a faculty member to serve
as a dissertation director. This faculty member, as the chair of the dissertation committee,
will seek the dean’s and the Chair’s approval of other proposed committee members. In
this way, dissertation committees are formed.
The School of Arts and Humanities policy on Dissertation Committee members is:
1.
Claremont Colleges faculty may serve on a CGU Dissertation Committee
provided there is one core CGU faculty member on the Committee.
2.
Claremont Colleges faculty may chair Dissertation Committees provided they are
CGU Extended Faculty and are deemed appropriate by the Department Chair and
the Dean.
Proposal Guidelines
When a student’s dissertation committee has been formed and approved, he or she must
submit a dissertation proposal for review by the committee; once approved, the
dissertation proposal must be filed with the Registrar’s Office as a 350-word abstract.
Once the proposal has been filed with the Registrar’s Office, the student is advanced to
candidacy. Advancement to candidacy must occur no later than six months after passing
the qualifying exams. Sample dissertation proposals and abstracts are available for your
review in the Arts and Humanities.
Writing the Dissertation
The content of a dissertation should be an original contribution to scholarship. With
regard to form, students should follow the Registrar’s guidelines and the
recommendations of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers or The MLA
Style Manual. (See Appendix I for references.) Dissertations are publications; they are
copyrighted and digitized, so they should be composed according to the conventions of
professional academic writing on literature.
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Final Oral Examination
At least six months, and usually at least one year, after advancement to candidacy, when
the dissertation has been completed and approved by the dissertation committee, the
student must pass a final oral examination and defense of the dissertation. Details and
requirements for this examination can be found in the Bulletin. Students should bring four
copies of the title page and a copy of the dissertation to the defense.
A student must complete the dissertation within two years of advancing to candidacy or
otherwise take the M.Phil. Degree. Petitions for extension of this deadline are possible
only after perusal and written approval by the student’s advisor and subsequent review by
the Department Chair.
Filing and Publication of Dissertation
The School of Arts and Humanities requires students to submit one unbound copy of their
dissertation to the SAH office in addition to the Registrar’s requirements listed in the
Bulletin.
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Appendices
Appendix I: Distribution Requirement Checklist – M.A. in English
(Please see the English Department Student Handbook ant the CGU Bulletin for complete requirements)
Name:
ID #:
Date:
The M.A. degree requires 40 units: ten seminars of 4 units each, usually taken over a
two year period, with no more than twelve units a semester. Five of the ten seminars
must follow the distribution below.
DISTRIBUTION
REQUIREMENT
British Literature:
Before 1700
British Literature:
After 1700
American Literature:
Before 1900
American Literature:
After 1900
British or American Literature:
Any Period
Any Graduate Level Course
COURSE
#
TITLE OF COURSE
PROF
SEM
Any Graduate Level Course
Any Graduate Level Course
Any Graduate Level Course
Any Graduate Level Course
Research Tools (Language Requirement):
Date requirement was satisfied or date you intend to
Language
take the exam/class.
Unit Tally
1._______ Total CGU units completed to date.
2._______ Units Remaining for MA Degree (40 units required for MA)
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UNITS
Appendix II: Distribution Requirement Checklist – M.A. in Literature and Film
(Please see the English Program Student Handbook for complete requirements)
Name:
ID #:
Date:
The M.A. degree requires 40 units: ten seminars of 4 units each, usually taken over a
two year period, with no more than twelve units a semester following the distribution
below. In addition, four of the ten seminars must be film courses.
DISTRIBUTION
REQUIREMENT
COURSE #
TITLE OF COURSE
PROF
British Literature:
Before 1700
British Literature:
After 1700
American Literature:
Before 1900
American Literature:
After 1900
British or American
Literature: Any Period
CGU
Film Course:
CGU:
Film Course:
Film Course:
Film Course:
Any Graduate Level Course:
Research Tools (Language Requirement):
Date requirement was satisfied or date you
Language
intend to take the exam/class.
Unit Tally
1._______ Total CGU units completed to date.
