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The Top 10 Easiest PhDs: Tuition, Duration, and Financial Aid

If you’re wondering what the easiest doctorate degree is, this really depends on your definition of easy.

You may find a lengthy research dissertation challenging, or you may love writing and struggle with mathematical or analytical assignments. Equally, depending on your lifestyle, a flexible program that allows you to study online at your own pace could be much more manageable. Or it may be better to go all-in on an accelerated program that you can finish in a short space of time.

With all these factors and more in mind, you can learn about the easiest PhDs available today across various fields.

Table of Contents

The Easiest PhD Majors

Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and we all excel in different areas. Having said that, a significant proportion of people find math and science challenging, so many people will find the following majors the easiest PhDs to get:

• Religion/Theology

However, the easiest PhD for you could be quite different. If you have a head for numbers but don’t do so well with languages, you mind find a PhD in mathematics or engineering much easier.

Your interests also come into play: it’s always easier to apply yourself to a topic that you’re passionate about.

The Easiest PhD Programs

We’ve ranked the following programs based on various criteria to find the easiest doctoral degrees across a range of disciplines while mostly staying away from courses heavy in maths and science, as areas that people typically find challenging.

We looked for programs that offer a high level of flexibility, making it easy to fit your studies around other parts of your life. We also prioritized shorter programs that allow you to earn your doctorate in record time and progress with your career and avoided those with lengthy dissertation requirements.

Walden University, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences

PhD in Education – Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Self-Designed)

Walden University was named first in the USA  for PhD Education graduates. This is one of the easiest PhD programs to get into, as the University has an acceptance rate of 100%. It is also one of the shortest PhD programs in the field, offering a fast-track option that allows you to transfer up to 50% of your total credits and finish the program sooner.

• Courses include: Leading the future of education, education law, policy & governance, and higher education in the 21st century.
• Credits: 86 quarter credits
• Duration: 3-8 years
• Delivery: Online
• Tuition : $692 per quarter hour
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, and loans
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University

PhD in Psychology – General Psychology

Capella University offers a wide range of online programs for students looking for ongoing education with a high degree of flexibility, including being able to study at their own pace. This PhD in Psychology is also one of the easiest online PhD programs, as it gives you the option to complete the doctorate in as little as five quarters.

• Courses include: Ethics & multicultural issues in psychology, advanced inferential statistics, and quantitative research methods in psychology.
• Credits: 87
• Duration: 5-9 quarters
• Tuition : $545
• Financial aid: Scholarships, employer discounts, and military benefits

The University of Florida, Department of Classics

PhD in Classical Studies

The US News & World Report named the University of Florida one of the top 5 public research universities  in the USA for 2023. With a focus on the humanities, many people will find this PhD program relatively easy, focusing on subjects like languages, culture, and history.

• Courses include: Greek prose composition, the roman tradition, and Latin prose composition.
• Credits: 60
• Duration: 3 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition : $12,744
• Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, and teaching assistantships
• Acceptance rate: 31%
• Location: Gainesville, Florida

Faulkner University

Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities

Faulkner University was founded on Christian principles and offers many flexible programs designed to help students balance their education with their other commitments. This is one of the easiest PhD programs because you can complete it in just 48 credit hours while gaining a global intellectual and spiritual perspective through courses covering thought, ideas, and literature in the Western tradition.

• Courses include: Scholarly inquiry & writing in the humanities, historical investigations, and literary analysis.
• Credits: 48
• Duration: 3 years+
• Tuition : $650 per semester hour
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, federal work-study, and loans
• Acceptance rate: 76%
• Location: Montgomery, Alabama

Regent University

PhD in Renewal Theology

Regent University is a popular private institution that offers programs in over 150 areas of study, including some easy PhD programs that can be completed with very flexible study arrangements. This theology doctorate program aims to create future church leaders with a global outlook based on a Renewal approach to history and contemporary issues.

• Courses include: Advanced hermeneutics, renewal theology, and advanced cosmogony & anthropology.
• Duration: 4 years+
• Delivery: Online (with 2-week on-campus residency each fall)
• Tuition : $670 per credit
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and loans
• Acceptance rate: 50%
• Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Boston University, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College

Online Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD)

Boston University is a private institution ranked #1  in occupational therapy by the US News & World Report. This PP-OTD is one of the easiest doctorate degrees in physical therapy because you can complete it in just 18 months. It aims to equip practicing therapists for higher leadership roles capable of innovatively addressing the field’s key challenges.

• Courses include: Social policy & disability, health promotion & wellness, and evaluating clinical theory & research.
• Credits: 33-37
• Duration: 18 months
• Tuition: Varies
• Financial aid: Scholarships, employer reimbursement, and federal loans
• Acceptance rate: 20%
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts

The University of Tennessee Knoxville, College of Social Work

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Clinical Practice & Leadership

The College of Social Work is a higher education institution that strives to provide exemplary education in social work. It’s also heavily involved in international projects, which allows students to develop a global perspective on the sector. You could consider this DSW to be an easy doctorate degree, as an accelerated program designed to train existing clinical social workers in advanced clinical practice and leadership.

• Courses include: Neuroscience for clinical practice, psychopathology & psychopharmacology, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, federal work-study, graduate assistantships, veteran services, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 78%
• Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

New York University, School of Law

Juris Doctor (JD)

New York University is one of the largest private universities in the country, with campuses and academic centers across the globe. In this JD program, students enjoy a strong blend of theory of law and practice through the school’s more than forty legal clinics.

• Courses include: Constitutional law, survey of criminal procedure, and international law.
• Credits: 83
• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition : $73,216
• Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, veteran benefits, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 21%
• Location: New York City, New York

North Carolina State University, College of Design

Doctor of Design (DDes)

NC State University is among the top 1% of universities worldwide, according to the Center for World University Rankings. This program encourages practicing professionals to develop innovative concepts and promote them more generally in the design community and society. It is an easy doctorate degree in design in that you can complete it in three years or even less.

• Courses include: Research methods in design, case study analysis in design, and design for health & wellbeing.
• Credits: 57
• Delivery: Online (with one week of on-campus study every semester)
• Tuition : $505.28
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 46%
• Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Frontier Nursing University

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Frontier Nursing University is a not-for-profit institution with several accolades for nursing education, ranking third  for online master’s family nurse practitioner programs. The program is designed for working professionals and emphasizes evidence-based practice, with a quality improvement project in collaboration with your chosen clinical site. With this easy doctorate program, you can earn the highest nursing qualification in mere 15-18 months.

• Courses include: Epidemiology & biostatistics, ethics & health policy, and leadership & organizational dynamics.
• Credits: 30
• Duration: 15-18 months
• Delivery: Online (with 3-day on-campus orientation)
• Tuition: $19,380
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, employer benefits, veteran benefits, and loans
• Acceptance rate: 66%
• Location: Versailles, Kentucky

What’s the Difference Between a Professional Degree and a Doctorate?

A PhD program largely focuses on theoretical learning and the analytical aspects of the discipline you’re studying. It typically involves extensive research presented in a lengthy thesis or dissertation, often proposing a new theory or innovative findings.

On the other hand, a professional doctorate or master’s degree emphasizes gaining knowledge for practical applications and does not typically involve a dissertation. While a PhD can make you an erudite scholar well-equipped to work in research or academia, a professional degree typically leads to a career path as a professional in the industry, government, or nonprofit sector.

FAQs about the Easiest PhDs

Which phd is the easiest to get.

The PhD you’ll find easiest will depend on your own strengths and weaknesses and your passions. Generally, most people will find doctorates in the arts and humanities the easiest. Flexible programs that can be completed online and accelerated ones with a shorter overall time commitment are the easiest to complete in terms of meeting other life commitments.

Which Subject Is Easy for a PhD?

Subjects like the humanities, education, theology, and psychology are generally considered the easiest, mostly because they involve less quantitative research and rely on qualitative study methods.

Final Thoughts

The easiest PhD for you will depend on your own talents, weaknesses, and which practical aspects of the program will make it easiest for you to earn your doctorate. Many people find the arts and humanities easier than science and math, though your passion for any subject can make studying it relatively easy. Having the flexibility to study online , at your own pace, or alternatively, in a shorter, more intensive period like a 1-year PhD program  can also make it easier to finish your PhD.

Although easiness is one factor to consider when choosing the right PhD for you, it certainly isn’t everything. Most importantly, you should opt for the program that matches your interests and is most likely to help you achieve your career and life goals.

Want to explore more options? Check out our list of the highest paying PhDs  to learn about the programs that will give you the best return on your investment.

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ 30+ Best Dorm Room Essentials for Guys in 2024
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CollegeRank.net

Best College Rankings

30 Best PhD Programs in English

Quick Highlights:

• Our #1 ranked school for a PhD in English is  University at Buffalo , followed by  University of California, Berkeley .
• PhD English programs focus on comprehensive English language and literature knowledge . They require coursework, exams, and a dissertation.
• Specializations may be available in areas like rhetoric and digital humanities.
• Many programs emphasize practical experience, including teaching opportunities and involvement in academic communities .

With one of the 30 top English PhD programs, career opportunities are numerous, because let’s face it: researching, writing, teaching, learning, communicating, and critical thinking all translate into a highly sought-after knowledge and skill set.

This is not a trick question: What would we do if we could not communicate with each other, whether verbally or in writing (or texting)?

Seriously think about it: Without language, what do we have?

There are those who live and breathe:

• sentence structures

They can’t seem to get enough of learning about the dynamic subject we call English. If you love language, writing, research, learning, and continuously searching for that right word, a PhD in English may be the graduate program you’re looking for.

Check out our top English PhD program rankings and start preparing for your future!

• Top MFA in Creative Writing
• Best PhD in Communications

What Is a PhD in English?

A PhD in English is a terminal degree, meaning it’s the highest you can get in any given subject. While concentrations and programs of study differ, three parts of an English PhD are certain:

• qualifying exams
• a dissertation

Coursework typically includes various literature classes to provide a strong breadth of English language and literature knowledge. Most top English PhD programs also require foreign language requirements. After the coursework is finished in around 2-3 years, English majors will take a comprehensive qualifying exam to achieve doctoral status. This exam covers all they have studied this far, and passing it will allow them to move on to their dissertation.

A dissertation is the final step to earning a PhD in English. Think of it as an independent research project that takes years to:

• compile information

The dissertation defense is the last step, where you present your project to a faculty panel.

Most top English PhD programs take five to seven years to complete, but of course, it depends on full-time or part-time status. It is also worth noting that many graduate schools, including the ones we have reviewed, provide full funding to the student earning a PhD.

You may also like: Doctorate vs PhD

What Are the Top English PhD Programs?

At CollegeRank , we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York

Average Net Price

While all of our rankings in this article are notable, The University of Buffalo ranks in the top 1% of not just the country but the world by the Center for World University Rankings. Founded in 1846, SUNY Buffalo is the largest campus in the 64-campus SUNY system. It offers one of the best English PhD programs. It just happens to be our #1 choice!

What sets SUNY Buffalo apart from others? As a student, you are a part of a vibrant, supportive community as an active participant in every part of the program. You are not just going to school, but you are a part of the process. This includes attending and voting in department meetings and joining the English Graduate Student Association (EGSA).

This top PhD in English requires 72 credits, which are satisfied through ten graduate seminar courses in fields such as:

• American and British literature
• poetics and critical theory

You will then take an oral qualifying exam and complete and defend a “book-length work of original scholarship,” otherwise known as a dissertation.

As a graduate program student, you are encouraged to publish during your time at SUNY Buffalo and equipped with a third-year workshop for this goal. This graduate program takes approximately five years and is fully in person. You can apply through the Graduate Enrollment Services.

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Globally ranked as the fourth-best university according to U.S. News & World Report rankings, University of California-Berkeley has been described as a “glorious place,” full of “commitment to excellence.” This is a top graduate program in the country. The PhD in comparative literature, is both “historical and theoretical”. It includes a “signature combination of teaching and research on literature, film, and other media.”

In this English PhD program , you will choose one literature from a historical and critical perspective and complete comparative work in three kinds of literature. You will then complete ten courses encompassing:

• comparative
• major types of literature
• minor types of literature

The University of California-Berkeley says this program takes approximately seven years to complete and includes a recommended timetable to stay on track.

The University of California-Berkeley offers a myriad of fellowships and financial aid to help with the cost of this PhD program. In addition, you have the opportunity to seek employment through the department in teaching and research assistantship programs. Alumni have won national awards from the Modern Language Association and the American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA).

University of Maryland

College Park, Maryland

The University of Maryland is devoted to social entrepreneurship. It is recognized as the nation’s first  “Do Good” university. Home to over 41,000 students and 388,000 alumni, UMD spans 12 schools and colleges. It offers 297 academic programs, including the nationally ranked PhD in English. This graduate program prepares students who plan to teach at the university level with:

• language courses

Along with You will study an in-depth range of topics such as:

• literary and cultural history,
• aesthetic, critical and cultural theory
• digital and media studies
• humanistic engagement with the sciences
• language, rhetoric and composition

You will complete a minimum of 12 courses, including a foreign language requirement, while maintaining a 3.6 GPA. 

UMD’s top English PhD program is highly competitive but well worth the competition if you are accepted because all students receive a five-year funding package. To apply, you need to submit:

• a statement of goals and research interests
• transcripts
• three letters of recommendation
• a sample of critical writing
• an academic CV

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas

UT Austin is not only known for its food (especially breakfast tacos!) and music, but it’s also our #4 ranking. It has:

• excellent academic programs
• extensive research
• shared values of “equity, excellence, innovation, and empowerment”

It is ranked #20 in Best Graduate Schools from U.S. News & World Report . UT Austin offers a PhD in English with a concentration in literature or rhetoric and digital literacies.

Whether you enter the program with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, you are required to complete 39 graduate seminar hours before the end of your third year. You must pass the third-year examination to achieve doctoral candidacy. The final milestone for the PhD in English is the dissertation defense. Graduate students have access to six years of funding from combined teaching assistantships.

UT Austin’s admission is highly competitive. Each year, this English PhD program accepts 12-14 students into the literature concentration and four in the rhetoric and digital literacies program. You can apply through ApplyTexas if you have a BA or MA plus at least 15 hours of upper-division English credits with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Madison, Wisconsin

A top-ranked university with 19 faculty and alumni Nobel Prize winners? Yes, please! Check out UW-Madison, awarded #13 in America’s Best Colleges from U.S. News & Report . UW Madison offers more than 9,000 courses across over 450 academic programs, including a PhD in English with the following specializations:

• Composition and rhetoric
• English language and linguistics
• Literature studies

This graduate program “combines a sharp focus on conceptual approaches to literary and cultural works with a commitment to broad coverage of the field of Anglophone literature.” As a student, you will tailor the program to your career goals through a required minor. You will also study interdisciplinary areas such as:

• literary theory and criticism
• gender studies
• race and ethnic studies

You will complete 51-63 coursework credits depending on which concentration you choose. Each concentration includes:

• major courses
• minor courses
• research/method/tools courses

While some of the best English PhD rankings offer online or hybrid formats, UW-Madison’s coursework is face-to-face. Applicants must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution. English degrees are preferred but they are not required.

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech warded a “Very High Research Activity” category by Carnegie Classification of Institution of Higher Education. It is a comprehensive public research university that spans 13 colleges and schools and 200 degree programs. At Texas Tech, you can earn a PhD in English with a specialization in literature.

One of the best parts of Texas Tech’s PhD in English is vast areas of study. You can choose any of the following concentrations:

• Early British literature
• Later British literature
• English and American literature
• Comparative literature, globalization, and translation
• Creative writing
• Linguistics
• Book history and digital humanities
• Film and media studies
• Literature, social justice, and environment

No matter which concentration you choose, you will take courses such as:

• Research Methods
• Critical Methods
• Writing for Publication
• Teaching College Literature

Texas Tech employs a holistic assessment for applicants while looking for:

• critical analysis skills
• a focused academic purpose
• strong letters of recommendation

University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida

Located in the heart of Tampa Bay, the University of South Florida is one of the fastest-rising universities in the nation. U.S. News and World Report ranks it as the 46th best public university in the country. At UCF, you can earn a PhD in English with either a literature or rhetoric and composition concentration.

UCF’s top English PhD program requires at least 30 hours of coursework, including:

• Scholarly Research and Writing
• Teaching Practicum
• Studies in Criticism and Theory

After completing your coursework, you must create and submit a portfolio and fulfill a foreign language requirement before you are admitted to doctoral candidacy. Then, the real fun starts: writing your dissertation.

USF graduate students can also earn graduate certificates in:

• comparative literary studies
• creative writing
• digital humanities
• professional and technical communication

UCF’s program is pretty competitive. You need:

• a Master of Arts from an accredited university
• at least a 3.7 GPA
• “competitive” GRE verbal and analytical writing scores
• recommendation letters
• a scholarly writing sample
• a personal statement

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

“Step One: Imagine. Step Two: Do.”

The University of Utah is fondly known by students, faculty, and alumni as “The U,”. It features a simple yet profound motto that has inspired many graduates to go on and make their mark on the world. Notable alumni include writer Orson Scott Card and award-winning actor Stephen Covey, among many others.

You, too, can imagine what is possible and then take action by checking out the top PhD in English . It has concentrations in rhetoric and composition or literacy and cultural studies. The program entails:

• Ten seminar courses (including four concentration courses)
• Four additional English courses
• Two courses in writing and rhetoric studies
• A qualifying exam
• A successful dissertation

The Department of English features ample opportunities for publications, along with the graduate student reading series, Working Dog, where you can showcase your original work to not only other classmates, but the public.

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

The University of Arizona is a nationally ranked university in public research and best value. It features a rich Native American history. The first graduating class in 1895 included three students before Arizona was even a state!

Check out the PhD in rhetoric, composition, and teaching of English – perfect if you intend to teach at a four-year college or a writing program.  UA’s Department of English states that the graduates of this doctoral program are “distinguished for their public engagement and action-oriented research, published scholarship, and innovative teaching.” 

The University of Arizona has an outstanding 97% job placement. English PhD graduates find themselves as nationally recognized scholars teaching, researching, and writing all over the world.

In this top English PhD program, you will complete 66 credit units, which includes 18 dissertation credits. Courses include:

• Research Methods in Rhetoric and Composition
• Qualifying Portfolio Workshop

To apply, you need to submit:

• a CV, a statement of purpose
• unofficial transcripts
• a writing sample in rhetoric or composition

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

LSU is Louisiana’s flagship institution. Louisiana State University is known for its top-notch academics and impressive return on investments. Ninety-two percent of all students receive scholarships or financial aid. Two in three students graduate with absolutely no debt. LSU’s PhD in English arms graduate students with the knowledge and skills to become expert:

• researchers

Similar to most English PhD programs, this program is organized into three phases:

• dissertation

The coursework consists of 48 credit hours of literature that “range across periods, genres, and traditions,” and critical and theoretical methods. Students will then take their exams and progress into the dissertation phase.

Students typically write one chapter of their dissertation per semester while enrolled in the Dissertation Writing Workshop. A perk of this program is that you can apply if you have either a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Arts. If you already have a master’s degree, you can apply up to 24 credit hours toward this degree and finish the PhD in just four years.

Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona

Arizona State University boasts several national recognitions. This includes #1 in the country for most innovative school and the best graduate schools from U.S. News & World Report. Among the half a million alumni include notable:

• politicians
• actors and actresses

ASU features a PhD in English literature that is worth checking out!

The PhD in English literature emphasizes literary texts not only from a cultural and historical perspective but also from the “production, distribution, and reception.” The “texts” are defined as “folklore, oral traditions, popular culture, and film and digital media in addition to traditional literature.” The graduate program includes 42-72 hours in coursework. It also includes 12 hours of dissertation work.

This doctoral program is highly flexible and allows you to take courses in your interest areas. Sample courses include:

• Methods and Issues in Teaching Composition
• Rhetorical Traditions

To apply you need:

• statement of purpose
• an academic writing sample of 10-25 pages

The deadline to apply is January 1, and the GRE is not required.

