The Department of English offers the degrees of Master of Arts (with coursework, major research paper, or thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy in English. Both programs equip students to pursue advanced studies in British, Canadian, or American literature informed by a broad knowledge of literary history and by recent developments in literary criticism and cultural theory. The department is well known for its annual Canadian Literature Symposium, and its faculty is distinguished and well-published. The Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS) has consistently awarded the department the council's highest rating.<br><br>The department also offers a CO-OP option at the master's level that students can apply to add to either the coursework or the major research paper program. <br><br>The department participates in the collaborative programs in Feminist and Gender Studies and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the Master's level, and in the collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. <br><br>The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies. Please note, however, that any course fulfilling a graduate degree requirement in English must be completed with a mark of B or higher. A student whose record shows any two grades lower than a mark of B will automatically be withdrawn from the program. Most graduate courses in the Department of English at the University of Ottawa carry three units. Requirements are stated in number of units.