2._______ Units Remaining for MA Degree (40 units required)
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SEMESTER
SCHOOL
Appendix III: Plan for Qualifying Examinations Sample Form
Student Name:
Student ID:
Chair of Exam Committee:
Major Exam:
Topic:
Faculty Name:
Email Address:
Minor Exam 1:
Topic:
Faculty Name:
Email Address:
Minor Exam 2:
Topic:
Faculty Name:
Email Address:
Have you contacted your committee to arrange
your oral exam?
Return this form to
School of Arts and Humanities Office
831 North Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 607-3335
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Appendix IV: Sample Timetable for Ph.D. Degree
Stage/Step
Time
Register For
TAKE COURSEWORK
1 to 2 years
ENG # (coursework, 4 units
per seminar)
Satisfy Distribution
Requirement
Pass Language Exams
While taking coursework
including T-Course in 2nd year
Anytime during coursework
stage (Americanists must
complete at least 6 months
prior to taking Qualifying
Exams)
PREPARE FOR
QUALIFYING EXAMS
For Americanists, minimum of
1 year required after finishing
coursework and rectifying
incomplete grades
Take Qualifying Exams
Exams are given twice each
year, usually in August and
February
Submit Dissertation Proposal
Within 6 months after passing
the Qualifying Exams
Advance to Candidacy
Upon Dissertation
Committee’s approval of
Proposal
WRITE DISSERTATION
At least 1 year
Take Final Oral Exam on
Dissertation (Defense)
Upon completion of
Dissertation; arranged with the
Dissertation Committee
File and Publish Dissertation
After passing the Final Oral
Examination
At CGU Convocation held
each year in early May
Graduate
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ENG 498 Independent
Research (up to 8 units,
usually 2-4 per semester,
preferably leaving at least 2
units to use for ENG 495
Dissertation Research)
ENG 495 Dissertation
Research (preferably at least 2
units, until 72-unit
requirement is met, then ENG
499 Doctoral Study)
Appendix V: English Department Doctoral Program Checklist
Research Tool #1:
Research Tool #2:
Date Completed:
Date Completed:
Complete 64 units of coursework (including any transfer units up to 24 units, required English
courses, the Transdisciplinary course, and any incompletes)
Date Completed:
Enroll in Independent Research to study for qualifying examinations
Date Completed:
Pass the written and oral qualifying examinations
Date Completed:
Enroll in Doctoral Research while researching and writing Dissertation Proposal
Date Completed:
Form dissertation committee for Advancing to Candidacy
Chair:
Member:
Member:
Hold Dissertation Proposal Committee:
Date Completed:
Obtain committee approval of the dissertation
Date Completed:
Pass the oral defense of the dissertation
Date Completed:
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Appendix VI: Resource and Reference Materials in the SAH Office
Job Search Resources
MLA Online Job Listings (please contact the School of Arts & Humanities office for login
information)
Sample Exams
Ph.D. Qualifying Exams (in the six-field format)
Sample Documents
Curriculum Vitae
Dissertation Proposals and Abstracts
Reading Lists/Bibliographies
Tertiary Fields Reading Lists for the Ph.D. qualifying exams in the six-field format
Twentieth Century American Literature Secondary Bibliography
American Literature to 1900 Secondary Bibliography
Literary Criticism
Feminist Criticism/Women’s Studies Bibliography
Film Bibliography
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Appendix VII: Advising/Registration FAQs
Why do we need an advising policy? The purpose of this new policy is to ensure that you
receive advising from your advisor or, if your advisor is on leave, from the chair of your
department/program at least once each fall and spring semester. Regular review of your
academic progress and program requirements by your advisor should help ensure you take the
classes you need and meet your program requirements for your degree.
Who does the advising policy concern? This policy is required of all students—masters and
doctoral students, those in course work as well as those who have completed course work and are
working towards or are ABD.
How does it work? All students are required to check in with their advisor prior to registration
each semester. Students wishing to register for classes, continuous registration, or doctoral study
must first receive approval from their advisor. A hold on your account will be lifted only if your
academic advisor sends an email to Holly Domingo to lift the registration hold.
How can I find out who my advisor is? Go to your CGU portal to obtain this information
(https://my.cgu.edu) or contact Holly Domingo. If a faculty advisor has not been assigned to you
please contact your department chair for academic advising.
How do I contact my advisor? Each advisor has his/her way of managing the advising process.