University of California – Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Have you ever wondered which U.S. city features the most museums and theaters than any other city? Well, it’s Los Angeles!  UCLA is proud to be right in the center of the excitement. (And in case you’re wondering, LA is home to 105 museums and 225 theaters!) At UCLA-Los Angeles, you can join the current 15,724 graduate students and earn a comprehensive PhD in English literature.

UCLA structures its PhD in three stages. Stage one entails 14 graduate seminars in English literature, with various requirements to ensure a diverse depth of literature. Stage one also includes a first qualifying exam before you proceed to stage two for a second qualifying exam. Stage three is the research, writing, and completion of a dissertation. It begins in year five and typically takes two years to complete.

Component of UCLA’s PhD program include:

• dissertation project
• teacher training

Teaching assistantships are available and encouraged for graduate students. To apply you need to submit:

• a writing sample of 15-25 pages

Currently, the GRE exam requirement is waived because of Covid-19.

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor was voted #1 for Best Small College Town in America and Best U.S. Public University ( QS World University Rankings and Wallethub ). It is globally recognized for its exceptional academic quality. U-M Ann Arbor features a stellar doctoral program in English language and literature for those who aim to:

• write in a collective community

This top English PhD program allows you to specialize in British, American, or anglophone literature. Also, to“explore a wide range of critical, theoretical, and cultural perspectives.” The program focuses on learning as a social process. This is one reason why English graduate students are guaranteed six years of program funding! A huge perk.

In your first year you will:

• complete two basic languages or one advanced language
• Introduction to Graduate Studies
• three upper-level seminars

Your second year will be devoted to the preliminary examination. In the third year, a third-year review, which will provide feedback and direction. Finally, you will devote your last few years to your dissertation.

University of Missouri

Columbia, Missouri

If you know what the Tiger Walk and Tiger Prowl are, you certainly are familiar with the University of Missouri. It is fondly known as Mizzou. With a long history of traditions, Mizzou’s pride is seen all over the world. You can earn a PhD in English in just five years, including 30 hours of coursework that provides “deep knowledge and methodological sophistication. with a concentration on creative writing or literature.

Sample courses include:

• Literacy Criticism
• The Theory and Practice of Teaching in English
• English Linguistics
• creative writing workshops if you choose the creative writing concentration

By the spring of your third year, you should begin writing your dissertation. This could be scholarly or creative, depending on your concentration. You will have two years to complete your dissertation before you defend it by the end of your fifth year.

Recent dissertation titles include:

• “Medieval Romance, Fanfiction, and the Erotics of Shame” 
• “Science Frictions: Science, Folklore, and ‘The Future ” 
• “Magical Safe Spaces: The Role of Literature in Medieval and Early Modern Magic” 

University of Virginia – Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

The University of Virginia is one of the very best in the nation. Both U.S. News & World Report and Money Magazine rank UVA #2 and #4 as the best public university and the best value. UVA houses a PhD in English language, literature, and research that leads graduates to all types of careers in:

• education administration

This best English PhD program entails 72 credits, including courses like:

• Introduction to Literary Research
• Dissertation Seminar

During the second semester of the fourth year, students will give a 40-min talk about their dissertation. This is a great opportunity for students to share their work with a formal venue before they defend their dissertation later.

In addition to this degree, you can earn graduate certificates in:

• Comparative literature
• Gender and sexuality studies
• African studies
• Environmental humanities
• Digital humanities

Accepted students receive financial support and health insurance for at least five years of their duration in the program.

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee

Founded in 1794, UT Knoxville is one of the oldest in the country. UT Knoxville spreads across 910 acres. The 294 buildings house 11 colleges and 900 programs of study! If you’re a teacher and want to continue your education studies, then UT’s PhD in literacy studies and education may be for you.

This program is not a standard PhD in English. It combines English and education and allows you to choose from a number of concentrations and specializations. You can choose between literacy studies and education. Then you can further choose an emphasis like:

• children’s and young adult literature
• ESL education
• literacy education

This program includes 48 credit hours beyond a master’s degree. This includes six credits in a cognate area and 24 hours of doctoral research and dissertation courses. Comprehensive exams should be completed in five years. The dissertation should be completed within eight years. To apply to this program, you need at least three years of teaching experience.

University of Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana

Smart. Spirited. Solution-Driven.

Those are words to describe the University of Louisiana at Lafayette It is the second-largest university in Louisiana, home to over 19,000 students. We also must mention that UL’s sports teams are THE Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns®! With a PhD in English from UL, you will receive a strong background in British and American language and literature. You can further customize your program to match your career goals.

UL now has over 100 students in its PhD program, which is a lot for a PhD in English! You can specialize in four areas (out of 21!) such as:

• critical theory
• Africana literature
• feminist theory and criticism

The degree requires 72 credit hours, which include 48 in coursework and 24 in dissertation research.

UL’s PhD program asks for application materials that “testify to solid academic preparation for advanced work.” These materials include:

• Transcripts
• Recommendation letters
• A Statement of purpose
• A CV with relevant academic/professional experience
• A critical (or creative) writing sample
• Optional GRE scores

To enter in the spring, submit your application by November 15.

New York University

New York City, New York

Imagine studying English in one of the most vibrant cities in the nation: New York City. New York University Steinhardt is a top university. It is ranked #10 among the Best Graduate Schools in Education ( U.S. News & World Report ). NYU Steinhardt offers a range of programs:

• doctoral programs

This includes the notable PhD in English education: secondary and college.

This doctoral program at New York University prepares graduates to become:

• university researchers
• English curriculum specialists
• post-secondary English language educators

You will enjoy small classes in one of the most diverse settings in the world: New York City! As a student, you will complete 48-60 credits, depending on the focus area and prior coursework.

Coursework includes:

• teaching and learning seminars
• two cognate courses
• foundation requirements
• research methodology classes

Before beginning your dissertation, you will complete a research experience course to prepare you. While many programs require full-time status, you can complete this PhD full-time or part-time. To apply, you need:

• A statement of purpose
• A writing sample (no more than 20 pages)
• Three recommendation letters

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Benjamin Franklin once said, “well-done is better than well-said.” This statement, by the school’s founder, serves as the cornerstone tradition of the University of Pennsylvania. Since the 1740s, Penn continues to evolve into a place of social activism, touching all of its programs. Penn’s PhD in English combines English and American literature to produce a comprehensive program with a range of specializations.

This “intellectually dynamic and rigorous” PhD program prepares students to be scholars and educators of English. You can specialize in one primary field. Or you can specialize in two additional fields such as:

• contemporary poetry

Penn recognizes that true learning comes when students become active participants in their academic and social community. The program’s emphasis is on the relationships between scholars and faculty.

In this top English PhD program , you will take courses such as Teaching of Literature and Composition. This is along with six literature courses spanning throughout various time periods. During your third year, you will choose a specialization as you start working on your dissertation. All PhD students receive the Benjamin Franklin Fellowship, which covers tuition and health insurance for five years.

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Have you ever wondered which academic institution is our nation’s oldest? Well, it’s Harvard University, established in 1636! With over 400,000 alumni all over the world including:

• 49 Nobel Laureates
• 32 heads of state
• 48 Pulitzer Prize winners

It’s no wonder Harvard University made our list of top English PhD rankings. After all, it’s Harvard! Check out Harvard University’s PhD in English that covers topics ranging from medieval literature to criticism and theory.

Harvard’s PhD in English provides a broad knowledge of English and teaches students to:

• research and write well
• teach effectively
• present their research at conferences and seminars

The first two years are devoted to coursework and preparing for the PhD qualifying exam, while the rest of the time is spent working on the dissertation.

Check out the many past doctoral theses and dissertations published on Harvard University’s website. Harvard states that this program typically takes between four and seven years. Most students finishing in five or six years. While GRE scores are not required for admission, past English classes, strong writing samples, and excellent letters of recommendation are.

Columbia University in the City of New York

A private Ivy League University, Columbia University has been a leader in higher education for over 250 years. Columbia University spans three undergraduate schools and 13 graduate schools. This includes the Teacher College, which opened in 1880. Columbia’s Teacher College features a PhD in English education for students who aim to become teachers and researchers in higher education.

This English PhD program includes 75 credits, and students may transfer up to 30 credits from previous graduate work. All PhD English education majors will take courses like:

• Research Paper: Teaching of English
• Professional Seminar: Foundational Texts

As a student, you stay on track through:

• milestones of coursework
• meeting with your dissertation committee

While most doctoral English PhD programs only admit students once a year, Columbia’s program allows entry in both the summer and fall. To apply you need:

• a master’s degree in English
• education or a related field
• at least 3-5 years of full-time teaching experience
• an academic writing sample

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university in Ithaca, NY. It is home to over 24,000 students. This top-ranked university includes 15 colleges and schools, including The College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. You can earn a PhD in English and language literature. This English PhD program comes with a generous financial package for students.

Cornell’s PhD in English language and literature allows you to customize your plan of study to suit your interests. You will form a faculty committee that will work with you on selecting your courses and writing and revising your dissertation. You can choose from a myriad of areas such as:

• Romance studies
• Cultural studies

This graduate program also emphasizes teaching an essential part of this plan of study. As a student, you are required to teach writing-intensive courses for at least one year during your time at Cornell. As mentioned, Cornell University provides five years of funding that includes:

• full tuition
• health insurance

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University, a highly-ranked private research institution, states that “being orange is more than just a color, a place or degree. It embodies a lifelong connection to a global network of innovators, thinkers, and creative solution finders.” Join the “Orange Community” of 22,000 other students when you earn a top PhD in English from Syracuse University.

Syracuse’s Ph.D. in English includes “specialized professional training in criticism, theory, research, and the teaching of literary and filmic texts”. It prepares you to teach at the college and university level.  You can apply whether you have a BA or master’s degree, and you will take between 12-18 courses, depending on your past academic records.

This PhD program is pretty straightforward. You will take courses like:

• Introduction to Critical Theory
• focused graduate seminars
• a foreign language

You will also take two exams: the field exam and the qualifying exam. This will qualify you as a doctoral candidate to begin:

• researching
• defending your dissertation

Syracuse boasts an excellent job placement record for PhD in English graduates.

Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri

Washington University was founded in 1853 in St. Luis. WashUis an independent university with more than 16,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. It offers many opportunities, including:

• customizable programs
• study abroad experiences
• impressive financial aid options

You won’t want to miss the PhD in English and American literature from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Washington University’s PhD in English and American literature is described as “innovative, collegial, competitive, and generously funded, offering one of the top financial packages in the nation”. The program is rooted in literary history. As a student, you can tailor your plan of study to incorporate areas of English that you want to explore.

During your time at WashU, you will serve as both a graduate assistant and instructor in undergraduate English and literature courses. During year four, you will submit a dissertation prospectus. The next two years you will spend working on your dissertation. By April of year six, you will be ready to defend your dissertation and become a Doctor of English!

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Ranked #9 in the U.S. News & World Report 2020 Best Colleges, Northwestern University is a comprehensive research university. It has more than 13,000 graduate students and an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1. Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University features a PhD in literature that emphasizes:

• literary history
• criticism, and theory
• interdisciplinary studies

This best English graduate program includes:

• lectures and workshops from global scholars
• student-organized colloquia
• reading groups, conferences
• many ways to learn from not only the faculty, but from peers

You will complete 20 graduate-level courses in diverse historical periods during your first three years. In addition, you will complete a foreign language requirement by the end of year one.

At Northwestern, you will:

• work as a graduate assistant
• teach at least one course
• work on your dissertation during years four and five

While this PhD program can be completed in five years, most students complete it in six. As a graduate student at Northwestern, you will receive:

• full financial aid
• travel grants
• pedagogical training
• job placement

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida

Established in 1925, the University of Miami is a private research academic institution with numerous national recognitions in academic and research success. Check out UM’s Pride Points and what it means to be part of the Hurricane family. While you’re at it, check out the PhD in English with concentrations in Caribbean studies or early modern literature. This is a degree full of diversity and opportunity.

UM’s PhD in English is nationally ranked by the National Research Council for student and faculty diversity. As a student at UM, you will enjoy diverse topics such as:

• Caribbean literature
• early modern literature
• cultural theory

The cohorts are only five to seven students, so you will be among a tight-knit community of English scholars.

UM admits incoming students with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in English, and your previous degree(s) will determine whether you need to take 54 or 36 credits of coursework. You will also receive:

• at least five years of tuition remissions

UM reports that over 90% of its PhD graduates have full-time employment within nine months of graduating.

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

The University of Chicago, a highly-ranked private research university, is known for its value of free and open inquiry. This has led to research breakthroughs such as:

• finding the cancer-genetics link
• discovering revolutionary economics links
• improving the graduation rates in urban cities

UChicago’s PhD in English language and literature involves intensive research for solutions, and open expression, staying true to UChicago’s values.

The University of Chicago’s PhD in English language and literature “prepares students for independent work as teachers, scholars, and critics by developing their abilities to pose and investigate problems in the advanced study of literature in English.” The four major elements of this program include:

• the dissertation.

Part of the appeal of this program are the dynamic courses like:

• The Print Revolution and New Readers: Women, Workers, Children
• Early Science Fiction
• Readings in Exile
• scanned transcripts
• 3-4 recommendation letters
• a 15-20 page writing sample
• a 1-3 page statement of purpose

Boston College

Newton, Massachusetts

“Education with a heart and soul – and the power to transform” is Boston College’s motto. Boston College is the first higher education institution in Boston. This private Jesuit research university is among one of the nation’s leaders. Boston College’s PhD in English gives graduate students the choice of a wide range of courses to tailor the program to their interests and career goals.

As a student, you are required to take just four PhD seminars along with courses in composition theory and pedagogy and research colloquium. The rest is up to you, and you will work with your advisor to build your program. Teaching is another component and starting with your second year, you will become a teaching assistant in a British or American literature class.

We’ll be honest: the very thing that we love about this program—the small classes—means that each year Boston College only admits 4-5 students. Applications for the fall semester are due by January 2. To apply you need:

• a critical writing statement

The Catholic University of America

Washington, D.C.

Right in the heart of our nation’s capital, you will find the Catholic University of America. It is the only national research academic institution found by the U.S. bishops. CatholicU is a great place to earn a  PhD in English language and literature offering:

• more than 250 academic programs
• 5,700 students
• 90,000+ alumni

And who wouldn’t want to study literature in Washington D.C.?

CatholicU’s English language and literature program includes 54 credit of coursework, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation. The comprehensive exam consists of three parts:

• literary theory
• the history of criticism

After you pass the exam, you will begin your dissertation, described by CatholicU as “a substantial piece of original research,” which “gives the doctoral program its capstone.”

CatholicU’s location allows you to become fully immersed in literary history since you are among some of the most reputable museums, research collections, and libraries. Classes are small, so you will get personalized attention, including pedagogical training. CatholicU offers funding for this English language and literature PhD program for up to seven years.

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters features a “flexible and dynamic” PhD in English that entails 42 credits of literary criticism courses, preparing you for:

• individualized reading courses
• independent study

Your written and oral exams in the third year will assess your knowledge and skills in your specialization, a secondary field, literary theory, and methodology.

You will then focus on researching for your dissertation, which you will defend in year five or six. 

Notre Dame also offers a 5+1 program that gives job incentives for students finishing this program in five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

PhD graduates can find rewarding careers in academia, journalism, media, and other communication fields. You can also become a content strategist or explore writing opportunities. Your expertise in language and literature opens doors to diverse fields of research and publishing.

Historical trends indicate PhDs in English graduates find jobs in academia, research, publishing, and related fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of postsecondary teachers (which includes university professors) is projected to grow 8% through 2032. This should result in about 118,000 new job openings each year, over the next 10 years.

Pay varies for PhD in English graduates, based on factors such as experience, location, and employment sector. In academia, assistant professors with a PhD in English start with salaries ranging from $60,000 to $80,000, while more experienced professors earn higher salaries.

A PhD in English typically takes 5 to 7 years. It involves coursework, comprehensive exams, dissertation research, and writing. Some online PhD programs allow students to finish their degree in less time, but the average is 6 years.

Many PhD programs in English offer financial support to students, which can include tuition waivers, stipends, and teaching or research assistant positions. Students often receive compensation for their teaching or research contributions, helping to offset costs during their doctoral studies. Stipends and compensation for teaching or research assistantships can range from a few thousand dollars to more substantial amounts, depending on the university, location, and program.

Yes, earning a PhD in English grants you the title of “Doctor.” When you successfully complete a doctoral program, including a PhD in English, you’re awarded the academic title of “Doctor of Philosophy.” You can use the prefix “Dr.” before your name in professional and academic contexts.

Yes, it is possible to pursue a PhD in English without a master’s degree. Some doctoral programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree directly into their PhD programs, providing specific academic and admission requirements are met.

Top 10 Most Affordable English PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024

We rank the most affordable online PhD doctorate programs in English. It is possible to find a highly reputable program that is also affordable.

Key Takeaways

• Students in English doctoral programs become proficient in literary analysis, cultural understanding, and research techniques.
• Students may enroll in a PhD in English degree program to pursue literary education, teaching, or research-focused careers.
• To make online English PhD programs even more affordable, schools offer generous financial aid packages, grants, scholarships, and assistantships.

Featured Programs

What is an online phd in english.

The greatest degree a person with a master’s degree in English Language and Literature can receive is a doctorate of philosophy or simply a PhD in English. It’s a broad-based doctoral degree that gives students the tools they need to conduct in-depth research.

An English doctoral degree not only helps professionals get familiar with the subtleties of different writing styles but also gives them a thorough understanding of how literature and language affect how people react to the outside world.

An online PhD in English doctorate degree program provides a solid grounding in literary works and regional cultures. Because it emphasizes expertise in one of the world’s most commonly spoken language, a PhD is an impressive credential.

What To Expect from an Online Doctorate Degree in English

Admission requirements for online phd in english degree programs.

Prospective doctoral students will typically be required to submit the following in order to qualify for admission into an online doctoral program in English:

• A completed online application
• Official undergraduate college transcripts
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interviews
• Personal statement or essay
• Plan of study

Key Point: In most cases, prospective doctoral students will be required to have earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English or a related field as well. Be sure you’ve completed all required undergraduate and graduate coursework before applying to your doctoral degree program.

Duration of an Online Doctoral Program in English

Online PhD in English degree programs can be pursued either full- or part-time. A part-time course takes 4-5 years to finish, whereas a full-time program typically lasts three years. Online English PhD programs include a thesis of between 60,000 and 100,000 words that must be submitted during the last year of study to be awarded the degree.

Doctoral Student Dissertations

In most cases, the central component of your online PhD program will be the completion of your dissertation. After being accepted as an online PhD candidate, most doctorate students will develop an original research question.

This research question forms the basis of the dissertation—an ongoing project designed to address this research question through applied research. A doctoral student will work closely with an advisor or mentor, although much of the dissertation will be rooted in independent research. This is especially true for students pursuing an online PhD.

Oral Defense

Upon completion of the written portion of the dissertation the student will be expected to defend their findings. This “oral defense” will typically be conducted by a commission of professors and experts in the field of English. PhD candidates in some online degree programs may be able to conduct this defense via teleconferencing.

Teaching Requirements

Some PhD online degree programs will also include a teaching component, which will require the student to work as an adjunct professor or teacher’s assistant in an undergraduate or graduate school. It may be possible for students in the online doctoral degree program to also serve teaching requirements by instructing online students.

Bottom Line: The main component of affordable online doctorate degrees in English is the dissertation. It will be a central part of your online doctoral degree program.

Areas of Study and Research in Online Doctor of English Programs

Literature and culture.

Students pursuing English PhD online degrees focusing on international literature or the confluence of literature and history will develop critical theory skills by analyzing works of topics such as feminism or post-colonialism. Additionally, they will use these approaches to analyze broad media and literary works.

Rhetoric and Communication

All doctoral candidates will learn to do critical research, effectively organize arguments and facts, and communicate both orally and in writing.

Common courses in rhetoric and communication include:

• The administration of writing programs
• The history and philosophy of rhetoric
• The impact of language and rhetoric on individuals, society, culture, and politics

Technology Resources

Students in these programs learn to study the importance of technology and media related to the scholarship. Online PhD programs in English use technology to teach and do research. Students get practical knowledge for roles in academia and business where they may apply the research and strategic skills they obtained while pursuing their doctorates in English.

