Graduate Study
The Graduate Program in English Language and Literature offers three degree options for the prospective applicant: the Ph.D., the M.F.A., and the Joint M.F.A./Ph.D.
The department enrolls about fifteen new students each year in the Ph.D. including one or two of those students admitted into the joint program. The program, designed to conclude in 5 years, is extremely flexible in regard to such matters as course selection, the design of examinations, and the election of minor subjects of concentration outside the department. Degree requirements include a Qualifying Examination in the second year, an Advancement to Candidacy Examination in the third year, and a final thesis examination.
The Creative Writing program offers an M.F.A. degree only, with concentrations in either poetry or fiction, concluding after 2 years with the M.F.A. thesis consisting of a book-length manuscript in the form of a collection of poems or short stories, or a novel. Each year the department enrolls only eight students, four in each concentration.
Every graduate student selects a Special Committee of faculty advisors. This system allows students to design their own courses of study within a broad framework laid down by the department, and it encourages a close working relationship between professors and students, promoting freedom and flexibility in the pursuit of the graduate degree. Teaching is also considered an integral part of training for the profession. The department offers a carefully supervised teaching experience of at least one year for every doctoral and M.F.A. candidate as part of the training for the degree.
Outside the classroom, graduate students in English often create forums or informal reading groups for teaching each other. Some are established gatherings and others are created and changed from year to year. In addition, the Department of English, as well as related fields, brings scholars and writers to Cornell for readings, talks, and seminars.