Frequently Asked Questions for Current Students in the Language, Literacy, and Culture Ph.D. Program
(Last Updated: 12/01)

1. What is the average length of time required for completion of the
program?

Most students take 1 or 2 courses a semester--and will probably take at least one summer course--so it should take approximately three years to complete the program and their comprehensive exams. Then the dissertation . . . .

2. As a current student, can I take the first couple of semesters at a slow rate (one course at a time), and then pick up the pace later?

Yes, so long as you stay within the time allotted for completion of course work.

3. Is there a time limit on the program that one must follow?

A student must be admitted to candidacy within five years after admission to the doctoral program. All program requirements for the degree, including the dissertation and final oral examination, must be completed within four years after admission to candidacy.

4. If needed, can a person take a leave of absence?

Yes. The leave of absence is now offered as a "course," LLC 999. A student may register for this one-semester leave of absence through the campus-wide computerized registration system after being granted permission by the Graduate Director or the Program Assistant. She/He should also write a letter to the Program Director explaining the reasons for the leave of absence. A copy of this letter will be put in the student's file and another copy will be submitted to the Graduate School.

Note that all degree-seeking students must respect the registration deadlines as established by the registrar prior to each semester for all courses, including leaves of absence. Students should apply for a leave of absence during the regular registration period of the semester in which they wish to take the leave of absence.

Students must keep in mind that continuous enrollment is needed to maintain degree-seeking status and future registration privileges. If not continuously registered, the student will need to contact the Graduate School to have the registration block removed and resume courses.

If a student has not maintained continuous enrollment and needs to request a retroactive leave of absence, she/he should contact the Program Director immediately. She will then initiate the process of securing the leave of absence for past semesters.

5. What should I do if I change my address after enrolling in the program?

Whenever you change your mailing address, please notify UMBC by logging into myUMBC and following the instructions for address changes. This is particularly important for new students who may have only their previous non-local address on record with UMBC. If students do not submit their current mailing address to UMBC, bills and other notices will be delayed, possibly resulting in late fees and missed information.

6. Do you accept credits attained from another graduate program at UMBC or another institution? If so, how many?

You can transfer in graduate credits from either UMBC or another institution, but the number depends on your focus in the Ph.D. program and the courses you are seeking to transfer. Discretion to permit the transfer of credits is held by the Program Director and the student's advisor.

7. Is there a formal procedure for transferring credits?

A procedure involving forms sent to the Graduate School is not necessary for the transfer of credits. The decision to transfer credits is made on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Program Director and the student's advisor. A departmental form indicating the transfer of courses will be completed at the time of transfer and will be placed in the student's file.

8. How flexible is the option to take classes at other UMS institutions?

With prior approval from your advisor and the Program Director, it is possible to take classes at other UMS institutions and have them apply to the LLC Ph.D. degree.

9. Does the program offer courses through distance education?

There are some courses offered as part of certain programs of study which may be taken online. At the present time, these include EDUC 602, EDUC 603, EDUC 605, EDUC 643, and EDUC 647.

10. When and how should I choose an advisor?

A student may begin investigating faculty research interests by consulting the current edition of the Graduate Catalogue which lists the faculty's research interests or the departmental/faculty webpage. Students may also request copies of a faculty member's journal articles. During the initial advisement session with the Program Director, some suggestions for an advisor will be discussed. Students should also talk with faculty members to determine whose research interests are most in harmony with his/her own research interests. After completing this process, and in consultation with the Program Director, the student should choose an advisor by the beginning of his/her second semester of study.

11. Can the dissertation be on an applied subject, for example, the design and execution of a new community project?

Absolutely, and the program also has an internship which can serve for the data-gathering stage. Each student's program of study must have a research focus, however.

12. I want to do an internship this semester. What do I need to do?

A student who wishes to take LLC 891: Internship, needs to fill out the Internship application form, available from the Program Assistant. The site supervisor and the student's advisor must sign the form.

In order to register for it, the student must complete a course reservation form, also available from the Program Assistant. The Program Director and the student's advisor must sign the form.

Note that for fall and spring semesters, the student must register for the course using his/her advisor's section number and STARS code. The section number does not change for a given faculty member from semester to semester, but the STARS code for LLC 891 changes every semester. For the summer and winter semesters, the general STARS code for LLC 891, listed on myUMBC and in the Schedule of Classes, is used to register.

Students are asked to note the deadlines for registration.

13. I want to do an independent study this semester. What do I need to do?

A student who wishes to take LLC 892: Independent Study, needs to fill out the Independent Study application form, available from the Program Assistant. The supervising faculty member must sign the form.

In order to register for it, the student must complete a course reservation form, also available from the Program Assistant. The Program Director and the student's advisor must sign the form. Note that for fall and spring semesters, the student must register for the course using the supervising faculty member's section number and STARS code. The section number does not change for a given faculty member from semester to semester, but the STARS code for LLC 892 changes every semester.

For the summer and winter semesters, the general STARS code for LLC 891, listed on myUMBC and in the Schedule of Classes, is used to register. Students are asked to note the deadlines for registration.

14. I have finished my core courses and am ready to take my comprehensive exams. What do I need to do?

Comprehensive exams are offered only in January and August of each year. Students have the opportunity to adapt questions (one each from three of his/her four core courses) generated by the professors who taught the core courses which they took, to his/her research interests. The course instructors decide upon the final form of the adapted questions.

Qualifying students are e-mailed the three approved, adapted questions. They have ten days, (including two weekends), to submit their answers. The response to each question must not exceed ten, double-spaced pages with one-inch margins.

Student responses will be evaluated by the course instructor and one other member of the LLC faculty designated by the Program Director. In the event of different evaluations, a third faculty member will be asked to read the response. The evaluation method will be pass/fail.

Students ready to take their comprehensive exams should obtain a more detailed version of the examination policy from the Program Assistant.

15. I am ready to begin my dissertation research. What should I do?

Those who are ready to begin their dissertation work should register for LLC 890: Research Proposal Seminar.

Those who wish to register for this course must fill out a course reservation form and have it signed by their advisor and the Program Director.

16. Are there any restrictions or rules regarding the makeup of a student's five-member dissertation committee?

Since the LLC Program is interdisciplinary in nature, a student's committee could theoretically be composed of five members from one of the cooperating departments or five members each from different departments.

17. I have a friend interested in the LLC Program, but I can't remember the Program Assistant's e-mail address. How can I put my friend in contact with the Program Assistant?

There is a new e-mail address, <llc@umbc.edu> This e-mail is easy to remember and suitable for all inquiries to the Program Assistant from either current or prospective students. If the received mail is better answered by the Program Director or a particular faculty member, it will be appropriately forwarded.