Are there affordable online PhD in English degree programs?

Yes, finding an accredited and affordable quality online PhD in English degree program is possible.

Luckily there are many affordable online doctoral programs to choose from, especially in English.

A growing number of highly reputable universities have hybrid or fully online doctoral programs in English. These programs are perfect for busy graduate students trying to manage their time and balancing coursework, career, and family demands. This makes an affordable online PhD program especially attractive.

Take a look at our affordable degree guide for even more tips on making a doctorate degree as affordable as possible.

Here are some ways to ensure that an online doctoral programs in English are as affordable as possible.

In-state Tuition

The cost of online doctorate degree programs in English vary based on several factors. Most colleges and universities charge more for out-of-state students. However, there are some schools that offer flat-rate tuition, which means that in-state and out-of-state students pay the same per credit cost.

Other Expenses

Earning an online PhD in English degree as opposed to a traditional on-campus doctorate degree makes it possible to save money on expenses like housing, transportation, and certain campus fees.

Continue Working

Online learning also makes it possible to continue working in your field, which means you can complete your doctorate program while still earning a living. This can ultimately reduce your dependence on student loan debt.

Doctoral programs in English are a great option for busy professionals who want to continue their education while juggling work and family life.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, Grants, and Loans

If affordability is a particular concern, and it is making you reluctant to pursue a PhD in English online doctorate degree, you may be able to take advantage of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans.

For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website. It is especially important that you only consider online programs that are accredited in order to qualify.

Assistantships

Many schools offering PhD in English online programs also have assistantship opportunities for their graduate students. Assistantships may give teaching opportunities in exchange for tuition waivers and a stipend. Each school is different, so check into the online program in English doctorate degree that you are interested in.

Bottom Line: Affordable online PhD in English programs are possible when you factor in things like in-state tuition, financial aid, grants, and assistantships.

The Most Affordable Online PhD in English Doctorates

Texas a&m university.

• #2 Best Colleges in Texas 2024
• #3 Best Grad Schools In Texas 2025
• #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #13 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #24 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #1 Top 5 Best Online English PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Texas 2024
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
• #3 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2024
• #5 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #9 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice
• #11 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
• #11 Best RN to BSN Online
• #13 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #20 Best Online Master's in Management

Tuition + fees

Student body

Median SAT/ACT

Career Outlook for English degree at Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Engineering
• Earth Sciences
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

• C. Wright Mills
• Frank Malina
• Gilbert Shelton
• Henry Cisneros
• Richard Steadman
• Kenneth Womack
• Elaine Ingham
• Forrest Mims
• Adrian Smith
• H. W. Brands
• Lihong V. Wang

Texas A&M University is the first public institution in Texas. The university is now considered a research-intensive flagship university committed to graduating leaders of several sectors who are ready to face future challenges and change the world. TAMU is also a world leader in online education and affordable degree programs.

One of TAMU’s affordable degrees is the PhD in English , designed for academic professionals seeking expertise and a specialized post-secondary position teaching English and literacy.

The program costs $758 per credit hour . Students can further customize their English online doctorate by choosing one of the program’s concentrations: linguistics, composition and rhetoric, and American, British, and children’s literature.

• Required Credits: 60
• Completion time: 4-5 years
• Format: Online

What we love about Texas A&M University

The traditions. Everyone looking for a top-notch education and a connected network after graduation should consider attending this school because it strongly emphasizes traditions and school spirit.

Texas A&M University is great for students who:

Value knowledge, heritage, and community. TAMU is strong in creating campus events that develop students’ sense of community.

Texas A&M University might not be the best fit for students who:

Prefer to have less diversity in the classroom.

Old Dominion University

• #8 Best Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Virginia
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the District Of Columbia
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
• #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia
• #3 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration
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• #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Virginia 2024
• #4 Top 5 Best Online English PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs for 2024
• #6 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Computer Science
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising Degree Programs for 2024
• #6 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #7 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity 2025
• #7 Best Online Bachelor’s of Health Science Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #7 Best Online Master's in English
• #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
• #9 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of English Programs
• #9 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
• #10 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #10 15 Most Affordable Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
• #10 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
• #11 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
• #13 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting 2025
• #13 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #18 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students
• #19 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management
• #23 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #24 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #25 Best Online Master's in Special Education
• #4 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
• #13 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024

Career Outlook for English degree at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Political Science
• Justin Verlander
• Nancy Lieberman
• Serkan Golge
• Ticha Penicheiro
• Linda B. Hayden
• Richard C. McCarty
• Kent Bazemore
• Bonita V. Saunders
• Sarah McCoy
• Jack T. Kirby
• Philip C. Kendall

Old Dominion University is a forward-focused public doctoral research university that offers rigorous academics, a vibrant residential community, and projects that boost Virginia’s economy by $2.6 billion annually. Through ODUGlobal, Old Dominion University offers more than 120 online programs to help working professionals fit their studies into busy work and life schedules.

The online PhD in English at ODU is one of the most affordable online doctorates, with in-state and out-of-state tuition of $571 and $595 per credit hour. It combines textual studies, rhetoric, discourse, and writing designed for academic and non-academic professionals. This online program offers Literary and Cultural studies; Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse Studies; and Technology and Media Studies as concentrations. Students can also design their emphasis based on their future goals.

• Required Credits: 48
• Completion time: 3 years

What we love about Old Dominion University

The diversity and medium-sized classes are two of ODU’s strongest features. Students here interact with professors and peers worldwide, much as in the real world.

Old Dominion University is great for students who:

Seek engagement with other cultural and ethnic groupings.

Old Dominion University might not be the best fit for students who:

Lack of self-confidence and is unable to work independently.

Murray State University

• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Kentucky
• #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Kentucky 2024
• #3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Agribusiness and Agriculture Degree Programs
• #4 Best Online MBA in Healthcare Management Ranked for Students in 2024
• #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky
• #5 Top 5 Best Online English PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Kentucky 2024
• #6 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2024
• #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #11 Best Online Master's in English
• #12 Best Online Master's in Economics
• #12 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs
• #13 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #14 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #14 Best Online Associate in General Studies
• #18 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
• #18 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
• #23 Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration

Career Outlook for English degree at Murray State University

Murray State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Jeff Easley
• David L. Armstrong
• Popeye Jones
• Chris Thile
• Terry Yates
• W. Earl Brown
• Kirk Rueter
• Bill Cunningham

Murray State University offers a top-notch education that includes experiential learning, academic and personal growth, and the chance to secure a lifetime of success. MSU has been dedicated to fostering leaders in the community, the nation, and the world since 1922. Murray State University has expanded its online offerings to keep up with the current demand for flexible learning.

Murray State University’s online Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy caters to secondary and post-secondary teachers looking to specialize in English.

The program offers affordable online tuition of $559.50 per credit hour. The program is linked to the aspects of work that teachers and other professionals do, and it encourages students to use their professional environments as sites of reflection and imaginative inquiry.

Students can specialize in writing, language, literacy, or literature.

• Completion time: 4 years

What we love about Murray State University

The rigorous academics, faculty support, the combination of large-university educational opportunities and the small student-to-faculty ratio of small universities.

Murray State University is great for students who:

Are academically driven, goal-oriented, and accepting of variety and different civilizations.

Murray State University might not be the best fit for students who:

Are unwilling to study or participate on campus and dislike the small-town atmosphere of the college.

Anaheim University

Anaheim University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Communications

Anaheim University is a leader in higher learning. The university offers students the chance to interact with the most famous specialists in their fields in a user-friendly and interactive environment through its cutting-edge online, face-to-face learning environment. This allows students to develop both their knowledge and professional abilities. One of the school’s strengths is its English majors.

Anaheim offers one of the most affordable online doctoral programs for students interested in gaining the technical and professional knowledge and the research skills necessary to hold leadership positions in the TESOL industry.

The online Doctor of Education in TESOL prepares online students to work as directors of programs where English is taught as a second or foreign language and contributes to programs that prepare English language teachers. Students will also learn how to research language teaching and testing and create language curricula and teaching resources, among other careers.

With an affordable tuition fee of $500 per credit hour, this online doctoral degree is vastly considered by working professionals.

• Required Credits: 76

What we love about Anaheim University

The school’s commitment to its students. Anaheim gives students worldwide a chance to further their careers while receiving a top-notch education without taking any loans or incurring any debt.

Anaheim University is great for students who:

Thrive in a tight-knit community.

Anaheim University might not be the best fit for students who:

Prefer to learn in a diverse environment and want to have vast options of degree majors.

Indiana University Bloomington

• #2 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2024
• #2 Best Colleges in Indiana 2024
• #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2024
• #2 Best Research Universities in Indiana 2024
• #1 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs
• #1 15 Most Affordable Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
• #1 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of English Programs
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Indiana
• #2 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
• #2 Best Online Degree Completion Programs for Returning Students
• #3 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2024
• #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Indiana 2024
• #6 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
• #6 Top 8 Best Online Public Health PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #13 Best Schools in the World for Earning an MBA Degree Ranked for 2024
• #18 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students
• #24 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for English degree at Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Anthropology
• Social Work
• James Watson
• René Girard
• David Chalmers
• David Starr Jordan
• Alice Dreger
• Stephen F. Cohen
• Robert M. French
• Isiah Thomas
• Marcia Baron
• Will Shortz

Indiana University Bloomington is one of the university’s eight campuses spread around the state. IU Bloomington makes top-tier contributions to science and the arts, distinguished by their originality, innovation, and commitment to academic freedom. Concerning economic, social, and cultural development and providing leadership in innovative answers to problems unique to the twenty-first century, IU aims to forge vibrant connections with the nation’s capital and local communities.

The affordable online EdD in Literacy, Culture and Language Education at IU Bloomington offers a high caliber of education that advances the knowledge of literacy and language education of students.

This program provides comprehensive coursework that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to comprehend and manage the problems and challenges of the twenty-first century. Students enrolled will study in a cohort model that encourages collaboration.

In-state and out-of-state per credit hour are an affordable $519.93 and $615.45, respectively.

What we love about Indiana University Bloomington

The school’s engaging and colorful traditions and spirit create a sense of belonging for all students.

Indiana University Bloomington is great for students who:

Don’t mind being around people of many backgrounds who want to further their education in a sizable but welcoming community.

Indiana University Bloomington might not be the best fit for students who:

Have trouble making new acquaintances and feel awkward participating in extracurricular activities.

Northcentral University

• #18 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #19 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
• #10 Fastest Accelerated Online PhDs in Education Degree Programs 2024
• #16 20 Fastest Accelerated Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Northcentral University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Northcentral University is one of the cheapest Christian-based universities in the nation and a pioneer in online education. Northcentral provides more than 60 majors and minors, allowing students to explore their interests and work toward their objectives while getting ready to serve God in many capacities.

Northcentral University’s EdD in English Language Learning online is a specialization that works beyond the master’s degree of students, focuses on English language acquisition, and features an optional track for completing a dissertation.

Students can enroll in specialty courses like Second Language, Curriculum Development for ESL Students, and Evaluation of Diverse Students. Those who want further hands-on learning can participate in optional practicum assignments.

The degree is not a guarantee of ELL/ESL certification. Students must research their particular state requirements.

• Completion time: 33 months

What we love about Northcentral University

Northcentral University offers some of the best mentors and advisors that help students carefully select their majors, maximize their college experience, and find internship opportunities.

Northcentral University is great for students who:

Have a close relationship with God and are looking for a place where they can develop spiritually and academically.

Northcentral University might not be the best fit for students who:

Do not practice religion. All students must minor in the Bible because this school is an assembly of God institution.

University of Central Florida

• #3 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Research Universities in Florida 2024
• #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #6 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
• #12 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
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• #1 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
• #3 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Speech Pathology
• #3 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Florida 2024
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• #5 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs
• #5 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of English Programs
• #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
• #5 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
• #5 Best Online Master's in English
• #6 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics
• #6 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Anthropology
• #6 Best Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs
• #6 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration
• #7 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management
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• #18 Best Online Master’s in Education
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• #21 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #23 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
• #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
• #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
• #14 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for English degree at University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Lisa Anthony
• Glenn Hubbard
• Mihaela Cardei
• Mark O'Mara
• Richard L. Daft
• Colleen M. Fitzpatrick
• Sajal K. Das
• Kenneth Stanley
• Asante Samuel
• Matt Prater
• Isabel Escobar
• Tabetha S. Boyajian

The University of Central Florida is a public urban research university with multiple campuses committed to serving the diverse and growing people of its surrounding towns and its technological corridors and international partners. The university provides excellent undergraduate and graduate education, student development, continuing education, research, creative activities, and services that support the metropolitan area’s intellectual, cultural, environmental, and economic development. It also includes addressing important national and international issues and establishing UCF as a significant global presence.

UCF’s online Curriculum and Instruction, EdD , offers an English Language Arts specialization designed for students who want to study literacy, literature, and diversity. This specialization comprises reading, writing, listening, speaking, seeing, and producing texts. These texts cover a range of narrative, informative, and literary genres and visual content that can be accessed digitally and on paper.

In-state students pay an astoundingly affordable $327.32 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $1,151.72 per credit hour.

• Required Credits: 54-57

What we love about the University of Central Florida

The endless opportunities are UCF’s strongest point. Every major at UCF is extremely challenging but also incredibly rewarding. This school offers countless internship possibilities that can be obtained at any stage of education.

The University of Central Florida is great for students who:

Are ambitious and can learn independently.

The University of Central Florida might not be the best fit for students who:

Prefer to have individualized attention from their advisors.

Kennesaw State University

• #13 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity 2025
• #14 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
• #19 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
• #23 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
• #19 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024

Kennesaw State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Ali Shilatifard
• Larry Nelson
• Dar'shun Kendrick
• Daniel Haugh

Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia. It is dedicated to developing into a top-tier academic institution that can broaden its educational and research missions and increase its local, regional, and national scope.

Kennesaw State was designated a comprehensive university by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Today, Kennesaw State has fully adapted online degree programs to give non-traditional students further access to affordable and accessible higher learning education.

The online EdD in Secondary Education English at Kennesaw State University caters to Master of Education graduates or a related field. This online English doctorate equips students with the necessary knowledge, abilities, and attitudes to function as learner-centered experts engaged in scholarly investigation and research. Students pay an affordable per credit hour of $383 .

• Required Credits: 66

What we love about Kennesaw State University

The world-class faculty and academic support from the school’s in-the-know advisors.

Kennesaw State University is great for students who:

Want to have the experience of a small school.

Kennesaw State University might not be the best fit for students who:

Dislike interacting with others from diverse origins and points of view.

Columbia University

• #3 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
• #3 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online
• #3 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
• #6 Best Universities in the World 2024
• #8 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024
• #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #1 Best Colleges in New York 2024
• #1 Best Research Universities in New York 2024
• #1 Best Grad Schools in New York 2024
• #1 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
• #1 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #2 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #2 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees
• #2 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
• #2 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
• #2 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #3 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
• #4 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
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• #7 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
• #7 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
• #7 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees
• #8 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
• #1 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Computer Science
• #1 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Computer Science Doctorates (PhDs)
• #1 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
• #1 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
• #5 Guide to Free Online Courses for MBA Students in 2024
• #1 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students
• #3 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #4 Best Schools in the World for Earning an MBA Degree Ranked for 2024
• #13 The Fastest Traditional MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Columbia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Milton Friedman
• Herbert Marcuse
• Murray Rothbard
• Stephen Jay Gould
• Carl Rogers
• Kenneth Arrow
• B. R. Ambedkar
• Isaac Asimov
• Robert Nozick
• Margaret Mead
• Thomas Sowell
• Jerry Fodor

Columbia University , an Ivy League institution, is one of the most renowned colleges and universities worldwide. The school uses its setting to offer students various resources and educational opportunities. The Columbia core curriculum, which includes literature, writing, art, and science courses, benefits students aiming for a comprehensive liberal arts education. Each year, Columbia invests around $1 billion in research.

Columbia’s Teachers College offers an affordable, Ivy League EdD in English program. While the $1,913 per credit hour may seem heavy on some students, this is one of the cheapest degrees from a private Ivy League institution.

This online EdD in English degree program emphasizes educational practice and allows students to choose courses that support their academic and career objectives. This English language learning degree also includes a dissertation tackling a more practical research topic.

• Required Credits: 90
• Completion time: 5 years

What we love about Columbia University

The ground-breaking research and strong undergraduate programs. The school is also known for providing a core curriculum that exposes students to a wide range of subjects to broaden their academic horizons.

Columbia University is great for students who:

Are self-sufficient, independent, and academically driven but also eager to experience city life and participate in various social activities.

Columbia University might not be the best fit for students who:

Want to have a party atmosphere because Columbia University is not a party school.

St. John's University

• #11 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees

St. John's University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• John Esposito
• Edmund Pellegrino
• Charles J. Hynes
• Leszek Balcerowicz
• P. Kevin Castel
• George Deukmejian
• Martin Ritt
• Mario Cuomo
• Frank Macchiarola
• Mark Jackson

St. John’s University is one of the oldest and top Catholic universities in the United States. The university is renowned for its exceptional academic offerings, which include over 100 majors leading to certification, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. St. John’s is also a top choice for Catholic students earning their degrees online at a more affordable tuition rate.

St. John’s University offers an affordable $1,265 per credit hour online PhD in Literacy: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) . The International TESOL Association has designated the courses of this specialization to satisfy the highest professional TESOL requirements.

The program allows students to learn from a comprehensive English language curriculum that offers authentic, collaborative learning opportunities and undertakes in-depth linguistic and cultural disparities analyses. Graduates can work in non-teaching fields, such as curriculum and materials creation, program management, and teacher training.

• Required Credits: 42
• Completion time: 3-4 years

What we love about St. John’s University

The school’s endless activities. There is never “nothing to do” at St. John’s because there are over 180 student clubs and organizations on campus. St John’s hosts an Activities Fair every year to teach students about the many opportunities for involvement in academics, sports, the arts, social life, and the community.

St. John’s University is great for students who:

Enjoy a small campus and like intimate classroom settings.

St. John’s University might not be the best fit for students who:

Are shy and afraid to voice out. St. John’s is always looking for students who want to speak up and make a difference.

Career Outlook for Students with English Degree

English language and literature, degree level: doctorate.

• Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
• Avg. Starting Salary*: $54,937
• Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $61,994
• * denotes ‘annually’

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Unlocking Possibilities: What Can You Do With a PhD in English?

The world of academia has long been associated with the pursuit of knowledge, scholarly research and teaching careers. For years, earning a PhD in English was almost synonymous with pursuing a career within academia. But, as the landscape of education and industry continues to evolve, so do the options available to English PhD graduates.

The assumption that an academic career is the sole path for English PhDs is shifting, revealing a multitude of exciting and rewarding alternatives.

Is a PhD in English on your to-do list? Get all the facts before you apply  — find out if a humanities PhD is worth it for you!

Shifting Focus: the State of Employment in Academia

Traditionally, tenure-track positions were the ultimate goal for aspiring academics. But the job market has become increasingly competitive, leaving a limited number of academic jobs for English Phds seeking employment. Moreover, the rise of adjunct positions, which offer less stability and fewer benefits, has created an environment where job security in academia is more elusive than ever — even well-qualified English PhDs can find themselves navigating through a maze of adjunct positions and temporary contracts. 

As a result, English PhDs are reconsidering the assumption that academia is their only option. This shift in academia’s landscape has sparked a conversation about the need to broaden career horizons and consider alternative paths that utilize the skills and knowledge gained during doctoral studies. 

Exploring Alternatives: English PhD Jobs Outside of Academia

The desire for stability and a healthier work-life balance is a driving factor for many scholars leaving academia. The uncertainty surrounding tenure-track positions, coupled with the pressure to publish prolifically and compete for dwindling opportunities, has led many to seek alternatives in various industries and fields. 

On the bright side, English PhDs are uniquely qualified to work in nearly any field and the skills acquired during their study are highly transferable. Critical thinking, research proficiency, effective communication and the ability to analyze complex narratives are all qualities that can be applied to a wide range of career options. 

