What is a “Ph.D.?”A Ph.D. is an advanced academic degree generally awarded to students who study approximately three to five years beyond an undergraduate degree. Literally translated as “teacher of philosophy,” those who earn a doctor of philosophy in Literature will need to either complete a thesis or dissertation before they can hope to fully matriculate from a university. Students also have to orally defend their work in front of a departmental committee which is generally comprised of faculty and other administrators. Students also must take, in some circumstances, subject exams or exit testing. Know that getting a Ph.D. requires a serious level of commitment. Here are some steps to keep in mind.
Instructions
1. Have a solid grade point average (GPA) and high SAT or ACT scores. If you want to properly prepare for Ph.D. literature programs, know that you will have to have both a decent GPA and high test scores for high school and college. You will also need to have taken your SATs or ACTs as no college will accept people without appropriate entrance exams. The SAT and ACT are two standardized tests typically taken by those who wish to pursue higher academic study beyond high school. You will also have to have a high school diploma to participate in PhD programs. GED's may not be acceptable for some universities.
2. Get a bachelor's degree. Be sure to major in English, Journalism, Communications or an Interdisciplinary course program. Know there may be many subcategories within each major. It may also be a good idea to possibly minor in additional areas, as well. Certification programs also prepare undergraduates for higher-level study. Consider a minor or certification in Technical Writing, for example.
3. Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). If you want to prepare for a Ph.D. literature program, know that you will have to score well in this graduate school entrance exam. Most schools will not accept students who score less than 1000.
4. Get a master's degree. The requirements for obtaining a master's degree vary from state to state. In many circumstances, you will have to get at least 33 credit hours of coursework past a bachelor's degree. You will need to take 5000 and 6000-level course work in English, Journalism, Writing, Rhetoric and possibly Humanities. Some graduate schools will require you take additional History classes, as well. Know that in order to be accepted into a master's level program, you will need to have a college GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, you will need letters of recommendation and a departmental "face to face" interview.
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