Transfer Credit/Entering with MA

[English2013:)]

I have an MA in English from a reputable school.  It seems that there's quite a range of how many credits different schools will transfer into their PhD programs.  I've seen anything from 12-30.  Is 15 a decent amount?  Is this something I can negotiate?  Also, what is a decent amount of time for the PhD, if you're entering with an MA?  I've heard anything between 3.5-6.

[dmmar]

This varies by school. I asked one of my professors the same question, and his response was that most PhD programs don't allow that many transfer credits because they want you to go through their program. I can't imagine getting out of anything more than a year of course work from MA transfer credits, at the very most. I've seen programs that don't allow any at all. 

 

I'm actually in the opposite position—I have a MA, but I don't want to transfer any of my credits. This is partly because I did my undergraduate work in Philosophy and French (and took zero literature courses), and so I feel like I would really benefit from the extra courses. I think I've encountered at least one school who has accepted me that assumes that I'll want to transfer credits and that I'll only be in the program four years, though (they haven't been totally clear about this and I haven't figured out a graceful way of asking yet). So, I'm basically wondering how they'll respond if I don't want to transfer credits, and how that might affect my funding.

[brigadierpudding]

All three of my acceptances are admitting me into the PhD phase of their programs, with their MA requirements fulfilled by my Master's degree.

[rising_star]

It's usually not negotiable because the number of credits you can transfer in is typically capped by the Graduate School and laid out in its handbook. Now, you might be able to negotiate your way up to whatever the max is but, it's unlikely because they want to train you and you want (or should want) to take graduate seminars with the faculty that might be on your committee.

[Troppman]

The program that i've (graciously) accepted an offer from has course requirements for the PhD track, and I can petition to have some of my MA coursework stand in lieu of the PhD coursework. Although I want to get on with my exams and writings ASAP, and I think that I am prepared to do so given my MA coursework (and thesis/other professional development stuff), I'm not sure whether or not I should petition. After all, the PhD coursework is only six classes total and this program offers the coolest seminars that i've ever heard off. Also, 6 courses doesn't seem as daunting as the additional 30+ hours that some (many/most?) programs require. Coursework is always a good time to take notes, and write pieces to be set aside, for dissertation sections/exam time. The same goes for language training; I have already met the requirement through the option of previous coursework, but if I can acquire funding to go do another language immersion program (German) I'de much rather do so! If it's just another reading competency exam then i'll just petition or take it and get it over with.