The Expansive Landscape of Non-Academic Careers

While tenure-track positions in academia are few and far between, the world outside the academy is teeming with opportunities that align with the skillset and passion of English PhDs. Here’s a glimpse into the exciting array of non-academic careers English PhDs are well suited for:

1. Content Strategist and Brand Storyteller:

English PhDs thrive in the realm of content strategy and brand storytelling. Their profound understanding of narratives and language nuances can transform English PhDs into sought-after content creators, crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences across industries.

2. Media and Communication Specialist:

Mastery of language empowers English PhDs to excel in media and communication roles. Whether crafting press releases, managing social media content, or curating engaging digital campaigns, their ability to convey messages effectively is invaluable.

3. Technical Writer and Documentation Expert:

Navigating the world of technical writing, where clarity and precision reign, is second nature for many English PhDs. Their meticulous analysis and eloquent communication make them proficient creators of user manuals, guides and documentation for intricate subjects.

4. Cultural Critic and Reviewer:

English PhDs know how analytical prowess can shape cultural discourse. Becoming critics or reviewers for literature, art, film, or even pop culture is an avenue where English PhDs can use their insights to influence public opinion and shape trends.

5. Marketing Analyst and Consumer Insight Expert:

Armed with finely-tuned research skills, English PhDs are a good fit for market research. As marketing analysts, they decode consumer behavior, unearth market trends and offer strategic insights crucial for business growth. 

6. Public Relations and Corporate Communications:

Their knack for persuasive language aligns English PhDs seamlessly with public relations and corporate communications. Managing reputation, crisis communication, and maintaining brand image become their forte.

7. Grant Writer and Nonprofit Advocate:

English PhDs who excel at persuasive writing to make a tangible impact may find their perfect home in the nonprofit space. By becoming a grant writer or working with nonprofits in other ways, English PhDs can contribute to social change and secure funding for noble causes.

8. Publishing Industry Specialist:

As editors, manuscript reviewers or content curators, English PhDs are well-suited to navigate the publishing world. Their discerning eye and deep understanding of literature can contribute to shaping literary landscapes.

9. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

Launching a blog, podcast, or digital platform allows English PhDs to blend their love for literature with modern technology, catering to niche audiences and carving a unique path.

10. Government and Policy Analyst:

The critical thinking skills gained in an English PhD program are assets in governmental or policy roles. Analyzing complex documents, articulating ideas succinctly, and contributing to informed decision-making are roles where an English PhD’s expertise shines.

Earning a PhD in English isn’t just about academics; it's about embracing a multifaceted world of opportunities. The journey you embark on equips you with skills that transcend traditional boundaries. As you step beyond the classroom, remember that your passion for language, critical thinking, and storytelling has the power to redefine industries and carve pathways less traveled. The possibilities are boundless, waiting for you to embrace them and make your mark in an ever-evolving professional landscape.

Learn more about what doctoral study in the humanities can do for you in our guide!

Are you intrigued by the diverse possibilities a PhD in English can unlock? Connect with us at SMU's Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies to explore how our program can pave the way for your journey into these exciting career realms. Your expertise has the potential to shape industries and redefine success.

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English (Literature), PHD

On this page:.

At a Glance: program details

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD English (Literature)

The PhD program in English with a concentration in literature trains students in various methodologies, pedagogies and areas of inquiry that constitute literary and cultural studies.

With a diverse and distinguished faculty, the program offers opportunities for specialization in traditional areas of literary criticism, cultural analysis and theory, as well as various fields of interdisciplinary study.

A doctorate in literature equips students with a range of highly sought-after skills and competencies: research and analysis of complex material, communication in written and oral modes, collaboration, independence and self-motivation, creativity and adaptability.

The PhD in English (literature) at ASU is a premier graduate program in the U.S. with strong interdisciplinary ties and faculty links to research centers on campus and in the state, including the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, the Institute for Humanities Research, and the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. With these resources and a strong mentorship program at their fingertips, our graduates are prepared for a wide array of professional opportunities including careers in college teaching, research, writing, editing, higher education, and humanities-related organizations.

Lee Bebout ,  Director  

Kira Assad, Program Manager

Faculty in Literature

Doctoral Examinations

Doctoral Procedures and Timeline

Teaching Assistantships

Degree Requirements

Curriculum plan options.

• 84 credit hours, a foreign language exam, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

A student with an appropriate master's degree must complete a minimum of 54 credit hours of approved graduate work, which includes 12 credit hours of dissertation, provided the student's master's degree is accepted by the supervisory committee and the academic unit. Research hours may be used toward coursework in consultation with the advisor.

A student without an appropriate master's degree must complete 84 credit hours of work at ASU. At the advisor's discretion, students may include up to 12 credit hours of appropriate, graduate-level coursework undertaken at another university and not previously counted toward any other degree.

Specifically required are six credit hours in theory courses and ENG 501 Approaches to Research. Students must complete eight graduate courses in any of the following categories:

• cultural studies
• ethnic studies
• gender studies
• history and structure of the English language
• literature 1500--1660
• literature 1660--1900
• literature since 1900
• literature to 1500
• postcolonial or anglophone literatures

Students must take at least five graduate seminars at the 600 level en route to the doctorate, at least three of which must be taken in the doctoral program. Up to 12 credit hours taken outside the department may be counted toward the degree. Students should consult with their supervisory committees when choosing electives.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of purpose
• resume or curriculum vitae
• three letters of recommendation
• academic writing sample relevant to the field
• statement of teaching philosophy (teaching assistantship only)
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency, regardless of current residency. Applicants can find more information about English proficiency requirements on the school website . Please note that official scores must be sent to ASU in order for the application to be processed.

The well-considered, one- to two-page, single-spaced statement of purpose should explain the applicant's scholarly background and training, career goals, proposed research specialization, any secondary field of interest and why the applicant wishes to pursue a PhD in English (Literature) at Arizona State University. Applicants applying for funding must also submit a statement of teaching philosophy.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

• Identify and evaluate various disciplinary arguments, trends, traditions and debates within the knowledge community of literary and cultural studies scholars.
• Demonstrate the ability to produce written work of publishable quality.
• Demonstrate research skills necessary to bring a project of literary or cultural analysis to fruition, including the ability to evaluate disciplinary debates and developments; and the ability to produce research on historical and cultural meanings of texts and related cultural productions.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers in higher education and other fields that value this expertise. Sectors employing high numbers of arts and humanities graduates include information and communication, financial and insurance, public administration and defense, arts and entertainment, and education.

Career examples include:

• art director
• criminal investigator or special agent
• intelligence analyst
• market research analyst
• museum curator, educator or exhibit designer
• political analyst
• public relations specialist or manager
• technical writer

Global Opportunities

Global experience.

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-3194

Why study a PhD in English literature?

Studying for a phd in english literature is not just a “run-on from an ma”, writes john francis davies, but requires deep introspection and societal awareness.

John Francis Davies

What is the point of a doctorate in English literature? It’s an easy trap to become deterministic about this question: it is no single thing. To my mind, there are two main reasons to spend four years in speech, word, and thought. One is to do with the field of study itself, and the other with the lifestyle it sustains.

The study of English literature is primarily heuristic – so, an enabling discipline. There is no escaping language. It’s everywhere: in the waking and the sleeping, through the loud music, over the desk at work, in the mouths and minds of friend and stranger. It’s the thing that strains in the voice during bickering arguments or vindication against family accusations.

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It is in the rhetoric and the row. It’s out there in remote places or in the long-watched painting at the gallery. It forms what we see and what we do and how we feel. The omnipresence of language is the greatest serendipity and the greatest struggle. Given that life is so substantially governed by language, it shall never fail to fascinate us.

Top universities for English literature What can you do with an English literature degree?

A doctorate is not just a run-on from an MA but a genuine effort to make a societal contribution, no matter how small. English as a discipline can be a vivifying force for both individual and social liberty.

One need only to consider great editorial achievements of the 20th century, like Christopher Ricks’ scholarship on Alfred Tennyson or, today, the ongoing 30-volume Correspondence of Charles Darwin , and the progress of digital humanities for open access.

It is clear, too, why academics such as C.S. Lewis became more invested in journalism. Today, we need far more literary critics to step forward to provide not only social commentary but alternative social role models. Words are deeds: they create reality.

More articles on PhDs

What is a PhD? Advice for PhD students Eight habits to help you get through your PhD Finishing studying…and starting again

A PhD in English, with all its constituent parts, facilitates a cerebral life. In a society of people constantly persuaded to look outside themselves, doctoral students are being inspired by deep thought, and become unequivocally satisfied in the value of their work. The feeling of value about one’s work is capricious, but what is immutable is that work’s value to you.

“What we learn from experience,” C.S. Lewis tells us, “depends on the kind of philosophy we bring to it.” That philosophy finds form and depth through what we study. University is not, or at least should not be, some hiatus before resuming one’s place in the world. It’s a way of living.

John Francis Davies is a Doctor of English based at the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, University of Oxford

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Ph.D. in English

Our nationally ranked Ph.D. program provides specialized training in literary, cultural and language studies for students who plan to teach at universities and colleges. 

Related Resources

• English Ph.D. Handbook
• Job Placement

English Ph.D. students pursue individualized programs of study within the parameters of our degree requirements; they share the qualities of excellent critical thinking and writing, and above all, of intellectual curiosity. Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive, but all admitted students receive a five-year funding package. Once our students enter, they are mutually supportive and develop networks of collegial friends often maintained beyond their time at UMD.

Our students gain extensive teaching experience as part of their training at UMD, and our placement record is among the best in the nation.

Students moving successfully toward the Ph.D. degree are expected to complete the degree typically in five to six years. To maintain their status, students are expected to make satisfactory progress; those who do not may be eligible to change their degree objective from the Ph.D. to the M.A.

The Ph.D. curriculum offers opportunities for advanced study in a variety of literary and language fields, including literary and cultural history; aesthetic, critical and cultural theory; digital and media studies; humanistic engagement with the sciences; and language, rhetoric and composition. The curriculum addresses a series of broad questions relevant to such studies: What are the histories, genealogies and futures of literary, cultural and rhetorical studies? What is the relationship of such work to society, politics and history? To the media of representation and communication? To reading and writing practices? To disciplinarity and institutional contexts? How do we conceptualize, teach and apprehend aesthetics through literary and other modes of cultural expression? The courses available to doctoral students particularize such broad issues and, together with extensive attention to pedagogy and teacher-training, have as a general objective the training of students to identify and formulate compelling research questions and the preparation of students for long-term careers in academia.

The program combines flexibility with consistent and continuous mentorship from the faculty and the director of Graduate Studies (DGS). The degree requirements are as follows:

• a minimum of 10 courses (30 credits) at the graduate level, including three required courses, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.6 (see Satisfactory Progress)
• between 3 and 6 credits of ENGL898, Pre-candidacy Research
• reading facility in a second language
• successful passage of a qualifying examination
• an approved dissertation prospectus
• a successful dissertation defense

Students who begin the Ph.D. program having earned an M.A. in English would be expected to complete a minimum of 8courses (24 credits) of coursework.

Course Requirements

The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 10 courses (30 credits) for students entering the program without an M.A. This includes 2 required courses. All coursework must be completed with a minimum of a 3.6 GPA (see Satisfactory Progress). Students are required to take ENGL601: “Introduction to Graduate Studies”; and ENGL611: “Approaches to College Composition” as part of their 10 course requirement. In addition, students will select a minimum of 8 additional graduate courses. The degree assumes conversance with the major body of English and American literature as well as familiarity with bibliography, research methods and other necessary tools of the trade.

Students may take up to 2 independent-study courses to fulfill 600-level electives. Students interested in taking an independent-study course for elective credit should collaborate with their professor in writing up an intended course of study and file it with the Graduate Office for approval by the DGS before the first day of classes each semester. Please see the form here .

Students may also make special arrangements to do additional work in their 600-level courses to have those courses count as a seminar/700 level course. Students wishing to take a 600-level class as a seminar must provide the Graduate Studies Office with the required seminar credit form and syllabus detailing the additional work that will be undertaken in order for the course to be counted as a 700-level seminar at the beginning of the semester. Students may not take an independent study for seminar/700 level credit except in extreme circumstances and only after receiving permission from the DGS.

Newly admitted Ph.D. students entering the program with an M.A. from another institution should meet with the director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to have their academic record evaluated; the DGS will establish what courses taken during the previous M.A. can count toward the Ph.D. distribution requirements or recommend courses that will enable their completion. Students who begin the Ph.D. program having earned an M.A. in English from another institution would be expected to complete a minimum of 8 courses (24 credits) of coursework, but may be required to complete more at the DGS’s discretion. All Ph.D. students should select courses with two primary goals in mind: 1) filling in gaps in their knowledge of literary history and 2) developing an area of scholarly expertise and professionalization.

The DGS will help students select courses and act as the general advisor for students entering the program. Students will be assigned mentoring teams just prior to their first semester and this mentoring team, in conjunction with the DGS, will help them select courses for the second semester. After the first year in coursework, students can work directly with their mentors to choose appropriate courses.

During the coursework phase of the program each student will meet with his or her advising team and/or the DGS in order to assess academic progress and to discuss his or her intended degree track and plans for professionalization. Students whose GPA for the first completed 15 credits of coursework is 3.0 or lower will be offered the option of pursuing the terminal M.A. degree or of resigning from the graduate program altogether.

A note on incompletes: Students are generally discouraged from taking incompletes, but especially so at the beginning of their coursework, in order to ensure that academic progress can be accurately assessed. If an incomplete is necessary in the first 15 credits of coursework, the DGS must be consulted in addition to the instructor of the course. 

Foreign Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate, by equivalencies or exam, reading knowledge of one language other than English. When satisfying this requirement, students are encouraged to choose a foreign language that is appropriate for his or her area of doctoral studies. The director of Graduate Studies (DGS), the student's mentors and the student will coordinate in determining the appropriate language. In addition to the foreign language requirement administered by the Graduate Studies Office (GSO), the student's dissertation committee may also recommend more advanced proficiency in the language selected and/or work in an additional language; however, the student is obliged to be tested on (or to provide an equivalent for) only one language. The foreign language requirement must be fulfilled before the student can be admitted to his or her qualifying exam and no later than the fifth semester in the program in order to maintain satisfactory progress.

Equivalencies : Equivalencies include: native speaking ability; undergraduate major; passage of an equivalent requirement in another graduate program; a grade of B or better in a 300-level course in the language taken at the University of Maryland after starting the Ph.D. program. A 300-level course must emphasize the fluent use of the language in a variety of formats and all major assignments in the course must be conducted in the language and not in English. The written work for the course must be evaluated for language and style as well as for organizational accuracy and coherence. The DGS will determine whether coursework or other equivalencies are appropriate and sufficiently recent to attest to proficiency.

Timeline : If foreign language equivalency is not fulfilled prior to admission, students have the option of taking a foreign language exam at the end of their first or second semester of the Ph.D. program. Students who have not fulfilled the foreign language requirement by the end of their second semester will test out of or enroll in a prerequisite entry-level foreign language class in their third semester. Students will have the opportunity of (re-) taking the exam during the first week of their third semester. Students who pass the exam can drop the prerequisite language class. Students who do not pass will complete (or test out of) the pre-requisite class and will have another opportunity to take the language exam at the end of their third semester. Students who have not fulfilled the foreign language requirement by the end of their third semester will take a 300-level language class in their fourth semester. Students who do not receive a grade of “B” or better in the foreign language class during their fourth semester will retake the class or/and the language exam in their fifth semester. (Students admitted prior to Fall 2015 must fulfill their foreign language requirement by their 5th semester in the program, and before taking a qualifying exam, but are exempt from the rest of this timeline.)

The Foreign Language Exam : At least one month prior to the exam, students will choose and submit to the GSO for its approval two books of at least 200 pages in the foreign language, one primary work and one secondary work (both works must have been originally written in the target language and may not be translated works). The GSO will determine the appropriateness of the student’s choice. ('Appropriateness' does not necessarily mean that the primary text must come from your period of specialization and that the secondary text must be about your period, simply that the texts are equivalent in difficulty to other texts students are tested on.) Once the student’s choice of texts has been approved, the GSO will assign an appropriate faculty member to administer the exam and provide this faculty member with a set of guidelines and expectations for the foreign language exam. The faculty member administering the exam will choose a 250- to 300-word passage from each, the primary and the secondary work. The student will have three hours to prepare the translation with the help of a dictionary. The faculty administrator will evaluate the translations and determine whether or not the student passed or failed, based on the guidelines provided by the GSO. The GSO will keep on file all exams and make them available to students preparing for the exam.

Students will be assigned two faculty mentors in their first year and will serve as a research assistant for one of them in the fall and the other in the spring.

These advising teams are charged with meeting with the student at least once each semester and with filing a report (no more than a page) each semester on the student’s progress with the Graduate Studies office. Students are expected to remain in regular contact with their advisors.  The members of each advising team will help students select courses, otherwise navigate the program and begin the process of professionalization, and they will act generally as resources for the student, as well as sign off on the student's self-evaluation form. The DGS will remain available to all students in all stages of the program to assist in advising.

As students are preparing to advance to candidacy, the advising team will help the student form the qualifying examination committee. The advising committee may be separate from the examination committee. From this point until the constitution of the dissertation defense committee, the qualifying examination committee will act as the student's primary advisors.

All students are expected to keep regular contact with the DGS and their advising teams throughout all stages of the program. Measures to be used to assess progress include the student’s grades, other evidence of the quality of coursework, schedule for meeting requirements for candidacy and schedule for completing the dissertation.

Qualifying Exams

To advance to candidacy, all Ph.D. students must complete the oral Qualifying Examination. The language requirement must be satisfied before a student can take his or her qualifying exam. Students should contact the Graduate Office eight weeks before to schedule an exam date and reserve a room. A signed copy of the reading list must also be submitted when scheduling the exam .

Planning for the Qualifying Examination

In order to be admitted to Qualifying Exams, students must have satisfactorily completed all their coursework and met the foreign language requirement. Students with outstanding incompletes in coursework are not eligible to take the exam. Students should consult with their appointed advising teams in forming an examination committee that will administer the Qualifying Exam and serve as the student's advising committee until the constitution of the dissertation committee. The exam committee consists of four graduate faculty members, including a chair and three committee members. (Please note that while many students do keep the same committee for their dissertation, it is not a requirement.) Students register for a range of 3 to 6 credit hours of ENGL898, “Pre-Candidacy Research,” and are expected to meet regularly with the chair and at least one member of their examination committees under this rubric.

We encourage Ph.D. students to take the Qualifying Examination by their sixth semester in the doctoral program and expect them to sit for the exam no later than their seventh semester. Students who received an M.A. prior to admission are expected to complete coursework more quickly and take their qualifying exams as early as the fifth semester in the program.

The Reading List

The Qualifying Examination is based on a reading list compiled by the student in consultation with his or her committee. The list will include roughly 80-120 works, chosen to cover two of the following categories: a literary period; a recognized field; the proposed area of the dissertation.  For students planning to work in literature, it is assumed that a 100-year period will be covered. The field may be interpreted as any discrete literary concern that has accrued a body of serious critical thought and may include such diverse subjects as genre; literary, linguistic or theoretical criticism or methodology; a sub-period. Typically, students develop a literary period or field list of approximately 75 works and a more focused list of 25 works on the proposed dissertation topic; also typically, around 80 percent of the list consists of primary texts and 20 percent of secondary titles. But there are wide varieties in lists (some will be longer than others; some will have more criticism than others; etc.) The reading list must be approved by the committee chair and all committee members eight weeks prior to the examination. A copy of the reading list, signed by your committee, must be turned into the Graduate Office eight weeks prior to scheduling the exam.

The exam consists of two 60-minute parts: 1) an oral presentation by the student and follow-up discussion of the presentation; 2) a general examination on the reading lists.

