Overview of Doctoral Program
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Slavic Languages & Literatures builds further on the foundational knowledge and the structured classroom learning that students engaged in during M.A. work. Working under the close mentorship of their advisors, Ph.D. students develop a minor in a related field, learn advanced pedagogical and interpretive strategies, continue to improve language skills, and engage in self-motivated, independent study to develop an area of specialization.
While most KU Ph.D. students find positions as academics, some choose to pursue professional positions in academic support, digital humanities, research, and government service. See Ph.D. Alumni on the Department’s website.
Areas of Concentration
Two concentrations are offered in the Ph.D. program:
- Slavic Literatures and Cultures
- Slavic Linguistics
Additional information regarding academic opportunities in culture, intellectual history, folklore, or language pedagogy is available on the departmental Ph.D. Overview.
Departmental Funding
The department does its best to provide funding in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) appointments to all incoming graduate students. GTA appointments are awarded for the academic year; .50 full-time equivalent (FTE) appointments come with:
- a competitive academic year (9 month) salary
- a 100% tuition waiver for all courses at KU
- 100% of student fees for 3 credits and the student wellness fee (for students enrolled in at least 3 hours) are covered.
- optional University-subsidized group health insurance
The appointments are guaranteed, based on funding availability and performance, for up to 3 years for M.A. students, 5 years for Ph.D. students and 6 years for students who receive both an M.A. and a Ph.D. at the University of Kansas. GTAs in the department receive thorough training in language instruction, close mentoring, and the opportunity to teach at a variety of levels, providing them with a strong base of teaching experience upon entering the job market.
Additional Funding
There are also university fellowships for truly outstanding students. Visit the Graduate Studies website for information about funding opportunities for KU graduate students.
Please see our Graduate Handbook for more details about our graduate programs.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Graduate Admission
Apply to the graduate program via the Graduate Studies online application system.
Application Materials:
- Statement of Academic Objectives (500 words)
- A short autobiographical essay (1-2 pages) in the target Slavic language you intend to study
- Writing Sample (5,000-7,000 words): This writing sample should represent your best work. A research paper from an upper level course is suitable
- The names and contact information of three references
- Copies of official transcripts from all institutions from which a degree was obtained, or that were attended post-bachelor's
- GRE scores, if you are a North American applicant (recommended but not required)
For additional information regarding departmental admissions requirements and the application process, please visit the graduate page of the Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies website.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Students admitted to Ph.D. work in Slavic Literatures and Cultures or Slavic Linguistics must also fulfill M.A. requirements and will be awarded a master's degree upon successful completion of the Ph.D. qualifying examination. Students also must fulfill all specific requirements in the concentration, master a western European language, complete and defend a professional Ph.D. portfolio, and write a dissertation.
Concentration in Slavic Literatures and Cultures
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| South Slavic Literature and Civilization | |
| Love, Lust and Liberty: Polish and Czech Film Adaptations | |
| The Russian Novel in the Age of Realism | |
| The Woman Question in Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature | |
| War and Violence Russian Literature and Film | |
| Biography of a City: _____ | |
| The Cultural Impact of Ottoman Empire on the South Slavs | |
| Nabokov | |
| Readings in Slavic Studies (English) | |
| Topics in: _____ | |
| Masterworks of Polish and Czech Literature | |
| Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian Cinema | |
| Dostoevsky | |
| Tolstoy | |
| The Russian Novel in the Age of Realism | |
| Russian Theatre and Drama from Stanislavski and Chekhov to the Present | |
| The Woman Question in Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature | |
| Post-Soviet Literature | |
| Russian and East European Science Fiction | |
| |
| Readings in Slavic Studies (English) | |
| |
| Topics in: _____ | |
| Total Hours | 24 |
Language Requirements:
- Oral and written competence in the Slavic language of choice* plus an orientation in its structure and history
- Reading competence in a second Slavic language* and a general knowledge of the history of its literature. This requirement can be satisfied by fluency in a relevant language, course work taken at KU, or course work taken at another institution.
Concentration in Slavic Linguistic
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| The Pragmatics of Slavic Languages | |
| The Language Landscape of Eastern Europe | |
| Readings in Slavic Linguistics | |
| Topics in: _____ | |
| Introduction to Language Teaching Research | |
| The Grammatical Categories of Russian: Linguistic Units, Functions and Meanings | |
| Old Church Slavic | |
| Seminar in Slavic Verbal Aspect | |
| Comparative Slavic Linguistics | |
| Seminar in Slavic and Eurasian Studies: ____ | |
| |
| Readings in Slavic Studies (English) | |
| |
| Topics in: _____ | |
| Total Hours | 24 |
Language Requirements:
- Oral and written competence in the Slavic language of choice*
- Detailed knowledge of the structure and history of a second Slavic language*, outside of the student's concentration, and reading competence in a third Slavic language*, except for students with a sub-concentration in second language studies. This requirement can be satisfied by fluency in a relevant language, course work taken at KU, or course work taken at another institution. Knowledge of at least one East, one West, and one South Slavic language is necessary
Research Skills & Responsible Scholarship Requirement
The university requires that every doctoral student have training in responsible scholarship and research skills pertinent to the field of research and appropriate to the doctoral level. This requirement must be met before taking the comprehensive oral exam. Graduate students in Slavic Languages and Literatures must demonstrate (through course work or examination) reading competence in a western European language, preferably French (FREN 601) or German (GERM 704). The student must also take part in all required graduate colloquia. These cover a variety of topics intended to promote and model responsible scholarship and professional development. Faculty and graduate students participate in three colloquia each semester. Issues of responsible scholarship are also imbedded in the curriculum.
