Resources for Literature and Languages Graduate Programs: Residency Requirements and PEP

The Ph.D. in English requires 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree or 60 semester hours beyond the master's, including 51 hours of coursework and a minimum of 9 dissertation hours (ENG 718). Beyond these course hours, you must also meet residency requirements based on your emphasis area. Literature and Rhetoric students must complete the residency requirement, while Applied Linguistics students must complete the Professional Evaluation Process.

Residency Requirements (Literature and Rhetoric)

East Texas A&M’s Ph.D. in English (Literature and Rhetoric emphases) is not intended to be completed fully online; however, you may complete up to 49 percent of your coursework online. Because this is not an online degree, you must prove what we call residency, which you can do in one of two ways:

  1. Serve as a Graduate Assistant Teacher of Record (GAToR) or Graduate Assistant Researcher (GAR) for at least one academic year. GAToRs and GARs will carry at least the minimum 6-credit-hour course load to maintain the assistantship each semester, and GAToRs must have successfully completed or be concurrently enrolled in the teaching practicum (ENG 675). GAToRs and GARs will be mentored and observed in their classrooms or in the Writing Center. In addition, students will be expected to observe others as they tutor and teach. Students are encouraged to participate in the English Graduates for Academic Development (EGAD) organization and to submit papers for presentation at regional and national conferences. Students must also maintain contact with the Doctoral Coordinator for English periodically to make sure they are on track to complete their degree.
  2. Without the one-year teaching or research assistantship and ENG 675, students are required to take no fewer than four classes each year. Additionally, students must maintain a portfolio of “residency activities” that contribute to professional development in their area of focus for each academic year prior to the completion of the comprehensive exam. The portfolio should document that development; in particular, the portfolio should be prefaced by a brief (2–3 page) reflective analysis of the activities for that year.

Examples of Residency Activities include:

  • Conferences and workshops (attendance, participation, organization, etc.)
  • Lectures and presentations
  • Professional development activities
  • Development of multimodal resources
  • Participation in student organizations (e.g. EGAD)

The Doctoral Coordinator will evaluate portfolios as part of students' annual review of academic progress. If professional development activities are judged inadequate, students will be informed within two weeks of the evaluation and asked to meet with the Doctoral Coordinator to make a plan to meet residency requirements.

Only students completing the Ph.D. in Literature and Rhetoric need to meet the above requirements. Students completing the Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics do not need to meet this requirement.

Professional Evaluation Process (Applied Linguistics)

On completion of 6 courses (18 credit hours) or two years in the program, whichever comes first, Ph.D. students will undertake a Professional Evaluation Process (PEP). This is usually done in consultation with the program advisor but may be another full time faculty member.

NOTE: For students who have completed their MA/MS in Applied Linguistics at ETAMU, the 18-hour rule does not apply.

Steps for the Professional Evaluation Process (after 18 credit hours)

  • Completion of 18 applicable graduate hours at a minimum GPA of 3.5 (i.e., no more than 3 Bs in the first 18 hours of coursework).
  • If applicable, performance in a teaching or research assistantship.
  • Evidence of engagement in professionalization activities in the field, which may include:
    • Joining a professional organization such as TESOL, AAAL, local/regional TESOL groups
    • Giving a professional presentation
    • Attending a regional/national/international conference
    • Attending workshops/symposia/guest lectures in person or online
    • Volunteer activities in literacy/refugee/library programs
  • One page career orientation plan: The plan should cover both short-term (during the Ph.D. Program) and long-term career plans/goals and the appropriate preparation plan.
  • Prepare an updated CV and other relevant information that can help the committee assess your professional engagement within the field.

Contact the Applied Linguistics Program Coordinator if you have any questions.

Only students completing the Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics need to meet the above requirements. Students completing the Ph.D. in Literature or Rhetoric do not need to meet this requirement.

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