Working in consultation with other members of the committee and the student, the committee chair prepares 2-4 topics for part one of the exam, the student's oral presentation. The student will receive the topics from the Graduate Office one week before the oral examination. The exam begins with the student's 15-20-minute oral presentation on the selected topic. The student may bring a copy of the reading list and brief notes to the exam. Students may also use PowerPoint or any other technological aid for their presentation. A 35-40 minute discussion follows the student's presentation.

Part two is an approximately one-hour examination on the student's two reading lists. The emphasis here is on breadth.

At the conclusion of the examination the student leaves the room and the committee discusses and votes on the student's performance. Three passing votes constitute a passing grade on the exam. If the student fails the exam, they can retake the exam the following semester. The student will receive a written assessment from the chair of the committee indicating the reasons for the failure. The examination committee and reading list should remain the same from the initial to the second attempt. Changes must be requested, in writing, to the DGS, and may be made only upon approval by the DGS. Failing the exam a second time disqualifies the student from continuing in the Ph.D. program. The DGS or a representative from the Graduate Studies Committee will be present at the second attempt to ensure procedural fairness. The chair of the examining committee informs the director of Graduate Studies in writing about the result of the exam.

Teaching assistants receive a step promotion and a small raise in stipend once they have advanced to candidacy. Upon advancing to candidacy, the student has four years to complete the dissertation; the Graduate School grants extensions only in extreme circumstances.  Students generally complete the dissertation in 2-3 years. Candidacy forms to be submitted to the Graduate School must be filed at the English graduate office. See Ph.D. Deadlines and Paperwork. Upon advancing to candidacy, students are expected to file a dissertation progress form (save to your hard drive to access the text fields) with the Graduate Office each semester.

Dissertation Prospectus

The prospectus is to be submitted within four months of passing the qualifying exam. The prospectus establishes that the student has defined a research question that is worth pursuing and is in a position to do a good job of pursuing it. The prospectus should be developed in consultation with your committee.

Dissertation

Students have successfully passed the qualifying exam and have advanced to candidacy. Upon advancing to candidacy, students are expected to file a dissertation progress form with the Graduate Office each semester. Ph.D. candidates are expected to file an approved dissertation prospectus within four months of passing the qualifying exam. At least three of the four members of the student’s dissertation committee are expected to meet annually with the student to review progress. A successful defense of dissertation is the final requirement for the degree. Students must graduate within four years of advancing to candidacy. All graduate students must register for courses and pay associated tuition and fees each semester, not including summer and winter sessions, until the degree is awarded. 

Dissertation Committee

The Ph.D. student should be thinking about assembling a Dissertation Committee while still taking courses and identifying areas of specialization for the Qualifying Examination. In many cases, the dissertation committee is the same as the Qualifying Examination committee. A Dissertation Committee consists of four faculty members (one of whom may be University of Maryland faculty outside of the English department), who advise the student on his/her dissertation. One member serves as the student's dissertation director. All members of the dissertation committee must be members of the University of Maryland's graduate faculty. If a student wishes to include in his or her dissertation committee a person who is not currently a member of the University's general graduate faculty, that person will have to be nominated by the department as adjunct or special member of the university's graduate faculty and approved as such by the Graduate School. The nomination by the department is made on the recommendation of the department's full graduate faculty by simple majority.

The Ph.D. student should consult with the director of Graduate Studies and his or her advising team concerning the selection of the Dissertation Committee.

The prospectus should demonstrate that the student:

• has defined and delimited an interesting research question
• can explain the importance of the research question and the contribution that it will make to the field
• is familiar with the existing scholarship related to the research question and can describe the relationship of the dissertation project to that scholarship (review of the literature)
• has developed a theoretical framework for the argument and a methodology for your project.

The prospectus should be between 8-12 pages in length. It should be written in clear prose and include a bibliography. The prospectus, including a one-page abstract and the completed prospectus form (signed by the all four committee members), should be turned in to the English graduate office.

Dissertation Workshop

We urge students to take the Dissertation Workshop (1 credit of ENGL898) in the semester following successful passage of the qualifying examination. Taught by members of the department’s faculty and convened weekly as a seminar, usually during the fall semester, the workshop concentrates on helping students advance their work on the dissertation, whether they are developing a prospectus or writing individual chapters.

Dissertation Template

Please refer to the Graduate School instructions for dissertation templates here (full dissertation template available here ) for clarity and guidance in constructing your dissertation for submission and committee review.

Dissertation Defense Committee

When the dissertation is nearly complete and the major advisor has approved moving on to this penultimate step, the Ph.D. candidate 1) submits to the Graduate School a request to appoint the Dissertation Oral Committee and 2) schedules the dissertation defense. Consisting of five faculty, this committee normally includes the four members of the candidate's Dissertation Committee and an additional member of the university’s graduate faculty serving as the graduate dean's representative.  

In accordance with Graduate School regulations, that representative must be from outside the department. All members of the Defense Committee appointed by the Graduate School must attend the defense. Students must submit their final draft of their dissertation to their committee at least two weeks before the defense date. Typically, the defense is a two-hour discussion of the dissertation. Four of the five members of the Dissertation Defense Committee must approve the dissertation in order for the student to pass.  

Please see the Dissertation Policies here

Submission of Dissertation

The approved dissertation must be submitted electronically to the Graduate School by the deadlines posted for graduation in a given semester (see the Graduate School Deadlines ). Information about all aspects of electronic submission of the dissertation is available on the Graduate School's website .

Completing the Ph.D. involves careful attention to deadlines imposed and paperwork required by the Graduate School.

Students are expected to complete their coursework and meet the foreign language requirement by no later than their fifth semester in the program. Please contact the Graduate Office to schedule your language exam and confirm the acceptability of equivalences if you wish to not take an exam to meet your language requirement. 

Students are expected to advance to candidacy by successfully passing their qualifying examination by their seventh semester in the program. Please contact the Graduate Office to schedule your qualifying exam. Submit your form for candidacy advancement to the Graduate Office (2116 Tawes) upon successful completion of your qualifying exam. Upon advancing to candidacy, students are expected to file a dissertation progress form with the Graduate Office each semester.

Students must file an approved dissertation prospectus with the Graduate Office no later than four months following the qualifying examination. 

Specific deadlines for students intending to graduate will be announced on the English graduate-student reflector and are also available from the Graduate School's Deadlines for Graduates . Most of the necessary paperwork for these deadlines can be found on the Graduate School's General Forms for Graduate Students .

Graduate Admissions

We seek applicants who will enhance our highly motivated, academically accomplished, and intellectually and culturally diverse student body. We normally receive about 100 applications annually for M.A. and Ph.D. programs.

Ph.D. Application Instructions

Submit the complete application and all supporting materials by December 1, 2023 . Please note that the system will close promptly at midnight, so you will be unable to edit your application past 11:59 pm on this date. The system is set to Maryland time (EST). If you are uncertain about what time that the system will close in your timezone, please look it up. We are unable to make exceptions for late applications based on timezone.

Admission to the Ph.D. is highly competitive. If you would like to be considered for the M.A. program if not selected for the Ph.D. program, please indicate that in your personal statement. We expect to enroll between 6-8 Ph.D. students for this year's cohort.

University of Maryland's Graduate Application Process

The University of Maryland’s Graduate School accepts applications through its application system . Before completing the application, applicants are asked to check the Admissions Requirements site for specific instructions.

As required by the Graduate School, all application materials are to be submitted electronically:

• Graduate Application
• Non-refundable application fee ($75) for each program
• Statement of Goals, Research Interests, and Experiences. The statement, which should be around 1000 words, should address relevant aspects of your educational experience, the focus of your academic interests, and reasons for applying to our program. If you are applying to the PhD program but would like to be considered for the MA if you are not selected for the PhD, please indicate that here.
• Unofficial transcripts of your entire college/university record (undergraduate and graduate), including records of any advanced work done at another institution. Electronic copies of these unofficial transcripts must be uploaded along with your on-line application. Official transcripts will be required after an applicant is admitted to the program.
• Three letters of recommendation . In your on-line application, please complete fully the information requested for your recommenders and ask them to submit their letters electronically. We do not accept letters through Interfolio.
•  A single sample of critical writing of approximately 12-20 pages double-spaced (not including works cited/bibliography). While we encourage you to submit your best writing sample, we prefer a writing sample in your declared field of interest. If you are submitting an excerpted selection, please include a brief description or introduction to the selection. The MLA citation format is preferred.
• Academic CV/Resume

The electronic submission of application materials helps expedite the review of an application. Completed applications are reviewed by an admissions committee in each graduate degree program. The recommendations of the committees are submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School, who will make the final admission decision. Students seeking to complete graduate work at the University of Maryland for degree purposes must be formally admitted to the Graduate School by the Dean.  To ensure the integrity of the application process, the University of Maryland authenticates submitted materials through TurnItIn for Admissions .

Information for International Graduate Students

The University of Maryland is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international graduate student community. The office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) is a valuable resource of information and assistance for prospective and current international students.  International applicants are encouraged to explore the services they offer, and contact them with related questions.

The University of Maryland Graduate School offers admission to international students based on academic information; it is not a guarantee of attendance.  Admitted international students will then receive instructions about obtaining the appropriate visa to study at the University of Maryland which will require submission of additional documents.  Please see the Graduate Admissions Process for International applicants for more information.

Questions related to the admissions process, prospective students may contact the Graduate School .

Prospective Student FAQ

Because many of our applicants share general questions about the application process, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to make applying a bit easier.

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PhD in English

Are you considering pursuing a PhD in English? Congratulations, you are embarking on a rewarding and challenging journey. However, with so many options, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Don't worry; this guide will give you all the information you need to decide and begin your PhD journey.

What is a PhD in English?

A PhD in English is an advanced academic degree that requires in-depth research, critical analysis, and the production of original scholarly work. It is designed for students who wish to specialise in English language, literature, linguistics, and related fields. The program typically takes three to five years, depending on the institution and the student's pace.

PhD in English – Complete Guide: Steps to Get Started

Getting started on a PhD in English can be a daunting task, but here are some steps to guide you:

Step 1: Research your options

Before committing to a program, it is crucial to research the different options available. Look for universities that offer PhD programs in English and read their program descriptions. Determine if their research interests align with yours and if their faculty members can guide you through the program.

Step 2: Check the eligibility criteria

Each university has its eligibility criteria. Make sure that you meet the required qualifications before applying. Typically, a master's degree in English or a related field is required for admission.

Step 3: Prepare your application

Once you have selected the universities you are interested in, the next step is to prepare your application. This typically includes transcripts, letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose , and a writing sample.

Step 4: Apply to your chosen programs

Once you have prepared your application, it is time to apply to your chosen programs. Make sure you meet the application deadlines and submit all the required documents.

Step 5: Wait for admission decisions

After submitting your application, you must wait for the admission decision. You may receive an offer of admission, a rejection, or a waitlist notification. If you receive an offer of admission, congratulations! You can begin preparing for your PhD journey.

Top University for PhD in English

Harvard university.

Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its English department is world-renowned. The program offers courses in literary history, criticism, theory, and creative writing, strongly emphasising interdisciplinary studies.

Stanford University

Stanford University's PhD in English program is highly competitive and selective, accepting only a few applicants yearly. The program focuses on the study of literature, with an emphasis on critical and theoretical approaches.

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley, offers a PhD in English program emphasising literature in English and American culture. The program strongly focuses on interdisciplinary studies, with courses in critical theory, cultural studies, and media studies.

Columbia University

Columbia University's PhD in English program is known for its focus on literary theory and interdisciplinary studies. The program offers courses in literary history, cultural studies, and the intersection of literature and politics.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford's PhD in English program is highly competitive and selective and focuses on the study of literature from the Middle Ages to the present day. The program emphasises interdisciplinary studies, with courses in literary theory, cultural studies, and history.

PhD in English – Complete Guide: Program Structure

Once you have been admitted to a PhD program in English, you will need to understand the program structure. The following are the typical components of a PhD program in English:

PhD students are required to complete a certain number of coursework hours. These courses are designed to provide students with a foundation in their field of study and to prepare them for their dissertation.

Comprehensive exams

Comprehensive exams, or qualifying exams, are typically taken after coursework. These exams assess students' knowledge of their field of study and preparedness to begin dissertations.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the most significant component of a PhD program in English. It is an original piece of research that contributes to English studies. The dissertation process typically involves selecting a research topic, conducting research, writing, and defending the dissertation before a committee.

Teaching experience

Many PhD programs in English require students to gain teaching experience. This experience can include teaching assistantships, leading discussions, or even designing and teaching your course.

PhD in English – Complete Guide: FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about a PhD in English:

1. What can I do with a PhD in English?

A PhD in English can lead to various career paths, including academia, publishing, writing, and editing.

2. How long does it take to complete a PhD in English?

A PhD in English typically takes three to five years, depending on the institution and the student's pace.

3. How do I choose a research topic for my dissertation?

Choosing a research topic for your dissertation can be challenging. Selecting a topic that aligns with your research interests and expertise is best. You can also consult with your faculty advisor or committee members for guidance.

4. What is the difference between a PhD in English and an MFA in Creative Writing?

A PhD in English typically focuses on literary studies, language, and linguistics, while an MFA in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing and producing original creative work.

5. Can I pursue a PhD in English online?

Yes, several universities offer online PhD programs in English. However, ensuring that the program is accredited and meets your academic and professional goals is essential.

6. How do I fund my PhD in English?

Several funding options are available for PhD students, including scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. Researching and applying for these opportunities is essential to minimise the financial burden of your studies.

A PhD in English is an excellent opportunity for students passionate about literature, language, and linguistics. However, it is a challenging and rewarding journey that requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This guide provides all the information you need to start your PhD in English journey.

Research your options, prepare your application, understand the program structure, and seek funding opportunities. With these steps, you can embark on a successful and fulfilling PhD journey in English.

Thank you for reading this PhD in English – Complete Guide. We wish you the best of luck in your academic journey.

Related Posts :

The Department of English at the University of Chicago has played an important role in the transformation of literary studies over the past half-century. Our faculty and students have participated centrally in the rethinking and reshaping of the discipline. Our intellectual work continues that effort, creating a rigorous and exciting intellectual environment for our students.

The PhD program prepares students for independent work as teachers, scholars, and critics by developing their abilities to pose and investigate problems in the advanced study of literatures in English. The program consists of four major components: coursework, teaching, fields exams, and the dissertation. Together, these elements introduce students to a wide variety of textual modes, critical methodologies, and historical/cultural questions; provide extensive practice in research, discussion, argument, and writing; and develop pedagogical skills.

The Joint PhD Program in Theater & Performance Studies (TAPS) allows students to complement their doctoral studies in English with academic and artistic work in Theater & Performance Studies.

TAPS graduate program website

Year One Coursework

All students in the first year of the program take six courses for letter grades, as well the PhD Colloquium, which is designed to introduce theoretical and practical questions posed by the student of literature.

Year Two Coursework

In the second year of the program, students who entered the program with an MA in English take at least two courses for letter grades. Students who entered the program without a previous MA take six courses. All students enroll in the Research Paper Proseminar (ENGL 52000) in the Spring of year 2, which counts as one of their required courses for the year.

Foreign Language Requirement:

By the end of their second year in the program, students must meet the Department's foreign language requirement.

Year Three Coursework

All third year students complete the department's pedagogy course, Teaching Undergraduate English. Students also begin to fulfill their fellowship teaching obligations during this year, typically by serving as a course assistant in the department. By the end of year three, students complete their oral fields examinations and form their dissertation committee.

In year four, students work to complete their dissertation proposal. Students should meet regularly with members of their dissertation committee, as well as enroll in the Dissertation Proposal Proseminar(typically taught over the Fall and Winter quarters), which is designed to help students compose a strong proposal. Students also gain additional teaching experience during this year, usually as course assistants in the department and potentially as interns or tutors with the writing program. In order to be admitted to candidacy, students must have completed all coursework, including substantial paper requirements, the PhD Colloquium, the Research Paper Proseminar, and Teaching Undergraduate English; have completed their foreign language requirement; have passed their oral fields exam; and have submitted an approved dissertation proposal to the Department.

In their fifth year, students continue to work on the dissertation, and to meet regularly with their committee members. (Students must hold annual advisory meetings with their full committee to discuss timelines and progress towards the dissertation defense.) Fifth year students should enroll in the Advanced Writing for Publication Proseminar(offered in Winter or Spring), which is designed to help students prepare an article for publication. In year 5, students also have the opportunity to teach a standalone undergraduate course, work for the writing program, and sometimes mentor English undergraduates writing BA theses.

Teaching Opportunities

Year Six and beyond

Students continue to hold annual advisory meetings with their committee as they progress toward completion of the dissertation. (Students must complete one approved chapter per year in order to make satisfactory progress. However, it is expected that most students will complete and receive committee approval for two or more chapters per year.) Beginning in year 6, students should take part in the Job Seekers Proseminar, which is designed to help prepare students to seek full-time professional employment, and to support them as they do so.

More information can be found in our Graduate Student Handbook .

What Are the Easiest Ph.D. Degrees to Get?

Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.

A doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest academic degree awarded in most fields of study. U.S. colleges and universities award more than 50,000 doctorates each year. Many people who pursue a Ph.D. have a passion for research, aspire to teach at the postsecondary level, or want to hold leadership roles in their field.

Earning any doctorate is a challenging journey that usually requires 3-6 years of study and includes a significant research component. However, some doctorates may be easier to obtain than others. The easiest Ph.D. depends on your strengths and interests. What feels formidable to some learners may come quickly to you.

Use the guide below to learn more about the easiest Ph.D. to get based on your background and expertise.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Easiest Ph.D.s Based on Educational Background

STEM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. While many students might consider these subjects academically demanding, having finely honed skills in your field and an appropriate master’s degree can set you up for success. Thousands of people earn doctorates in these areas each year.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With a STEM Background

• STEM Education: A Ph.D. in STEM education focuses on teaching strategies and learning assessments for math and science educators. Your curriculum may focus on a practice like problem-based learning or a specific STEM subject.
• Public Health: A multidisciplinary field, public health is concerned with promoting wellness in communities. Areas of focus may include epidemiology, biostatistics, or health management.

2. Humanities and Arts

In academia, the term “humanities” covers fields of study related to the human experience, including subjects like history, literature, and religion. The arts are fields related to creation and expression and can include music, writing, studio art, and dance. People who love to create, analyze, or research can thrive as doctoral students in these areas.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With a Humanities and Arts Background

• History: A Ph.D. in history provides an opportunity for you to investigate the past while sharpening your research, writing, and analytical skills. Common specializations include U.S. history, world history, and public history.
• English Literature: In these 3- to 5-year programs, you can research and analyze the words, narratives, and written pieces that help shape the way society works.

3. Business and Economics

Business focuses on maximizing profit, while economics is a social science concerned with the distribution of resources. If you have experience or education in business, you may find it easy to complete Ph.D. programs in these fields.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With a Business and Economics Background

• Business Administration: A Ph.D. in business administration emphasizes research in business management, systems thinking, and management theory. This degree can provide a pathway for seasoned business professionals to move into higher education.
• Public Administration: Unlike political science, which focuses on theories and systems of government, public administration emphasizes the practice of government. Programs in this field usually require skills in budgeting, finance, and analysis.
• Economics: Students with a background in microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics, and mathematics can flourish in an economics Ph.D. program. A background in data science or programming languages can also prove useful.

4. Social Sciences

Social sciences are the academic disciplines concerned with human behavior, problems, systems, and institutions. They include sociology, anthropology, psychology, and political science. Most advanced social science degrees require strong research and analytical skills. You may find these disciplines easy if you understand how to use data to solve problems.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With a Social Sciences Background

• Social Work: A Ph.D. in social work usually requires a master’s in social work, a social worker’s license, and experience as a clinical social worker. With the appropriate background, you can complete this degree in 3-4 years.
• Psychology: A Ph.D. in psychology can emphasize clinical practice or pure research. A Ph.D. in clinical psychology may demand more time because of the clinical hours required to complete the degree.
• Public Policy: Public policy degrees focus on how governments respond to issues. A Ph.D. in public policy usually includes coursework in leadership, policy analysis, and public management.