Qualifying Examination
All students must take the qualifying examination to be admitted to Ph.D. work. For KU students, the Ph.D. qualifying examination also serves as a final exam for the M.A. in Slavic & Eurasian Studies. Students who hold the M.A. degree from another institution but begin Ph.D. work at KU are required to take the qualifying examination within 2 semesters of entry into the program.
Professional Ph.D. Portfolio & Oral Comprehensive Examination
This examination will serve as the Oral Comprehensive Exam and consists of a student's presentation and defense of their professional Ph.D. portfolio after fulfilling all other requirements for the Ph.D., with the exception of the dissertation. The professional Ph.D. portfolio includes the dissertation prospectus as well as other materials that document the student’s knowledge in the main concentration and secondary focus, ability to undertake research, and the skills necessary to traverse the profession independently.
The portfolio examination demonstrates that post-M.A. students in the Department have:
- Acquired the appropriate knowledge base,
- Developed the skills that will allow them:
- To identify a research question,
- To complete the dissertation successfully,
- To become competent and responsible teachers, researchers, and writers, and
- To embark on a lifetime of constant learning and continued scholarly evolution, regardless of their career path.
The portfolio examination provides post-M.A. students with an opportunity to:
- Take stock of their achievements, strengths, and weaknesses,
- Reflect on the quality of their progress through the program, and
- Outline their future intellectual or career trajectory.
Once coursework has been completed, students present the Portfolio formally to their committee. By this time, they must have fulfilled all requirements for the Ph.D. established by the Department and Graduate Studies with the exception of the Comprehensive Oral Exam and the dissertation itself. If students meet these criteria, they proceed to the Comprehensive Oral Examination required by the Department and Graduate Studies. The Comprehensive Oral Examination follows the formal submission of the portfolio. The oral examination demonstrates the student’s ability to:
- Defend the choice and direction of the dissertation concept,
- Respond intelligently and professionally in an oral interview situation on any academic topic,
- Engage spontaneously in a professional exchange of ideas.
Post-Oral Comprehensive Exam Enrollment
Upon passing the comprehensive examination, the student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree and is approved to proceed with their dissertation research and project. At least once each year after passing the comprehensive examination, the student must schedule a meeting with his or her dissertation committee to discuss progress towards the completion of the dissertation and any other concerns. Starting the semester following successful completion of the oral comprehensive exam, students must enroll in accordance with the Office of Graduate Studies’ Doctoral Candidacy Policy. This enrollment includes, but is not limited to, at least 1 dissertation hour every semester until graduation. See the Doctoral Candidacy policy for more information about this University level requirement.
Dissertation Defense
Students will write, defend and submit an appropriate dissertation: this demonstrates the student’s ability to undertake, plan, and complete a sustained piece of original research.
At the time of the comprehensive exam, the student should have a dissertation proposal ready to present to the graduate faculty of the department. The dissertation defense and the approved electronic submission of the dissertation is the final requirement of the program. SGES evaluates the dissertation according to a specific SGES Doctoral Learner Outcomes Rubric through the Office of Graduate Studies. Students should become familiar with this rubric and the stated expectations before they begin to write.
*Language courses taken to meet language requirements do not count towards the required 24 credit hour minimum.
Study Abroad
The department offers a semester study abroad program at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia, and in conjunction with the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, conducts summer institutes at universities in
Consult the Slavic department office or the Office of Study Abroad. Credit for non-KU programs is not automatic and is evaluated in consultation with the Slavic department undergraduate director.
Undergraduate and graduate students at KU are encouraged to spend a summer, semester, and/or year studying and conducting research in their country of interest.
Slavic Language Programs in Russia and Eastern Europe
KU students may take intermediate or advanced Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian at a 6-week summer institute in Croatia or attend a summer language program in Poland.
Graduate students at KU are encouraged to spend a summer, semester, and/or year studying and conducting research in their country of interest.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in the target language (BCMS, Polish, or Russian) at the ACTFL Advanced Low level or above.
- demonstrate broad understanding of the major periods, issues, and trends in their chosen area of specialization (Slavic linguistics, SLL, or REES).
- demonstrate ability to conduct original research in their area of specialization and communicate their research findings in clear academic writing.
