Ph.D. in Hispanic and Lusophone Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics
A Doctor of Philosophy is expected to make scholarly contributions that will expand and enrich his or her own field of specialization through the development of new areas of research. The degree is awarded in recognition of high attainment and ability in a special subject field as demonstrated by passing the required examinations and successfully defending a thesis that is based on original research and that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s field.
Degree Program
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers a Ph.D. in Hispanic and Lusophone Literatures and Linguistics. Within the Ph.D. Program there are four areas of emphasis:
- Spanish Peninsular Literature
- Spanish-American Literature
- Lusophone Literatures
- Hispanic Linguistics
While the student's program involves at least some work in all areas within the Department, the focus shall be in his or her area of emphasis.
Other Considerations
The Ph.D. Program in Hispanic and Lusophone Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics has the following specifications:
- A minimum of seventeen graduate courses (3 or 4 credit courses) beyond the B.A. is required.
- Those students entering our Ph.D. program with an MA from other institutions must take a minimum of seven semester courses within our program.
- Students may be asked to take additional courses for a total of twenty-one if, upon a formal review of the student's program by the Committee on Graduate Study, this measure is deemed to be necessary for the purpose of completing the student's preparation;
- Students are encouraged to work with as many professors as possible;
Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits in a minor field or supporting program. Additional credits for the minor may be required by the unit in which courses are taken. Work in supporting programs is decided jointly by the student and the adviser, and is approved by the Graduate Study Committee. In either case, this Graduate School requirement entails at least 5 courses outside the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
Ph.D. Degree Program Information
Students are expected to file an official program for the degree during their second year of study. The form should list all course work, completed and proposed, that will be taken in fulfillment of degree requirements in the major field as well as in the minor field or supporting program. The form should also list transfer credits, if any. If the student's major field requires proficiency in one or more foreign languages, these should be specified as well. The degree form is available in 316 Johnston Hall. The members of the student's preliminary oral examining committee are appointed by the dean of the Graduate School on recommendation of the faculty in the major field at the time the student's official degree program is approved.
Students may request from the Graduate School, 316 Johnston Hall (612-625-3490) the transfer of course credits by including the courses on the degree program. In all cases, official transcripts of the work must be attached to the degree program form, unless they have already been included in the student's Graduate School file. Transfer of graduate credit is not allowed for courses completed through independent (correspondence) study, completed through extension or special categories at other institutions, or taken before the awarding of a baccalaureate degree.
From Adult Special or Summer Session: Students admitted to and registered in the Graduate School may transfer to their doctoral programs the graduate-level credits earned in their first academic quarter as adult special students (or in their first summer session, including both summer terms if registered in the same calendar year) at the University of Minnesota.
From Continuing Education and Extension: A maximum of 12 credits of graduate-level work completed in Continuing Education (CEE) may be transferred to the doctoral program. This applies only to credits earned at the University of Minnesota; extension credits earned at other institutions may not be transferred.
CEE Tuition Differential: For all Continuing Education and Extension (CEE) coursework taken fall of 1980 or later and then transferred to a graduate degree program, students must pay the difference between the CEE rate and the Graduate School rate in effect at the time the credits were taken.
From Other Graduate Institutions
Graduate credits earned at other recognized graduate institutions may be applied to doctoral degrees if the coursework was taken as an enrolled, graduate-degree-seeking student and the credits appear on official graduate school transcripts. In case of a transfer from a non-U.S. institution, the credits must have been earned in a program judged by the Graduate School to be comparable to a graduate degree program of a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
Changing Approved Program
Once approved, the program must be fulfilled in every detail to meet graduation requirements. Changes in the program that are found necessary or desirable should be requested by completing a Graduate School petition form. Any course substitution must be approved by the adviser.
Minor or Supporting Fields requirement
For the doctoral degree, at least 12 credits must be taken in the Minor field or supporting program.
Supporting Fields Program
The Supporting Fields program for the Ph.D. involves completion of at least five courses chosen to complement the student's program. These courses, which may include cross-listed offerings, must be chosen from programs in other departments. The credit work must be composed of a coherent pattern of courses, possibly embracing several disciplines.
Minor Program
The Ph.D. Minor program is defined by the programmatic unit in which the Minor is taken. It usually entails completion of several more courses than does the Supporting Fields program and requires prior consultation with the Director of Graduate Study of that unit who must approve the program. The Minor option may require students to take written preliminary examinations in the fields included.
Program Time Limit
All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed and the degree awarded within five calendar years after passing the preliminary oral examination.
Extension
Students who are unable to complete the degree within the five-year limit may petition the Graduate School for an extension of up to one additional year. To ensure timely consideration, petitions should be filed no later than early in the quarter in which the time limit expires. If a petition is approved, the student is notified of the expectations for progress and completion of the degree.
Termination
If a petition for extension is denied, the student is terminated from the doctoral candidacy and from the graduate program. Students who have been terminated under such circumstances may apply for readmission to the Graduate School. The faculty in the major field and the Graduate School would set any readmission conditions on the student's resumption of work toward the degree.
When performance is unsatisfactory in terms of grades or normal progress toward the student's degree objective, graduate student status may also be terminated by the Graduate Studies Committee.