5. Health Sciences

Health sciences are concerned with a scientific focus on human well-being. Unlike a doctor of medicine program, which emphasizes wellness through medicine, health sciences Ph.D. programs explore public health, education, and administration. Depending on your academic and professional background, you can pursue a clinical or nonclinical health sciences doctorate.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With a Health Sciences Background

• Nursing: A Ph.D. in nursing prepares nurse-scholars to conduct scientific research relevant to the field of nursing. Research topics may include nursing theory, aging research, or social determinants of health.
• Health Administration: Healthcare administration deals with the business of managing a hospital or other healthcare institution. Ph.D. students may focus on how developments in healthcare affect economics, policies, or institutions.

6. Education and Teaching

As an academic discipline, education is concerned with how people teach and learn. The field draws from theories in sociology, psychology, history, and philosophy. A master’s degree in education coupled with at least three years of teaching experience can prepare you well for the challenges of a Ph.D. in this field.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With an Education and Teaching Background

• Curriculum and Instruction: Focused on enhancing the learning experience, a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction explores effective strategies for teaching and learning in formal settings. You can complete this program in 3-4 years after earning a master’s degree.
• Educational Leadership: A Ph.D. in educational leadership typically emphasizes either K-12 school leadership or higher education administration. This degree often requires experience and a master’s degree for admission.

7. Environmental Studies

Environmental studies experts use social and natural science tools to understand how natural ecosystems function and how they shape — and are shaped by — humans. Subfields include hydrology, ecology, and environmental engineering. A blend of the natural and social sciences can provide a strong background for a Ph.D. in environmental studies.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With an Environmental Studies Background

• Agriculture and Environmental Studies: Building on a master’s degree in agriculture, food science, or biology, a Ph.D. in agriculture and environmental studies focuses on meeting the challenges facing the global food system.
• Sustainability: Sustainability refers to the practices and tools needed to meet current standards of living with minimal compromise of future resources. A sustainability Ph.D. may include research in industrial ecology or sustainability science.
• Conservation Biology: Conservation biologists work to maintain global biodiversity. Students in this field can research specific species and habitats or study practices like fishing, hunting, and logging.

8. Communications and Media

A broadly interdisciplinary field, communications and media includes an array of disciplines concerned with how people communicate one-on-one, in groups, between institutions, and through the media.

Easiest Ph.D.s for Students With a Communications and Media Background

• Media Studies: A Ph.D. in media studies includes coursework and research in areas such as digital media, global media, identity, and criticism. Generally, students should already hold a master’s degree in the discipline.
• Journalism: Many Ph.D. programs in journalism explore the effects of journalism on society, including politics, healthcare, and economics. The field’s diversity can make this degree more accessible to people with a broad array of backgrounds.

What Makes a Ph.D. Easy?

No doctorate is easy to earn, but the Ph.D. programs outlined above may be easier to obtain because many of them are more open to students with diverse backgrounds and experience. They also tend to focus on solving large-scale problems in broad fields such as education or communications.

Most reputable Ph.D.s will require 3-6 years of study, an original research project called a dissertation, and 60-90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. Online doctorates and hybrid programs that combine in-person and distance learning can help you create a flexible schedule, but the work will still be rigorous and demanding.

Did You Know…

Why Accreditation Matters for All Ph.D. Programs

In the U.S., only degrees from accredited schools hold value in the marketplace. Accreditation demonstrates that your program has quality and credibility. Though unaccredited schools may offer low-cost degrees, they may also be running a scam. Check your school’s accreditation status by looking for information about accreditation on their website or by checking databases from the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education .

College accreditation is voluntary and can be institutional or industry-specific. Institutional accreditors such as the Higher Learning Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approve an entire college or university. Industry-specific bodies like ABET or AACSB International accredit individual programs or departments.

FAQ About Easy Ph.D. Programs

What is the difference between a ph.d and a professional doctorate.

A Ph.D. and a professional doctorate are both terminal degrees, but key differences separate the two. A Ph.D. features substantial research requirements, whereas a professional doctorate incorporates advanced practical training.

When it comes to easy doctoral degrees, Ph.D. programs typically run longer and require more intensive study than professional programs. The theoretical focus of a Ph.D. may also prove more challenging than a practical doctorate.

​​Can you get a Ph.D. without a dissertation?

Yes. While no-dissertation doctorates are more common for professional programs, some research-based Ph.D.s may also offer degrees that don’t require a dissertation. Some of these programs have a practical project, while others have a research component that doesn’t have the depth of a dissertation.

Are there any 1-year Ph.D. programs?

No. Though some professional doctorates may take 1-2 years, you generally cannot complete a Ph.D. program in that time. Many Ph.D.s take 3-6 years to complete.

What are the best Ph.D. programs for working professionals?

An asynchronous online program may be the easiest Ph.D. to get for working professionals. This delivery method allows you to complete your studies during the hours that suit you best. An asynchronous schedule can also accommodate nontraditional work schedules because of their added flexibility.

What is the most difficult Ph.D. program?

The most difficult Ph.D. program depends on how you learn best, but certain disciplines tend to be more difficult. Highly technical programs, such as mathematics and science disciplines, challenge many students. Very involved and intensive programs like engineering may also prove difficult.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed June 14, 2024.

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Online PhD in English Pursue the Pinnacle of English, Writing, Composition, and Literary Analysis

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Enhance Your Expertise in Literature, Research, and Writing with Liberty’s PhD in English Online Program

Do you want to deepen your understanding of literary theory, rhetoric, and advanced writing techniques? If so, Liberty University’s online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English may be the right degree for you! This program gives you the opportunity to engage with complex texts, develop original research, and contribute to scholarly discussions in the field of English studies.

Our curriculum provides a comprehensive exploration of textual analysis and the historical development of the English language. As you pursue your doctorate in English, you can hone your analytical skills and contribute your own research to the existing body of academic knowledge – potentially influencing both scholarly and public discourse.

This program may be an ideal option if you’re hoping to one day teach English, literature, or related subjects at the collegiate level. Not only can you enrich your own comprehension of important texts – you can prepare to guide the next generation of college students through studies in literary theory, writing, and more.

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By partnering with Liberty for your PhD in English, you can benefit from the flexibility of our 100% online courses and no set login times. Our goal is to provide you with the freedom to balance your studies with other commitments, like your job or family. At Liberty, you can engage with course materials and submit assignments from anywhere with an internet connection – allowing you to fit school into your schedule!

Additionally, our doctorate in English online is led by faculty who are leaders in academia, scholarship, and industry. Not only are our professors academically accomplished – they also bring a wealth of real-world experience to their teaching. With their support, you can gain deep insights into various literary periods and genres, enhancing your critical thinking and analytical abilities.

In addition to providing core English courses, Liberty University offers the unique opportunity to tailor your PhD in English through elective courses. This flexibility allows you to explore areas of personal interest or professional relevance, making your educational journey both diverse and comprehensive. From research and writing to assorted English classes, you can customize your degree with electives that align with your career goals and academic interests.

What Will You Study in Our Doctorate in English Online?

In this PhD program, you will engage with a variety of critical and theoretical frameworks through courses on research and literary theory. Building on these foundational studies, you can learn how to conduct advanced textual analysis – allowing you to analyze and interpret complex literary works with precision. Additionally, you can come to understand the historical context for your studies by exploring the origin and evolution of the English language.

Your coursework will also include an in-depth exploration of both British and American literature, where you will study significant works and authors from each tradition. Furthermore, the program emphasizes the Christian literary tradition, focusing on important Christian writers, key theological underpinnings, pivotal historical moments in Christian literary history, and influence on Western literature. This unique focus provides an additional dimension to your literary studies, giving you the chance to explore the interplay between faith and literature.

A unique component of our PhD in English is the opportunity to tailor your education through elective courses. This flexibility can help enable you to pursue specialized interests and complement your core studies with topics that align with your academic and career goals. The culmination of your studies will be the completion of a dissertation, where you will conduct original research and work to contribute new knowledge to the field of English literature. This rigorous scholarly project can help showcase your expertise and form a foundation for your future academic or professional pursuits.

Potential Career Opportunities

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Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• *Accepted degrees: English, Composition, American Literature, British Literature, World Literature, Rhetoric, Linguistics, Journalism, Professional Writing
• Writing sample (minimum of 6 pages – can be from previous academic coursework)
• Departmental approval
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

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Home  >  News & Articles  >  PhD in English: Courses, Fees, Syllabus, Eligibility, Top Colleges, Scope & Salary 2023

Abhishek Dogra

Updated on 18th August, 2023 , 10 min read

PhD in English: Courses, Fees, Syllabus, Eligibility, Top Colleges, Scope & Salary 2023

A PhD in English is a three to six-year doctorate program that focuses on technical writing in prose, poetry, theater, and fiction as well as translations, international literature, and ancient literature. There are several job prospects for English PhD candidates in India and overseas in the humanities, social sciences, and arts. Graduates can begin their careers as a lecturer, professors, school teachers, private tutors, education consultants, vice principals, program managers, English teachers, language trainers, proofreaders, or customer support associates, among other positions.

PhD in English students must have earned their Masters's degrees in order to enroll in a PhD English course. Before applying for admission to a PhD in English, an M.A. in English or an M.Phil. is required. They should receive at least 50% of the possible points in their exams. Additionally, several colleges and universities accept job applications for English research positions. These roles are typically referred to as research fellows. This may serve as yet another entry point for a PhD English course. There are PhD entry exams at some universities.

PhD in English: Course Highlights

Why Pursue PhD in English?   

A PhD in English literature is a fantastic way to advance your abilities in critical thinking, cooperation, communication, independent research, and many other areas and discover more about your areas of interest, and get the skills you need to advance particular study topics significantly. 

Who should pursue PhD in English?

It's important to note that pursuing a PhD in English is a significant commitment, often requiring several years of research, academic writing, and critical analysis. Prospective PhD candidates should be passionate about their chosen area of study, dedicated to research, and have a strong desire to contribute to the academic and intellectual discourse within the field of English language and literature.

PhD in English: Duration

PhD in English is a three-year program. It deals to impart students with the required theoretical background and research skills where students research and comprehension of works published in the English language in various historical periods, from prehistoric times to the post-modern era.

PhD in English: Fees

Some of the top Colleges/Universities offering Ph.D , location, along with their fees are given below: 

PhD in English: Eligibility

The minimum eligibility for PhD English Literature is a master's degree in the English language with a minimum of 55% aggregate in the discipline passed from a recognized university.

PhD in English Admission Process

The completion of a Masters-level degree is the primary qualification for admission to PhD English programs. An M.A. in the arts or an M.Phil. Students who are taking final exams may also apply to take the entrance test. Such students should be ready for the State Level Eligibility Tests (SLETs), the CSIR-NET, or the GATE entrance exams.

It's critical to keep in mind that passing results on these tests are a criterion for admission. Additionally, keep in mind that SLET results are only important for the state. However, GATE and CSIR-NET exam results are accepted at all Indian universities. Only a few Indian universities accept GATE scores, but all Indian institutes accept CSIR-NET scores.

PhD in English Entrance Examinations

There are several routes for a deserving student to gain admission to a PhD in English. In addition to the admission tests mentioned above, the relevant universities also hold university-level exams. Merit-based admissions are used by several universities.

PhD English: Important dates of Entrance Exams

Written below are the important dates for PhD in English entrance exam :

PhD in English: Syllabus

Deep reflection and social awareness are key components of a PhD in English course. The following domains make up the learning experiences for PhD students, though the names of the subjects may vary from university to university.

A detailed syllabus for the PhD The English course is provided in the table below. The presentation is thorough in the syllabus. Depending on the situation, individual universities may add additional sections.

PhD in English: Colleges in India

PhD in English: Colleges in Delhi

Phd in english: college comparison.

PhD in English at Loyal College vs PhD in English at Chandigarh University

PhD in English: Salary

A PhD holder's pay will vary depending on their subject and job. PhD in English jobs in India are available in both the public and private sectors.  The typical pay for new hires is between INR 3.5 and 5 LPA. Depending on your qualifications and expertise, it might rise to INR 6–12 LPA. The work scope will expand with experience and expertise. Additionally, government universities will pay professors INR 6 LPA in salaries.

Given below are the PhD in English jobs along with their respective salaries:

PhD in English: Job 

After earning a PhD in English, jobs in the creative and educating industries are available. Schools and colleges are the first significant locations where PhD in English-qualified scholars may apply for jobs because they are where English is taught the most. They have the option of beginning as Teacher Assistants and moving up to Department Head. Critics may work in the creative field if they have a PhD in cinematography or broadcast media certification. Like articles moderators, and critics. Publisher houses that check and edit books before they are eventually published may also have critics.

The types of work profiles that research scholars completing Ph.Ds in English you obtain are listed below. At this point, it's crucial to keep in mind that a PhD graduate may begin at entry-level or even nominal levels. The prospect doesn't become qualified for higher positions until after a few years of work experience. However, compared to graduates and postgraduates with master's degrees, this frequently happens more quickly.

Listed below is a table that shows a few of the job profiles after completion of the PhD in English.

PhD in English: Future Scope

PhD English has very promising potential. Despite having a majority of Hindi speakers, English is used in nearly every industry. The most popular career options in India right now are working as a critic, penning publications, and reviewing books and movies.

1. PhD in Religious Studies

In this students probably read a few religious texts as an English major, and regardless of your affiliation (if any), you comprehend their significance. Actually, you don't have to be religious to pursue a PhD in religious studies. Studying religion entails studying ethics, convictions, societies, and individuals.

2. PhD in Linguistics

Language studies, also known as linguistics, cover all facets of language as well as the techniques used to study and model them. When reading a line of dialogue in literary fiction, did you notice how clear the dialect was

3.  PhD in History

Record, of course, is the study of the past. At the same, background helps us understand change and how the community we now live in came to be.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again".– Maya Angelou.

A component of being a student of history is gaining the ability to sort through varied, usually conflicting interpretations. Your bachelor's degree in English will set you up for success.

4.  PhD in Media Studies

The works of writers give us direct access to what it means to be human in all its complexity and mystery, just like all other forms of art do. If you discovered that your favorite aspect of majoring in English was the art and literature you encountered, you might want to think about pursuing a PhD in something like Media Studies.

5.  PhD in Political Science

Political science and English may at first seem like odd bedfellows. But during your undergraduate studies, you already developed a solid foundation in critical reading and thinking, approached literary analysis through a variety of lenses, and identified the influences of culture, politics, and social issues scattered throughout a work.

Many great works contain references to political, economic, and their interactions. Understanding the historical and philosophical roots of political values is possible through the study of political science.

6. PhD in English

Predictably, a significant in English greatly aids in your preparation for an English Ph.D

A PhD in English provides students with the in-depth understanding of literary criticism they need to meet faculties around the world, from the earliest poetic developments in Old English to the most recent creative work currently being published. You can research literature from the Middle Ages, African American literature, or literature written during the American Revolution, depending on your area of expertise.

Your English bachelor's degree provided you with a large overview, but your PhD will enable you to focus on one area of expertise and develop it further.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a doctorate in english entail.

After earning a PhD in English, there are numerous career options. Writing, training, authorship, and public relations officers can all pursue careers that allow them to interact with people.

What is the average salary for a PhD in English?

The average salary for a Ph. D in an English career in India for the doctorates is around INR 7LPA.

What is the eligibility for PhD in English from IGNOU?

Students must have finished their Master's Degree from a University recognized by UGC.

How useful is a PhD in English?

A PhD in English Literature offers a great opportunity to gain valuable skills in critical analysis, communication, independent research, collaboration, and many more.

Is a Doctorate entrance exam required?

Entrance exams are the main factor in determining PhD admittance in 2023, but some universities also accept merit-based applications.

Can someone do PhD without a Master's?

The chances of being accepted into a PhD program are slim to none if candidate don't have the appropriate educational background in the field.

What is the duration of PhD in english course?

The duration of PhD course is between 3 to 5 years.

Does IGNOU offer PhD in English?

Yes, IGNOU offers PhD in English.

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Doctor of Philosophy - English

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The PhD program is a highly specialized program designed to develop a capacity for research, original thought, and writing and to equip students for careers in the teaching of English at the college or university level and in writing, editing, and publishing. The doctoral program has two tracks.

The traditional PhD focuses on literary study, although a concentration of six credits may be earned in composition studies. Each student chooses three areas in which to specialize: (1) a chronological period, (2) a literary genre, and (3) either an additional chronological period, a major author, or a special topic approved by the student’s advisory committee. Coursework is devoted to developing a high degree of professional expertise in these three areas of specialization. Such knowledge is tested in a qualifying examination and is also the basis upon which the student writes a doctoral dissertation.

Offered in partnership with the Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute, the PhD with Creative Dissertation enters on the study of English and American literature and includes coursework in English and creative writing, a qualifying examination (based on three areas of specialization (as described above), and a creative dissertation, typically a collection of poems, literary nonfiction, or short stories; a novel; or a cross-genre manuscript.

Graduate Assistantships

All program applicants are eligible to apply for Graduate Assistantship (GA) funding. The current GA stipend for PhD students in English is $21,000. Details of the duties and substantial benefits a Graduate Assistantship includes and how to apply can be found on the GA page on the Graduate College website . The application deadline for Graduate Assistantships is the same as for the program itself: January 15. GA applications must be submitted through the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Still have questions about the English Department’s Ph.D. program. Please contact the English Department Graduate Program Office ( Beverly Rogers Literature and Law Building – RLL 255 ) at [email protected] or 702-895-4366 ; or the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. John Hay .

Available Options

Post-master’s literature track, post-bachelor’s literature track, creative dissertation track.

The Department of English in partnership with the Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute and the Black Mountain Institute Ph.D. Fellows program offers a three-year course of studies leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a Creative Dissertation. Studies for the Ph.D. center around English and American Literature, also with possibilities for directed reading in Comparative Literature, and are designed to prepare students for careers in professional writing and the teaching of English and Creative Writing at the university or college level, as well as for careers in editing and publishing. The program includes course work in English and Creative Writing, a Qualifying Examination, and a Creative Dissertation, typically an original collection of short stories, a novel, a collection of literary nonfiction essays or book- length work of literary nonfiction, or a collection of poems.

For more information about the Creative Writing program, visit the program page .

Funding: all admitted Ph.D. with Creative Dissertation students are offered the base $21,000 Ph.D. GA plus a $9,000 Black Mountain Institute Fellowship, for a total package of $30,000 per year for three years. Duties for this funding require 20 hours per week, usually fulfilled by a combination of teaching and editorial work on English Department or Black Mountain Institute publications.

Please note: Two new Ph.D. BMI Fellows are admitted each year, in alternating genres. Our current admissions schedule is to admit students for entering classes as follows: Literary Nonfiction – 2024, 2025; Fiction – 2025, 2026; Poetry – 2024, 2026.

Applications for a genre not in the admissions rotation will be returned.

English Literature Track

Accreditation.

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations .

• Students will develop a capability for professional research, critical thinking, and publishable writing.
• Students will develop expertise in a chronological period, a literary genre, and an additional period, major author, or special topic.
• Students will demonstrate a reading knowledge of one foreign or computer language.
• Students will write a book-length, publishable work of fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry.
• Students will develop literary and theoretical knowledge at the Ph.D. level, and writing skills that prepare them for university, college, and community college teaching careers.
• Students will develop professional writing skills that prepare them for a career in writing professionally by selling works to magazines, book publishers, and websites.
• Career Possibilities 87.48 KB

Creative Writing Ph.D.s can go on to careers in:

A person with a Ph.D. in English with Creative Dissertation is prepared for a career in academia, and can pursue teaching at universities, colleges, or community colleges.

Writing/Editing/Publishing

The UNLV and Black Mountain Ph.D. Fellows are offered opportunities to gain valuable professional experience by working on two literary magazines: Witness and Interim. This experience prepares them to pursue careers in magazine editing, with publishing houses, with online publishers, or in copy editing and copy writing.

Public Relations, Media, Communications and Advertising

P-R and advertising agencies, as well as media companies of all kinds, need employees with strong writing and communications skills.

Business, Management, and Beyond

In the broadest possible sense, Ph.D. in English with Creative Dissertation graduates can do anything. Graduates can go on to careers in management, in nonprofit organizations, in human resources, sales, politics, civil service, and institutional analysis―the possibilities are endless.

