English Department

Department Chairperson: Darlene Farabee, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator: Lisa Ann Robertson, Ph.D.

Department of English
212 Dakota Hall
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: 605-658-6850
englgradcoordinator@usd.edu 
www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/english

FACULTY

Professors:

John Dudley, Ph.D., Tulane University. Specialization: 19th- and 20th-Century American Literature and Culture, Realism and Naturalism, African American Literature, Race and Gender Studies.
Lee Ann Roripaugh, M.F.A., Indiana University. Specialization: Creative Writing (Poetry), 20th- and 21st-Century American Poetry, Asian-American Literature, Queer Theory.

Associate Professors:

Prentiss Clark, Ph.D., State University of New York, Buffalo.  Specialization: 18th- and 19th-Century American Literature, Scholarly History, Literature and Philosophy. 
Darlene Farabee, Ph.D., University of Delaware. Specialization: 16th- and 17th-Century British Literature, Shakespeare, Drama, Early Modern Travel Narratives, Performance Theory.
Paul Formisano, Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Specialization: Rhetoric and Composition, Ecocriticism, American Literature.
Benjamin Hagen, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island. Specialization: 20th and 21st Century British/Anglophone Literature, Philosophy, Pedagogy, Affect, Age Studies.
Lisa Ann Robertson, Ph.D., University of Alberta. Specialization: 18th- and 19th-Century British Literature, Theories of Mind and Imagination, Cognitive Theory.
Skip Willman, Ph.D., Indiana University. Specialization: Critical Theory, Contemporary American Literature, Marxist and Lacanian Theory.

Assistant Professor:

Leah McCormack, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction), Magical Realism, Trauma Studies.
Shira Dentz, (Visiting Professor) Ph.D., University of Iowa. Specialization: English Literature & Creative Writing. 

Instructor: 

Kenneth Green, M.A., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Writing Pedagogy, Professional Writing.

Lecturer:

Duncan Barlow, Ph.D., University of Denver. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction, Poetry, and Non-Fiction), Literature of the Absurd, Critical Theory.

Writer in Residence:

Pete Dexter, B.A., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction, Screenwriting).

DEGREE

Master of Arts  
Accelerated Master of Arts, Plan B only  

SPECIALIZATION

Creative Writing
Literature

Doctor of Philosophy  

SPECIALIZATION

Literary Studies: Creative
Literary Studies: Critical

Program Description

Explore a wide range of English literature and classes in nineteenth- and twentieth-century British and American literature, from Shakespeare to the postmodern novel. Both selective and small in size, the programs emphasize a solid foundation in general literary studies that provide you with the broad knowledge to be able to work in your own areas of thesis specializations. The degrees offer excellent preparation for further graduate study or for employment in any field that values critical thinking, strong writing skills and research experience. You will take coursework distributed across a variety of fields while pursuing your area of interest. Choose from specializations in creative writing and literature at the master’s level or literary studies in creative or critical concentrations at the doctoral level. Most graduates of the English Ph.D. program pursue careers in higher education. The program is built around the English Department’s seminar offerings and focuses on literature from 1800 to the present along with creative writing workshops. 

The English department sponsors two periodicals and a press that can provide you with valuable experiences in publishing. You will also have opportunities to present your work and meet scholars. The John R. Milton Writers’ Conference takes place every other year and features writers such as Maxine Hong Kingston, Percival Everett and Erika Wurth. Our Colloquium Series features faculty member and graduate student work as well as visits by nationally recognized scholars, such as Tim Brennan (Minnesota), Patricia A. Matthew (Montclair) and Joel Pace (Wisconsin-Eau Claire), who give public lectures on campus, hold pedagogy workshops and meet informally with graduate students in English. Creative writers from around the country regularly read their work on campus. 

WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program. 

MASTER OF ARTS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with English translation) must accompany an application. Official transcripts of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for all students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Completion of a baccalaureate degree in English or its equivalent is required.  A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States: Applicants who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, For all other applicants, a minimum score of 105 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or 620 Paper-Based TOEFL  (PBT) or 260 (computer test) or 11 on the  TOEFL Essentials ; a minimum IELTS Academic score of 7.0; a minimum PTE score of 70; or a minimum Duolingo score of 125 is required for admission.
5. Applicants are required to submit a 1 to 2-page statement of purpose.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. A 10-15 page sample of critical writing on literature or a related topic is required. Applicants for the creative specialization should also submit a brief sample (15-20 pages) of creative writing. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing and whose academic background suggests significant capability in the study of literature (and creative writing, for applicants to that specialization).
7. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required.

Subject to departmental approval, those who do not meet all criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline:

• Fall Start
  • Priority Deadline: February 1
  • Final Deadline: July 15
• Spring Start
  • Final Deadline: December 1 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with English translation) must accompany an application. Official transcripts of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for all students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Completion of a Master’s degree in English or its equivalent is required.  A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States: Applicants who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 105 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or 620 Paper-Based TOEFL  (PBT) or 260 (computer test) or 11 on the  TOEFL Essentials ; a minimum IELTS Academic score of 7.0; a minimum PTE score of 70; or a minimum Duolingo score of 125 is required for admission.
5. Applicants are required to submit a 1 to 2-page statement of purpose.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. A 15-20 page sample of critical writing on literature is required. Applicants for the creative specialization must also submit a substantial sample of creative writing (at least 20 pages). Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing and whose academic background suggests significant capability in the study of literature (and creative writing, for applicants to that specialization).
7. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required.

Subject to departmental approval, those who do not meet all the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline:

• Fall Start
  • Priority Deadline: January 15
  • Final Deadline: April 15

Graduate Assistantships

The department’s major source of financial support for graduate students is the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), which is available on a competitive basis to students accepted into the Ph.D. and M.A. programs. Eligible graduate students can also apply for graduate administrative assistantships in University support centers, which also offer financial support. Applications received by the priority deadline will automatically be considered for a GTA unless the applicant indicates that such a position is not needed. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered for a GTA if one is available.

Student Learning Outcomes for English (M.A.)

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze literary works, authors, genres, topics, and time periods. 
2. Students will be able to write scholarly and/or creative works at a standard acceptable to the general academic and literary publishing communities. 
3. Students will be able to apply the conventions of the discipline to their own scholarship and professional development.

Student Learning Outcomes for English (Ph.D.)

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze literary works, authors, genres, topics, and time periods. 
2. Students will be able to write scholarly and/or creative works of publishable quality and consistent with the conventions of the discipline. 
3. Students will be able to apply the conventions of the discipline to their own scholarship and professional development.

Programs

• English (M.A.)
• English (M.A., J.D.)
• English (Ph.D.)