Some will be using an electronic appointment system for in-person or telephone appointments
and some will ask that you email them about making an appointment. Some advisors will
conduct advising over email. You should receive a message from your department chair
explaining the process for your department or advisor-specific instructions.
What if my assigned advisor is on leave? If your assigned advisor is on leave, your department
chair will serve as your advisor for that semester.
What is the mandatory advising period? In the two weeks prior to registration, all students are
required to contact their advisor to obtain approval for their courses or continuous/doctoral
registration. Because some classes may be closed by the time you attempt to register, we
recommend that you get approval on fallback courses during your initial advising session.
Registration for the spring 2012 semester begins November 16th. Thus, the mandatory advising
period is Tuesday, November 1st through Tuesday, November 15th.
What happens if I don’t get advising and approval from my advisor? You will be unable to
register for the coming semester and a registration hold will remain on your account. A
registration hold on your account will be lifted only if your academic advisor sends an email to
Holly Domingo to lift the hold.
When can I register on-line? On-line registration will open on November 16th. Students who
have received academic advising and don’t have a registration hold on their account can go to
their CGU portal (https://my.cgu.edu) and register on-line.
Can I register on-line for all courses, including Independent Study, courses at the 5Cs,
and/or Claremont School of Theology courses? No. You must use paper registration for any
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Independent Study/Research course, any course at the 5Cs, and any course at Claremont School
of Theology. You must obtain your advisor’s approval for such courses. For registration forms
go to http://www.cgu.edu/pages/2140.asp. Please submit any registration form to Holly
Domingo.
If I change my mind and want to register for courses not approved by my academic
advisor, do I need to set up another advising appointment? Once the registration hold is lifted
from your account, an honor system is in place. However, we recommend that you get approval
on fallback courses during your initial advising session. If you need to discuss other courses with
your academic advisor, this can be done over email.
Will academic advising lift all of my holds? No. If you have other holds on your account (i.e.
outstanding balance, academic probation, etc.) please contact the appropriate office to clear those
holds.
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Appendix VIII: Interfolio FAQs
1. What does the service cost?
The basic account for file and management service costs $19 for one year, $39.90 for three years,
or $57.00 for five years.
Fileholders pay a delivery fee when sending application materials to an institution or
organization. Delivery costs depend upon the options you choose, but the least expensive is for
uploading to on-line applications:
Online Application $6 first document, $1 each additional to same institution. Deliveries will be
processed within three business days.
For example, let’s say the applicant is sending an application letter, a personal statement, and a
writing sample as one document, plus 4 letters of recommendation to ten different universities.
The cost for the entire application per university/application would be $6.
2. How do I request to have my confidential letters of recommendation sent via Interfolio
rather than to my professor?
If your online application asks you to provide the email address of your letter writer, you can use
the Interfolio Online Application delivery service to submit your letters of recommendation.
Here are the step by step instructions:
Step 1. Log in to your Interfolio account, from your Home, Dashboard click on "Start a
Delivery" or on your Deliveries page click on the "Add Delivery" tab. Locate the link that
says "Click here if your online application requires that you enter the email addresses of
your writers". This link is right underneath Step 1 on the Add Delivery page.
Step 2. Now you are on the Create an Online Application Delivery page. Locate the document
you need to have uploaded and copy its unique document email address. (Each document
that you need to have uploaded will have its own email address.)
Step 3. Log in to your online application and paste your document's unique email address into
the field that asks for your evaluator's email address. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each
evaluator.
Step 4. Monitor your email. Interfolio will send you an email indicating that your online
application delivery has been created. (If you do not receive an email from Interfolio
within one business day from the time you enter your writer's email address into the
online application, please contact help@interfolio.com.)
Step 5. Complete your delivery transaction by logging in to Interfolio. Navigate to your
Pending Deliveries page and you will see that for each letter requested, a separate Online
Application Delivery is created. Confirm that the correct document is going to the correct
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institution. Click Check Out to complete your transaction.
3. How much does it cost to use the online application delivery for letters of reference?
When we proxy into an application to upload a letter, this particular delivery
method is priced at $6 for the first letter and $1 for each subsequent letter to the
same application. This is referred to as an "online application delivery" and has a
processing time of 1-3 business days after the delivery is purchased
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