Documents/Downloads

Plans of study.

• ENG 703 113.33 KB
• ENG 722 130.96 KB
• ENG 743 107.89 KB

Degree Worksheets

Graduate handbooks.

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Additional Downloads

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Graduate Coordinator

John hay, ph.d..

Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies

Department of English

The Department of English provides programs that transform students into engaged and informed citizens who enrich the vitality of their local and global communities. Our majors explore literature as an artistic medium from theoretical and historical perspectives. In the process, students hone their analytical and writing skills.

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English - doctorate (phd).

DEGREE OVERVIEW

The PhD in English prepares students at the most advanced stage for the interpretation and composition of texts. The PhD program emphasizes rigorous critical study in the fields of rhetoric, composition, critical theory, cultural studies, literary studies, pedagogy, and technical writing.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The PhD program enhances students’ awareness of their literary and cultural environment and prepares them for a career in higher education as a rigorous scholar and inspirational teacher. PhD students benefit from:

• award-winning faculty recognized for excellence in teaching and research
• low faculty-to-student ratio and small class sizes
• an individualized program of study
• competitive funding for eligible students
• opportunities to teach first-year writing and sophomore literature courses or to work in the Writing Centerflexible scheduling (full time, part time, afternoon, evening)
• Admissions requirements
• Degree curriculum (scroll down to course list)
• Degree information in the University Catalog

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• Teaching at research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges
• Editing and publishing
• Technical writing
• Digital media

DEGREE OPTIONS

PhD in English

The PhD requires 30 semester hours of coursework beyond the MA, followed by a minimum of nine hours of dissertation work. After completing their coursework, PhD students must pass a written comprehensive examination. The degree culminates with a defense of the dissertation.

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• Graduate School

The Easiest PhD Programs to Get into

Should you pursue a masters or a PhD , it will still take several years to complete your degree, even if you are accepted to one of the easiest PhD programs to get into. You could be spending up to seven or eight years of your life pursuing a PhD, only to end up scratching your head thinking about how to transition from academia to industry or how to get a job after grad school . However, if you’re convinced you have the passion, patience, time, and resources to pursue a PhD and see it as a way to advance your career or professional ambitions, then you should read this article to find out more about how to find a postdoc , the easiest PhD programs to get into and how to apply.

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Easiest phd programs to get into, 1. adams state university – doctor of philosophy (phd) in counselor education and supervision (ce&s).

This is an online program offered by Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Students must complete 6 credit hours per semester, for up to 3 to 4 years. The entirety of the course is done online, but students are also required to participate in a one-week summer residency every year of their program at the Adams State University campus. This program is easy to get into because you do not need to submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores to be considered.

You do need to submit a letter of intent, so you would be better off reading about how to write an effective statement of intent before submitting your application. The length of the letter should be between 3–4 pages and address a series of questions like:

• “Why are you pursuing a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University?”
• “What personal and professional dispositions are essential for future counselor educators and supervisors?”
•  “Describe your professional plans with a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, post-graduation.”

You will also be asked to submit reference letters and a CV; all graduate students should know how to write a CV for grad school , as it is a common requirement for entry into graduate programs. Applicants with a master’s degree in counseling who also hold state certification to work as a counselor in their home state are given preference.

Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree from an accredited university or college
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (must be maintained throughout the four years)
• Minimum two years of professional experience as a counselor post-grad

UTEP offers several doctorate programs in areas such as biosciences, civil engineering, and business administration, but those programs have several high-level admissions requirements like submitting GRE scores and mastery of complicated subjects like statistics and mathematics. However, the PhD in English Rhetoric and Composition only requires either:

• A bachelor’s degree in English or
• A master’s degree in English

Students who apply with only a bachelor’s degree must first complete the Master of English Rhetoric and Composition at UTEP. They need to complete the six-credit course requirement and present a master’s thesis. After completing their master’s, they continue to complete the PhD program requirements.

Successful students are given up to eight years to complete the degree, but they may receive their PhD sooner as long as they satisfy the 45–51 credit hours required to obtain the degree. What makes this degree attractive is not only the academic requirements, but the many career opportunities afforded graduates who can apply their degree to fields as diverse as education, business, and government.

• Official transcripts of all previous work
• Three letters of recommendation either from previous instructors or professional references 
• A description of their educational goals
• A description of their approach to writing and teaching
• Two writing samples: a research paper and a personal writing sample

3. Prescott College – PhD in Sustainability Education

Prescott College is a private university in Prescott, Arizona, that has a near 99% acceptance rate for all programs, including the newly created PhD program in Sustainability Education. This near perfect acceptance rate stands in contrast to much lower medical school acceptance rates , which are often in the single digits. This PhD program is interdisciplinary and blends disciplines like pedagogy, environmental science, and social justice studies.

The other aspects of the program that make it attractive are the fact that there are few admissions requirements. Students do not have to submit any GRE or GMAT scores. Neither do they have to pay any application fees. Successful applicants can choose to take classes part-time, if they have other responsibilities, but the entire class format is online, which is another accommodation to mature or professional students.

Similar graduate sustainability education programs in the US and Canada last for up to 4 years, but Prescott College does not mention how long their program lasts. The small class size and experienced faculty also make this PhD program an option for someone who wants to pursue research in environmental sustainability, with career options ranging from becoming faculty or working as a sustainability officer for businesses and government.

Contact the program director directly to find out more about admission requirements and other information.

4. University of Michigan/Rackham Graduate School – PhD in Anthropology

The Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan offers a 7-year PhD in Anthropology that has relaxed admission requirements, like not requiring students to take or submit GRE scores or any other standardized graduate school exams. But the program has other requirements, such as the documentation listed below.

Prospective students do not need a master’s degree to apply, but they must have at least a bachelor’s degree. However, students can complete a master’s while on the PhD track. The PhD program has an acceptance rate of 4.6%, so it is one of the easier PhD programs to get into, given that prospective students do not have to take any standardized tests or have a graduate degree.

• Application form
• Application fee
• Admissions Conduct Code
• Statement of purpose (1000–1500 words)
• Personal statement (500 words maximum)
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Official transcripts 
• Writing sample (optional, 30-page maximum)

5. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville – PhD in Sociology

UTK offers several PhD level programs, but the PhD in sociology is one of the easiest PhD programs to get into since applicants do not need to take the GRE. All successful students must choose from one of the four core concepts to complete the sociology degree, which are:

• Criminology
• Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
• Environmental Sociology
• Political Economy and Globalization

Students explore each aspect of their chosen subject, which all have their unique credit and non-credit requirements to complete the degree. Along with this first area of study, students must choose a second area of study revolving around social theory or statistics. All students must complete a minimum of 27 credits or 9 courses within each core concept and take another 12 elective credits or 4 courses in one of the other four concentrations, a foreign language course, a graduate certificate in statistics, or a science minor.

If accepted, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout the duration of the program and meet academic benchmarks established by them and the sociology department. The school does not state the length of the program, but all students must pass comprehensive exams in one of the four main concepts, write a dissertation, and present and defend it orally to complete the degree requirements.

• Master’s or JD degree in sociology or a related field
• Overall undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample
• Personal statement

6. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – PhD in Urban Education : Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Leadership (ACHEL)

This PhD program gives students seven years to complete all the degree requirements but does not require that they take the GRE or submit GRE scores no older than five years for admission. Some of the admissions requirements are document-based, meaning students must submit several types of writing to qualify.

All applicants must have at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, which is much lower than the typical 3.0 that most PhD programs require, to be considered. They must also have an undergraduate or master’s degree. The written requirements include submitting one of the following, with a maximum word count of 1500 words:

• Master’s thesis
• Undergraduate senior thesis
• Technical report
• Publication
• Written description of a project
• Action research project
• Writing sample answering the question, “How would you conceptualize and analyze issues in urban education?”

Students must also submit a Reasons Statement, in which you are encouraged to talk about the entirety of your background, such as why you are pursuing a PhD, your interests and background in the field, skills and training, and academic honors or awards.

Aside from the above written samples, prospective students must also submit a graduate CV and three letters of recommendation. There are no specific requirements for who must write the letters, but the letter writers are encouraged to write about the candidate’s past experiences and how they connect to the school’s PhD program.

• Undergraduate or master’s degree
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75
• 1500-word writing sample
• Reasons Statement
• 3 letters of recommendation

There are as many persuasive reasons to pursue a PhD as there are not to pursue one. If you want to know how to find a PhD topic or program, this article has outlined a few examples of some of the “easiest” PhD programs to get into. But completing a PhD is another matter. There are no “easy” PhD programs to complete since they all take years of hard work and dedication. Ultimately, the easiest program for you will be one you are completely immersed in and thoroughly enjoy; focusing on why the program is a great fit is a winning strategy when preparing your application materials.

One reality you have to confront is that the attrition rate for most PhDs is somewhere between 36–51% across a variety of fields and disciplines ranging from the arts and humanities to engineering and life sciences. The other thing you should know – and something all PhD admission consultants should tell you – is that pursuing a PhD is an all-encompassing commitment that will take over your life. As discussed above, program lengths are measured in years (minimum of five) and there are few guarantees that, if you do finish, you will be able to reap the rewards, at least in the short term.

Another growing demographic comprises people who complete all the requirements to obtain a PhD (coursework, credits) but fail on the most crucial element: writing and defending a dissertation. These students are known as “all but dissertation” and are forced to explain to prospective employers why they failed.

As if actually completing the degree wasn’t hard enough. the labor market is not always welcoming to PhDs either. High-level positions in government and academia often filled by PhDs are not plentiful, and other industries will require skill sets that PhD graduates typically do not have, such as managerial or organizational knowhow.

Whether you benefit from obtaining a PhD in the end depends on many factors, like your field and whether you’re an expert in an in-demand profession (computer science, bioengineering, engineering). While many graduate students enter doctorate programs to secure financial stability, other students are interested purely in acquiring knowledge and researching a topic or subject that they are passionate about. For these students, getting a PhD and all the attendant aspects (learning, investigating, writing) have an inherent value, so the less-than-stellar employment prospects or salary gains are not a priority. That’s not to suggest they are not mindful of the real-world costs of a getting a doctorate; rather, they are willing to put in the effort to fund their studies by applying for grants, working as part-time faculty or securing public or private loans, and accepting the bare-bones lifestyle of many graduate students.

Reasons to Get a PhD

More Employment Opportunities

PhDs do make more money than other degree types, like masters, but not by a lot. Some studies say PhDs earn up to $13,000 more than lower degree-holders, but it is more complicated than that. Those earnings only start to show after decades. Master’s graduates have a head-start on PhDs and enter the workforce much earlier than PhD students, so they start saving and earning more.

PhDs may have more employment opportunities open to them, in either academia or the private sector, but starting salaries for PhDs top out at $50,000. Moreover, by the time PhD graduates start looking for jobs, master’s graduates have already ascended to senior or executive positions earning six figures and more. Positions that offer starting six-figure salaries also do not often require candidates to have PhDs, giving master’s graduates yet another advantage.

Life-Long Research and Learning Opportunities

Money isn’t everything. Many PhD students are not motivated by financial gain or opportunity but are simply passionate about exploring and investigating a particular field for a lifetime. Funding this research is always a concern, but one component of becoming a PhD is learning how to write grant applications or fundraise in other ways that are essential to keeping research projects going.

Learning Valuable Skills

Skills like grant writing, fundraising, and networking are good to have if you want to know how to find a job in academia , and there are private sector companies that value them as well, but PhDs should also try to incorporate other skill sets into their toolkit. If they are interested, they can pursue dual-degree programs that pair a PhD with another degree type like an MBA or a medical degree, such as an MD-PhD program . They can also seek out professional development courses that prepare them for entering the workforce once they complete their degree, if they decide to go into the private sector.

Becoming an Expert

Some of the allure of a PhD is the authority it gives in a specific topic or subject, which means you are someone who is regularly sought out by various sectors and industries for expert advice. Being the foremost expert in a particular field can unlock many opportunities, but your specialty determines how much you can earn or what those opportunities are.

You can find that your expertise suddenly falls out of favor, like all the hundreds of Soviet physicists who had nothing to do once the USSR defunded the space program. But the opposite can also happen. Think of all the previously anonymous MDs and PhDs who became household names during the COVID-19 pandemic because they were experts in virology, immunology, or epidemiology.

The easiest PhD programs to get into are not the easiest ones to complete. Ultimately, if you are thinking about entering a PhD program, you need to weigh the benefits (potentially higher earnings, more employment opportunities, expert-level education) of pursuing the degree and the disadvantages (significant investment of time and money, uncertain job market, lost earnings). Go into the project with eyes open and a topic you want to study for many years, and your PhD experience will be much easier.

There is no easy answer. If you are someone who wants to pursue a particular line of investigation that requires years of observation and experimentation, then getting a PhD may seem like a natural path. But if you are more concerned about raising your earning potential or seeking more senior positions, in general, a master’s degree checks all those boxes without having to invest so much time and money. 

Any PhD program that does not require applicants to submit standardized test scores (GRE or GMAT) or have a master’s degree is generally easier to get into than other programs, but these programs have their own requirements, which could involve anything from writing personal statements and letters of intent to one-on-one interviews. 

All PhD programs are different, and they can variously require applicants to have a master’s degree, GRE or GMT scores above 300, and demonstrated aptitude in various fields, especially if you are pursuing a PhD in the sciences or engineering. There are also written requirements like submitting letter of intent, research resume , and a record of other notable academic or non-academic achievements. 

The answer is yes and no. Over many years, your education and training will pay off as you slowly start to pull away from other degree types in terms of salary. But it will take many years. During this time, other degree holders can attain higher positions and salaries that are comparable to yours, thereby negating any future gains. 

The duration of every PhD program is different, but the minimum length of most PhD programs is six years. Some schools have degree time limits – six or seven years, in some cases – meaning you must complete the program and present your dissertation by the time limit or be ejected. Master’s degrees, in comparison, usually take only about two years to complete. 

If you are wondering whether you need a master’s or PhD to apply to medical school s, the answer is no. However, if you are applying as a non-traditional medical school applicant who has a master’s or doctorate in another field, it can help improve your medical school application. 

The assumption is that PhD graduates generally do very well in the labor market. They do have low unemployment rates when compared to other degree holders. But one obstacle PhD graduates run into is having “surplus schooling”; in other words, they are over-qualified for a majority of positions. Only 2% of positions in the labor market require a PhD, which is one thing to remember if you are thinking about pursuing a doctorate. 

The cost of a five-year degree ranges between $150,000 and $200,000, but there are some PhD programs that provide full funding as well as a stipend. PhD students also work as teaching assistants for up to two years and can apply for grants or secure other funding sources like federal aid loans. 

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• Best Online Doctoral Programs

Best Online Doctoral Programs Of 2024

Updated: Apr 23, 2024, 1:42pm

The best online doctoral programs offer flexibility and convenience that can make it easier for you to pursue an advanced degree, often while working full time.

Earning a doctorate can help you advance to the highest roles in your field and increase your salary potential. It’s also a chance for you to gain an advanced understanding of impactful issues and develop the skills to generate new ideas, solve problems and create meaningful change.

Below, learn about the best online doctoral programs in a variety of fields, including social work, psychology, education and nursing.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• Over 3,868 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online doctoral degree programs in the U.S. using metrics in the categories of student experience, credibility, student outcomes and affordability. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

We scored schools based on the following data points:

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• Portion of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition and fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Student loan default rate

We chose the best schools to display in 10 categories of doctoral degrees.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

• Best Online Colleges With A 100% Acceptance Rate
• Best HBCUs With Online Degrees
• Best Online Colleges
• Best Online Master's Programs
• What Are The Best Online Public Universities

Best Online Doctoral Program Options

Should you enroll in an online ph.d. program or doctorate, accreditation for online doctoral degrees, how to find the right online doctorate for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online ph.d. programs and doctorates.

• Best online Psy.D.: Rivier University
• Best online Doctor of Nursing Practice: University of Central Florida
• Best online Doctor of Business Administration: Walsh College
• Best online doctorate in physical therapy: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Best online doctorate in education: Johns Hopkins University
• Best online Ph.D. in organizational leadership: Indiana Wesleyan University
• Best online Ph.D. in counseling: Concordia University-Irvine
• Best online Doctor of Social Work: University of Southern California
• Best online Ph.D. in public administration: West Chester University of Pennsylvania
• Best online doctorate in educational leadership: Fairfield University

Best Online Psy.D.

Rivier university.

Program Tuition Rate

$1,275/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

Located in Nashua, New Hampshire, Rivier University offers a hybrid Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) with a limited number of online classes. The American Psychology Association-accredited program focuses on school psychology and counseling and prepares you to work as a psychologist in various environments. You’ll learn clinical diagnosis, assessment, prevention and intervention skills.

Students must attend full time and can work no more than 20 hours per week. It takes a minimum of five years to graduate.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on a set schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $100
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60-130 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Fundamentals of research, group counseling
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, includes a 2,000-hour internship and at least six practicum experiences

Best Doctor of Nursing Practice

University of central florida.

$372/credit (in-state)

At University of Central Florida (UCF), practicing nurses can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The advanced track program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and prepares nurses for clinical leadership roles in the field.

Coursework explores clinical management, communication skills and epidemiology principles. You’ll develop research and practice skills, learn to improve healthcare systems, develop health policy and analyze data to improve individual and population health.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $30
• Degree Credit Requirements: 42 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare systems and policy, nursing environment management
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, includes clinical hours (but all coursework is available online)

Best Doctor of Business Administration

Walsh college.

$1,038/credit

You can earn an online Doctor of Business Administration from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. The part-time, online program includes asynchronous coursework and real-time Zoom classes, as well as optional opportunities to interact on campus. You can develop advanced business knowledge and skills to become a business leader or consultant.

In addition to coursework, you must pass a preliminary exam and complete a 15-credit dissertation process. The program requires students to graduate within seven years.

• Application Fee: $50
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Foundations for business success, qualitative and exploratory research methods
• In-Person Requirements: No

Best Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Texas tech university health sciences center.

$265/credit (in-state)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center designed its hybrid Doctor of Science in physical therapy to help practicing physical therapists advance their careers. The post-professional 36-credit program takes four to five years to complete part time.

The flexible format makes it possible for students to keep working while attending school. Learners attend weekend lectures and labs at the Lubbock, Texas, campus. During the week, they supplement their in-person instruction with online assignments.

• Application Fee: $75
• Degree Credit Requirements: 36 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Medical screening for rehabilitation sciences, motor control in orthopedics
• Concentrations Available: Research track, teaching track
• In-Person Requirements: Yes

Best Online Doctorate in Education

Johns hopkins university.

$2,100/credit

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland offers an online Ed.D. The part-time degree takes four years to complete and explores topics like the social determinants of education, entrepreneurship and technology.

You can customize the degree by choosing electives that align with your professional interests and by selecting one or more “areas of interest,” such as urban leadership or digital age learning and educational technology. Applicants need a master’s degree with at least 36 graduate credits to qualify for the program.

• Application Fee: $80
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Approaches to urban education, partnerships and community organizing
• Concentrations Available: Creativity, advanced learning, and twice exceptionality; digital age learning and educational technology; entrepreneurial leadership in education; mind, brain, and teaching; urban leadership

Best Online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

Indiana wesleyan university.

$890/credit

Located in Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University offers an online Ph.D. in organizational leadership that can prepare you to become an effective leader in as few as four years. The program focuses on inclusion, multiculturalism and international perspectives and develops research, presentation and executive skills.

You must attend an in-person residency during the July session, but the rest of the program takes place online and offers flexibility for working professionals. The school’s tuition guarantee locks in your tuition rate when you start the program.

• Application Fee: Free
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Advanced leadership theory, statistical research design
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, includes an in-person residency

Best Online Ph.D. in Counseling

Concordia university – irvine.

$795/credit

Concordia University – Irvine in Irvine, California, is a Christian institution that offers a “biblically informed” online Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from its Townsend Institute. Designed for licensed mental health professionals, the degree develops advanced skills and prepares you for leadership roles in counseling, teaching and advocacy.

