PhD in Editorial Studies

NOTE: Admission to the institute’s PhD program is closed. Requirements for students currently enrolled in the PhD program are listed below.

The PhD in Editorial Studies program prepares students for positions in publishing, academia, serious journalism, and librarianship.

Course Requirements

Eight term courses (32 units) are required for PhD students with an MA degree, and 16 courses (64 units) for those with a BA. Of the required courses, it is expected that students take the following:

• CAS EI 501/701 The Theory and Practice of Literary Editing
• CAS EI 507 Publishing Procedures
• CAS EI 508 Editing Across the Disciplines
• CAS EI 509 History of the Book

Remaining coursework typically consists of two directed studies with the student’s dissertation advisor, and two related courses in another department at the University, all of which must be relevant to the subject of the dissertation.

Language Requirement

There is no general foreign language requirement for the PhD in Editorial Studies; however, it may be necessary in some areas of specialization for students to demonstrate proficiency in a second language. The codirectors of the Editorial Institute will assess each graduate student’s specific language requirement according to the needs of their research.

Qualifying Examinations

A candidate for the PhD will be required, normally upon completion of coursework, to present for examination by the directors of the institute a statement of editorial policy and procedures and a sample of editorial work that demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of the appropriate contexts, for example through annotation.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in dissertations representing original research or creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Department Chair/Program Director. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field and demonstrate a mastery of their field of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

PhD students who opt out of completing the doctoral degree and choose to receive an MA should refer to the MA Program.