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College of Arts & Sciences

The doctorate in English program prepares students to become leading scholars, excellent teachers and active members of the academic community. You will receive sustained pedagogical training, preparing you to teach courses on writing, rhetoric and literature.

This program fosters critical engagement with the discipline of English studies and its interdisciplinary practices. Through this program, you will learn to:

  • Articulate a research plan and carry it out
  • Develop original arguments that contribute to ongoing debates within the field
  • Master research techniques and the ability to evaluate resources, including digital resources
  • Communicate your ideas to varied audiences, both orally and in writing

We will support you in your efforts to gain professional experience while you work on your doctoral degree. We encourage you to actively enter the profession by:

  • Presenting your work at conferences
  • Publishing your work in scholarly venues
  • Participating in the governance of the English department
  • Teaching courses on writing, rhetoric and literature
  • Teaching courses in your area of expertise

Ph.D. in English Program Requirements

Careers

Doctoral graduates are qualified for teaching positions at the college and university level. This program also aids students who plan to pursue careers outside of academia, where they can put the research, writing and teaching skills they have developed to good use.

Earning Your Doctoral Degree

You will develop a knowledge base in a range of literatures and theories in your coursework. Later, you will specialize by taking an oral field examination and a written take-home examination that will prepare you to write a dissertation.

Steps to Fulfill a Doctoral Program