Deadlines

This page provides a convenient reference for deadlines in the English department’s graduate programs.
A downloadable, PDF version of this schedule can be found here.

Deadline for PhD Admission:

Due February 1 for full considerations for scholarship funding for the following Fall semester.

Any applications received after that date will be for admission only.

To apply to the Ph.D. in English, you must submit official transcripts showing conferral of your bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 24 credits in English or American literature. You must also possess at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the undergraduate level, with a 3.5 or better in English courses.

We do not require the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test along with your application, though you may include your scores if you wish.

You must submit three letters of recommendation, two of which come from an academic reference and attest to your work as a student. You must also submit a recent sample of written work, as well as a personal statement detailing your professional goals.

Applicants who apply with an M.A. or M.F.A. in English may receive up to 18 credits of advanced standing, with approval from the graduate director and the Dean’s office.

Department Contact
Granville Ganter, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
Department of English
St. John Hall, Room B-40
ganterg@stjohns.edu

Admissions Contact

Office of Graduate Admissions
718-990-1601
gradhelp@stjohns.edu

Deadlines for Graduation (MA and PhD)

The deadlines for defenses for both MA theses and PhD dissertations vary year by year, but they are set by the Graduate Dean’s office and are not negotiable. The suggested deadlines for distributing Reader’s Copies to committee members allow three weeks for each faculty member to read and review the dissertation. Individual committees may require slightly more or less time; students should be in close contact with all committee members at the start of the semester during which they will defend.

For Doctoral students who wish to graduate in September:
Defenses must be completed by mid-September. (Date from Grad Dean’s office.)
Final copies of the disseratin to the Dean’s office by Monday, September 24

For Doctoral Students who wish to graduate in January:
Reader’s copies should be distributed by early October.
The oral dissertation defense must be scheduled and completed by early November.
Dissertation copies due in Dean’s Office for review for January degree conferral by mid-November.
Final copy of the dissertation to the Dean’s office by early December.

 For Doctoral students who wish to graduate in May:
Reader’s copies should be distributed by early February.
The oral dissertation defense must be scheduled and completed by early April.
Copies of the dissertation are due to the Dean’s office for May degree conferral by late April.
Final copy of the dissertation on watermarked paper to the Dean’s office by very early May.

For Master’s Students who wish to graduate in Jan:
All Masters’ Portfolios or Theses must be submitted to the department office by mid-November.

For Master’s Students who wish to graduate in May 2019:
All Masters’ Portfolios or Theses must be submitted to the department office by late APril.

If you have questions about any of these deadlines or processes, please consult with your mentor and committee. You may also contact Dr. Granville Ganter, DGS (ganterg@stjohns.edu).