Information page of frequently asked questions for students wishing to apply.
How do I apply to the Program?
What is the cutoff date for applications?
Do you admit students in the Fall and Spring?
Is this an M.A. program?
Is it a full time program?
Is there funding available?
What about GRE's?
What about TOEFL/IELTS?
How many credits do I need to complete the Program?
How long to degree?
Do we place our students?
If I have an M.A. will I be able to transfer my credits?
Students outside the program wishing to take our courses
How do I apply to the Program?
Go to: gradstudy.rutgers.edu and complete an online application.
To complete the application, you will need to know the institutional code (R2790).
We require three (3) letters of recommendation, a personal statement (1 to 2 pages single spaced) that describes your academic background, your research interests, and any other information you consider relevant to your scholarly profile, a writing sample, about 20 pages double spaced, demonstrating the applicant's abilities as a literary critic (either one 20-page paper or two 10-page papers is acceptable), a curriculum vita, all relevant transcripts (undergraduate and graduate), Test Scores: The Admissions Committee does NOT consider GRE test scores (subject or general) in its deliberations, and we do not accept GRE scores from our applicants. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test scores is required if your undergraduate education was completed in a non-English speaking country. Please see complete details regarding exemptions and additional TOEFL requirements by visiting: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/information/international-students. All supporting documentation should be uploaded electronically into the application. There is a $70.00 fee required with the application. We will notify you before folders are reviewed if we do not have all your information.
What is the cutoff date for applications?
The deadline is December 15th annually.
Do you admit students in the Fall and Spring?
Our students are admitted in the fall only.
This is a Ph.D. Program. Rutgers has M.A. programs in Camden (Phone: (856) 225-6121) and Newark (Phone: (973) 353-5279.
Ours is a full-time program with no evening or weekend classes and no summer classes.
Students admitted to the PhD program are fully funded for six years. Students will receive a minimum of two years of fellowship support, typically the first year and fifth year, and will ordinarily begin teaching in their second year, supported by a TAship. The remaining years will be funded by a combination of departmental fellowships and TAships. Students are also eligible to apply for competitive external and internal fellowships, such as those offered by the Rutgers Center for Cultural Analysis and Institute for Research on Women.
The Admissions Committee does NOT consider GRE test scores (subject or general) in its deliberations, and we do not accept GRE scores from our applicants.
A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test scores is required if your undergraduate education was completed in a non-English speaking country. Please see complete details regarding exemptions and additional TOEFL requirements by visiting: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/information/international-students.
How many credits do I need to complete the Program?
You must have 42 credits of coursework, 6 Reading credits (which are the preparation for your orals exam), and 24 Research credits before you can defend your dissertation.
An average of 6-7 years; some may take more than others.
The graduate program is very active in assisting students to obtain positions in higher education by means of a vigorous job placement & careers program.
If I have an M.A. will I be able to transfer my credits?
Students entering with an M.A. may not transfer credits. However, they will have the option of using prior coursework, where appropriate, to meet up to (2) distribution requirements. The Associate Director will determine which, if any, courses are eligible for this purpose. All students in the program take 12 courses. Students entering with an MA may use the reduction in distribution requirements to specialize earlier and to enroll in an article publication workshop. In consultation with department advisors, entering students will design a program that best meets individual needs and preparation.
Students outside the program wishing to take our courses
Whether or not the students are enrolled at Rutgers, they must contact the faculty member to ask permission to take their course. Once permission is granted and if they are Rutgers students they should contact our office for a special permission number. If they are NOT a Rutgers student, they must contact Admissions to apply for non-matriculated admission and pay a $70.00 fee. They will also have to contact our office for a special permission number. If students are enrolled in one of the Consortium Universities/Colleges (CUNY Graduate Center/Columbia University/Columbia University Teachers College/Fordham University/New School University/New York University/University of Pennsylvania/Princeton University/SUNY Stony Brook), they should contact the appropriate office at their institution for the Inter-University Registration form. If a special permission number is required the student would then contact our office.