The D.Litt Degree

Hello, everyone!

It has been so long since I’ve written to you. I pray you are all doing well and staying warm. ☺️

I did a bit of soul searching this past year. I was so lost for a long period of time. I thought that I wanted to leave the education field. I figured I was ready to leave my teaching career behind, but I needed to land in the hospital once more in February 2023 to realize something: I truly do love teaching literature to young minds. Those kids are the reason why I got out of the hospital bed. ❤️

So, I’ve been working hard at my teaching job for the past year. Now that I’m healthy and back on my feet, I was thinking about pursuing my second dream. I am very passionate about literature, and I have my master’s degree from NYU. However, I was hoping to go all the way and earn my doctorate.

I don’t think the PhD in English is right for me. It’s more research-heavy and I would have to sacrifice my teaching job. I already learned the hard way with Old Dominion’s online program. Instead, I was looking at Drew University’s program, but it’s for a doctorate in letters.

I spoke to the university and decided to apply. There are so many literature classes with an emphasis on teaching the classics and writing to high school students. I do believe a wonderful user here had recommended this program to me.

The classes are all online, and I figured I could start with a class this summer and see how it goes. I was able to secure a scholarship and grant from the university, and my school (where I work) offered me tuition reimbursement.

I guess I was just wondering if anyone had completed this degree before or had any tips. Your advice means the world to me. Thank you so much for being so patient with me last year. Wishing you all a blessed evening. ❤️

 

Glad to hear you've regained your health. That's Job 1 and it really makes sense, because nobody can do much of anything without it. I can't offer any experience of the Drew University program, but it sure sounds like it's all about your "One Love" - literature and the teaching of it.

I wish you every success. You've "told us what you want - what you really, really want" (Spice Girls) and you've gone out and
found it! Congrats (on the course AND the great financing package) and keep us posted! You're special, around here!

 

You are the sweetest, my dear friend! Thank you so much! I hope you’re doing well. ☺️ Your posts always make my day!

 

Livin' the dream. Eight guitars, a dozen really nice watches, and a growing library - and my fashion design skills are coming along nicely. I've been learning Nigerian Pidgin, Navajo, JavaScript and a few musical things that interest me, mostly from the blues and jazz worlds. Hey, I'm 81. It's TIME I got to do exactly what I like!

And thanks for asking!

 

The DLitt and MLitt degrees look very interesting. Note to bargain hunters: not Drew. It's not cheap!

The degrees are interdisciplinary and have concentrations (seven of 'em), not majors. I think this is a huge advantage for adult learners wanting flexibility.

The degrees can be done via distance learning--they make that clear--but you'll be participating in class synchronously with in-class students. That may or may not be to your liking.

Good stuff, really.

 

How does the Drew D. Litt. compare to a Doctor of Arts?

 

Very little comparison.

A Doctor of Arts differs from a PhD due to its emphasis on pedagogy (teaching the subject studied) instead of original research.

The Drew DLitt is more of an interdisciplinary PhD with one or more concentrations.

 

Hm. Then I wonder why Drew calls their degree a D.Litt. instead of a Ph.D.?

 

One difference. From the Wiki on D. Litt in various nations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Letters

"At Drew University, the earned Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) program requires the completion of 45 graduate credit hours beyond the master's degree, including the successful development and defense of a 150- to 220-page doctoral dissertation.[23] (Emphasis mine - J)

45 credit hours including those for the diss. is shorter than most PhD programs, no? Would that be one cause for different degree nomenclature?

 

I doubt it. Doctorates are doctorates. There are not superior or lesser doctorates. Also, there is a wide range of credits required to earn a doctorate. Finally, it's largely immaterial; the research being done earns the degree, not the number of credits.

 

Seems to be focused on literature and culture, in accordance with the classic English system, as opposed to the myopic Prussian “scientific” research system that Carnegie brought over to the states which became the Ph.D.

Something tells me the typical D.Litt. from Drew would be more well rounded than a random Ph.D. These days.

 

Thanks for your feedback, everyone! I figured this would be a wonderful path. I tried Old Dominion’s online PhD in English, but the classes really didn’t speak to me. I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to literature. Also, I know that a PhD is truly a full-time job. I didn’t want to sacrifice my teaching career after I realized that I love it. ❤️ I guess I wanted a program that can accommodate working professionals. And it seems lovely! There’s a class on Shakespeare that I’m dying to take!

 

Good luck from all of us. Please tell us how each class goes!

 

Good luck and let us know how you progress!