The accelerated program takes three to four years to complete. It requires two in-person residencies and a total of 700 hours of internship and practicum field experiences. In addition to coursework, you must complete a culminating 12-credit dissertation that includes original counseling research and a successful oral defense.

• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Advanced counseling and career theories, advanced multicultural issues in counselor education and supervision
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, requires two in-person residencies, a practicum and an internship

Best Online Doctor of Social Work

University of southern california.

$2,137/credit

University of Southern California ‘s online Doctor of Social Work from the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work emphasizes the importance of scholarship and practice in the field. Created for experienced social work professionals, the program can help you become a leader working toward social change and innovation.

The program offers a seven-semester accelerated track and a standard nine-semester option. In a capstone experience, learners research and create a prototype that addresses a current problem in social work.

• Application Fee: $90
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Leading public discourse, financial management for social change

Best Online Ph.D. in Public Administration

West chester university of pennsylvania.

$645/credit (in-state)

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ’s online Doctor of Public Administration can prepare you for high-level roles in public affairs and administration. The program is offered by the College of Business and Public Management, accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and the Department of Public Policy and Administration, accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.

The curriculum explores strategic management, policy advocacy and decision-making in the public sector. The dissertation allows you to complete an applied research project. You can take electives and choose a concentration from multiple departments, including psychology, graduate social work and criminal justice.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 45 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Strategic public sector management and governance, research design for program and policy evaluation
• Concentrations Available: Options from multiple departments

Best Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Fairfield university.

$1,120/credit

At Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, you can earn an online, low-residency Doctor of Education in educational leadership. The program offers two tracks: teacher leader for certified working educators or higher education administration for higher education professionals.

Students enroll in the cohort-style program in the fall and graduate in three years by taking six credits per semester. Learners can build community during two one-week summer residencies. Applicants need a master’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• Application Fee: $65
• Degree Credit Requirements: 57
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Action research for educational change, framing and critical analysis of problems of practice
• Concentrations Available: Teacher leader, higher education administration
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, requires two one-week residencies

An online Ph.D. program or doctorate can offer many compelling features for students, but it might not be the right choice for everyone. Consider the questions below when deciding whether to pursue your doctorate online or in person.

• What type of schedule do you need? Online programs typically offer more flexibility that appeals to students who work full time or have personal responsibilities to fit around their school schedule. Online degrees allow learners to pursue higher education without putting their career on hold. This is especially true for programs that offer asynchronous coursework that students complete on their own time.
• What learning style works best for you? Do you work well independently and with a lot of freedom? If so, an online doctorate might be a good fit for you. If you think you’d prefer the camaraderie of an in-person cohort graduate program and structured opportunities to interact with instructors, an on-campus or hybrid program might suit you better.
• How does the program format affect your budget? Online programs can help you save on tuition, housing and transportation costs. For example, many public schools allow you to pay the same tuition, regardless of where you live. However, you might miss funding opportunities typically reserved for on-campus students, such as graduate teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships.

The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) approve accrediting agencies that give schools institutional accreditation in the U.S.

Institutional accreditation means that a university has met minimum quality requirements related to its academics, financial management, faculty and staff, and student resources and services. To qualify for federal financial aid, you must attend an accredited college.

Programmatic accreditation is a separate process that gives special recognition to individual degrees, programs or departments within a university. Depending on your field, you might need a programmatically accredited degree to get a job or qualify for professional licenses or certifications.

You can search for a prospective school’s accreditation status on CHEA’s website .

Consider Your Future Goals

An online doctorate has the potential to help you achieve your career aspirations. However, not every program in your field will necessarily align with your goals. Before you choose an online doctorate program, think about your post-graduation plans.

For example, some online doctorate programs require professional experience through an internship or a practicum. This type of hands-on learning can help you develop your expertise and professional network. But these experiences usually take place in person and can be hard to fit into your schedule if you’re working full time.

You should also consider if you need a specific license or certification to get the job you want. If so, research the credential’s requirements to learn if your degree needs to meet certain criteria. For example, you may need to complete an accredited program or complete supervised clinical hours.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Tuition rates for online doctoral programs in our guide vary significantly, from $265 to $2,137 per credit. Most programs required 42 to 60 credits, with some exceptions. In total, the degrees ranked on our list cost between $9,540 and $113,400.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , grad students at private, nonprofit schools paid an average tuition of $20,408 in 2022–23, while public school tuition cost $11,554 per year. Doctorate programs typically take at least three years to complete, putting total costs between $34,662 and $61,224.

Find funding for your online Ph.D. by filling out the FAFSA®, which can connect you with scholarships, grants and student loans. Many schools also provide funding to graduate students through scholarships, grants and fellowships.

Can you do a Ph.D. fully online?

Yes, many schools offer fully online Ph.D. programs. However, depending on the program and the field of study, you may need to complete on-campus residencies or field experiences like internships or practicums that take place in person.

What is the fastest Ph.D. to get online?

Program length for online Ph.D. programs varies depending on your field of study. You might be able to find some accelerated online Ph.D. programs that you can finish in less than two years. However, the best online doctoral programs on our list take at least three years to complete.

Are online doctoral degrees respected?

An online doctoral degree from an accredited university can provide the same rigorous education and training as a comparable on-campus program. If you’re concerned about whether or not your degree will be respected, consider doing some research about the way that your field or profession tends to view online doctoral degrees.

What is the best online school for a Ph.D.?

The best online school for a Ph.D. depends on your field of study, personal interests and career goals. Make sure that any prospective online school is institutionally accredited. Depending on the degree you want to pursue, it might also be important to find a program with separate programmatic accreditation.

Liz Simmons has been writing for various online publications about career development, higher education and college affordability for nearly a decade. Her articles demystify the college application process and help prospective students figure out how to choose a major or career path.

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Studying a PhD in The USA - The Complete Guide

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The USA is a favourable postgraduate study destination for international students due to the high standard of academic study and the wide variety of subjects. By undertaking a PhD in the USA, you will find yourself becoming an internationally recognised expert in your chosen field.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the USA is considered the highest awarded degree in many US universities and institutes for most fields of study. For many international students, it's a dream course that offers an exciting new life chapter.

Attending Grad School for a PhD in the USA is not the same as undertaking a PhD in Europe or the UK , it can often be a different experience. However, studying abroad will improve your global cultural understanding in addition to your network of contacts for your future career. A PhD degree is often required when you apply for high-level management jobs, government expert positions, and careers like a university professor, researcher, or scientist in many fields.

There are a multitude of reasons why the United States is a fantastic choice for your PhD studies. Here’s everything you need to know about studying a PhD in the USA.

1. PhD course length

The total length of a PhD in the USA is between 4-8 years for full-time students and 8-10 years for part-time students, depending on your field of study. PhDs can be completed in 4-5 years for students with a masters degree in an appropriate subject. Students typically dedicate 1-4 years on coursework, followed by 2-4 years of dissertation work. In the USA, the academic year is divided into two teaching semesters: August to December and January to May. 

Having a longer duration for your PhD allows for greater opportunities to adjust to your course and find your footing. This enables you to concentrate on developing a more comprehensive understanding of your chosen subject at a more relaxed pace.

2. World-class universities

The US repeatedly tops the charts of worldwide ranking universities , so what better place to do your PhD studies? Although rankings shouldn’t be the main deciding factor when making your PhD choice, they're a great indicator of educational expertise.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the location for your PhD. Does the university have a high employability rate after graduation? Are you wanting to go public or private university? What kind of research facilities do they have? 

Be sure to do some research before making a decision on your perfect place of study.

3. International community

The United States is a popular choice for international students from all over the world – making it an inspirational and cosmopolitan choice for your PhD studies. No matter what your choice of academic study is, you are guaranteed to find a diverse community that welcomes students from all backgrounds. 

4. Affordable tuition fees 

There are various tuition fee options available for PhD students regardless of your budget. The American higher education system is often associated with high fees and substantial student debt, but in fact, studying at an American university isn't always expensive, and many institutions offer affordable courses. For instance, PhD costs range from $28,000 to $55,000 annually, which shows that finding a PhD course that’s more affordable is possible. 

5. Student experience

American universities typically have vibrant campus communities with a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs and organisations. As a student, you will have the opportunity to engage in various social, cultural and recreational activities alongside your academic studies.

6. Student support

American universities typically provide comprehensive support services to assist you on your PhD journey. These services may include academic advising, counselling, career services, libraries, writing centres and various student organisations aimed at fostering your personal and professional development.

7. Land of opportunity

It's fair to say that student life in the USA offers something for everyone, regardless of what you're looking for from a PhD. With 50 states, six time zones, and thousands of higher-education providers, there's an opportunity waiting for every individual across the globe.

So let’s take a look at some of the key factors to consider when studying for a PhD in the USA.

Studying a PhD in the USA: top tips

Who is eligible for a phd in the usa.

To be eligible for PhD in the USA, generally students should have completed a graduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, provide proof of English language proficiency, GRE scores and other supporting documents.  The eligibility criteria for a PhD in the USA can vary depending on the specific university and program. 

Can I get a PhD without a masters degree?

Yes, you can pursue a PhD without having a masters. Universities in the USA do not require a masters for you to apply. Because of the graduate programs in the US, you will receive your masters degree once you have completed your coursework stage. This practice combines the masters and PhD into one.

The eligibility criteria and requirements for direct entry PhD programs vary among institutions and fields of study, so it is advisable to check the entry requirements of the specific university or course you are interested in.

How to apply for a PhD in the USA

When applying for your chosen subject in the USA, you should expect to provide relevant information and statements to the university. This will include:

Completed application form – provided by your preferred university.

A personal statement – on why you want to study the subject, your research interests and career goals. Be sure to include any extracurricular activities and achievements within the body of your statement.

References – universities will expect that your referees will recommend you for the chosen course.

Test scores and grades – you will generally need to submit scores from standardised tests like the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). 

English language proficiency – international applicants whose native language is not English usually need to provide proof of English language proficiency through tests like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). It varies from institution to institution, but international students in the USA are required to have a TOEFL score of about 90.

Samples of work – it is recommended that you provide some work you have done that is relevant to your chosen subject. You may even be asked to complete a small task during the application process.

The application fee. 

Method of study

Compared to the UK and Europe , studying a PhD in the USA involves several key differences. Students in the USA are usually in direct contact with their professor, compared with those in the UK where students might find that their PhD program is headed by a professor who gives them a little less flexibility to change their research and study areas. There can be several cultural differences between UK, Europe, and USA university lifestyles. US students are expected to undertake a great deal of teaching and marking, as opposed to PhD students in Europe. 

As a result, you may have less free time outside of the university when pursuing a PhD in the USA.

Application for PhD In USA

When applying for your chosen subject, you should expect to provide relevant information and statements to the university. This might include:

A personal statement on why you want to study the subject. Be sure to include any extra-curricular activities and achievements within the body of your statement.

References. Universities will expect that your referees will recommend you for the chosen course.

Test scores and grades. It is important that you provide a list of your awarded grades from previous courses you have studied.

Samples of work. It is recommended that you provide some work you have done that is relevant to your chosen subject. You may even be asked to complete a small task during the application process.

UK and Europe students decide on their PhD thesis subject area before they apply . While taking classes at a graduate level, prospective PhD students in the USA spend up to a year or two deciding on their specific research subject. It is normal to apply for up to six institutions for a PhD in the USA, and students apply to each institution separately as there is no central organisation. 

Students in the UK and Europe are expected to apply with an understanding of the subject already, usually in the form of a masters degree, and be ready to start studying at the PhD level straight away. In the USA it is expected that students do not have an in-depth understanding of their subject as they usually only have an undergraduate degree when they apply. 

When should I start applying for a PhD in the USA?

Deadlines for applications to PhD programs in the USA tend to be between December and February, and institutions should let you know about your application by April. Most US institutions recommend that you apply as far in advance as you possibly can to give them, and you, plenty of time to make arrangements. 

Universities in the USA do not require a masters for you to apply as well. Because of the graduate programs in the US, you will receive your masters degree once you have completed your coursework stage. This practice combines the masters and PhD into one.

It varies from institution to institution, but international students in the USA are required to have a TOEFL score of about 90.

Funding your PhD in USA

PhD students are very likely to receive financial support in the form of PhD scholarships ; some USA PhD students also receive PhD studentships .

Making your PhD application in plenty of time allows you more time to apply for and arrange your PhD funding. Many students find that funding can cover much, or all, of the cost of their PhD studies in the USA, which ranges between $28,000 and $40,000. Deadlines for funding applications can be as early as December before starting your studies in the Autumn/Fall. 

There are two types of PhD funding: fully funded, which pays for the student's graduate school tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses, or partially funded, which pays for the student's tuition only partially or fully.

Can a PhD be fully funded?

Yes, many top universities in the USA offer fully funded PhD programs for eligible students. This funding pays for the student's graduate school tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses. Partially funded PhDs only cover the student's tuition in part or in full.

Some PhD students will receive a stipend from their institution with an assistantship position, but this varies between institutions and between departments within institutions. Other students can find funding from both their own and the American government, and there are plenty of American government schemes like The Fulbright Program that offer funds.

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How long does it take to study a PhD in the USA?

For part-time students in the USA, a PhD can take eight to ten years, but it usually takes five to six years for full-time students. PhDs can be completed in four to five years rather than five or six for students with a masters degree in an appropriate subject.

Top 10 ranked American universities

Based on 2024 Times Higher Education's World University Rankings data, the following table shows which US universities rank the highest.

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• The Ivy League – A Guide for PhD Students

Written by Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse

The United States is the most popular study abroad destination in the world – and the Ivy League universities are amongst its top institutions.

If you’re considering PhD study in the USA , the Ivy League should definitely feature in your search! In this guide, we’ll cover what the Ivy League is and how you can maximise your chances of earning a place at one of these top institutions for your PhD.

On this page

What is the ivy league.

The Ivy League is a group of eight prestigious, high-ranking American universities. Ivy League schools have a reputation for producing world-renowned research, as well as high-profile graduates from former US presidents to Nobel Prize winners.

The members of the Ivy League are:

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• Princeton University
• Columbia University
• Dartmouth College
• Brown University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Cornell University

Though its members have a reputation for academic excellence, the Ivy League isn’t technically an academic alliance at all – it’s an athletic conference . Officially formed in 1954, the primary purpose of the conference was originally to set shared ground-rules for intercollegiate football.

Over time, the Ivy League has gone on to acquire the academic reputation it enjoys today. This is partially because its members were already amongst the country’s best established universities (all but one pre-date the American Revolution).

It is also because intellectual merit is a founding principle of the league – one of the motivations behind its inception was to make sure sports didn’t take priority over academia. This meant all eight universities agreed not to offer athletic scholarships so that they only admitted the most academically qualified students – a rule that persists to this day.

In the near seven decades since it was founded, the Ivy League has become less known for its sporting success and more known for the quality of its research (and its alumni!). Eight of the nine current Supreme Court justices and every former US president in the last 40 years studied at an Ivy League university.

Why do your PhD at an Ivy League university?

Earning your PhD at an Ivy League institution is certainly a worthy ambition – you’ll have gained your doctorate at one of the oldest and most well-respected universities in the United States (if not the world). Six of the eight Ivy League schools rank in the top 20 universities worldwide according to the Times Higher Education 2023 World Rankings . The same number rank within the top 100 according to their research-specific score.

Largely thanks to sizable donations from alumni and other benefactors, Ivy League schools are also able to offer some of the most well-funded PhD programmes across the globe. The eight members each have endowments ranging from approximately $5-30 billion . This means you’ll certainly benefit from excellent research facilities during your PhD!

Ivy League graduates also join an extensive alumni network. This will allow you to form lifelong connections that will be invaluable – whether or not you decide to pursue an academic career.

That said, it’s worth noting that none of these benefits are exclusive to the Ivy League. Of the top ten universities in the USA according to Times Higher Education, five are not members. Nobody would call into question that quality of education and research at non-Ivy institutions such as Stanford University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)!

When choosing where in the US to do your PhD, there are plenty more important factors to consider than whether a university belongs to a particular group. Are there faculty members in your department that share your research interests? What funding opportunities are available?

If an Ivy League university looks like it would be best suited to your personal research interests and aspirations, great! If not, there are plenty more fantastic options out there.

Learn more about PhD study in the USA

We cover everything you need to know about PhD study in the USA in our comprehensive guides, including universities, funding, visas and more.

PhD tuition fees at Ivy League universities

An Ivy League PhD guarantees a very high standard of education – but all that prestige comes at a price! You can expect to pay an average annual tuition fee of $48,405 for a PhD at an Ivy League university.

All eight members are all private universities – but their PhD tuition fees are still higher than the average private institution in the US (which charges around $26,621 per year).

Here’s an overview of the average PhD fees at each university:

In 1985, an admissions officer at Yale named Richard Moll listed eight public universities he considered to be of a comparable education standard to the Ivy League. He termed them the ‘Public Ivies’. They are:

• College of William & Mary
• Miami University
• University of California
• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia

The average annual fee for a PhD at a public university in the US is $12,394 . If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to an Ivy League doctorate, these universities are definitely worth considering!

PhD funding at Ivy League universities

Fees for PhD programmes at Ivy League universities may seem high – but the good news is that it’s rare for students to pay the full cost of their PhD. Ivy League schools provide generous funding packages for PhD students. In fact, many will even cover the full cost of your tuition, along with a stipend towards living costs. Some funding packages may include added benefits such as health insurance.

It’s actually very common for PhD students at Ivy League universities (and elsewhere in the US) to receive full coverage for their PhD costs. At Cornell University, for example, almost 97% of PhDs are fully funded through a combination of fellowships, assistantships and stipends.

We’ve produced a list of the funding opportunities available at each of the Ivy League universities below:

You can find out more in our full guide to PhD fees and funding in the USA .

Applying for a PhD at an Ivy League university

It won’t come as any surprise that PhD programmes at Ivy League universities are very competitive. Acceptance rates for postgraduate programmes are generally under 10% and can be as low as 4%.

Applications are made directly to your chosen graduate programme. It’s worth noting that applying for a PhD in the US is very different to in the UK and many European countries. American PhDs are not pure research degrees and you’ll usually have to go through a taught coursework stage before you start writing your thesis. For this reason, you’ll often develop your research proposal during your programme.

To apply for a PhD at an Ivy League university, you’ll usually need a combination of the following:

• Academic transcripts: The university will want to see a detailed breakdown of the grades you achieved during your previous degree(s). Because PhD programmes in the US effectively combine Masters and PhD study (some universities may even award a Masters part way through your PhD), it’s unlikely that a Masters will be required. However, it may be an advantage when applying to a competitive Ivy League school!
• Academic CV/ Resume
• Personal statement (sometimes referred to in the US as a ‘statement of purpose’)
• Standardised test scores : Ivy League applicants are sometimes required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Writing sample

Undergraduate and Masters programmes in the US are assessed using a system called Grade Point Average (GPA) . Your university will usually calculate your GPA equivalent based on your academic transcript.

Ivy League universities generally do not set minimum GPA requirements; however, it is true that the average GPA for successful applicants is quite high. For example, the average GPA amongst successful PhD applicants at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering was 3.8 in 2021 (4.0 is the highest GPA you can achieve).

That said, your GPA won’t necessarily make or break your application. A PhD application has many elements – meaning there are plenty of opportunities to compensate for a lower GPA, whether through a stand-out personal statement or a glowing letter of recommendation.

Find out more about applying for a PhD in the USA .

Ready to do a PhD in the USA?

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Our guide tells you everything about the application process for studying a PhD in the USA.

Our guide to PhD funding in the USA has information on fully-funded PhD scholarships, as well as other funding options for international and domestic students.

Our guide tells you exactly what kind of visa you need to study a study in the USA and what you need to apply for it.

What's it like to live in the USA during a PhD? Our guide covers accommodation, student living costs, working and other key information.

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My Wife Is Still In Love With Her Ex Who Came Out as Gay—What Should I Do?

"Dear Newsweek,

I am reaching out to seek advice on a complex and deeply personal issue that has been weighing on me for years.

I got married at the age of 20, my wife was 22. My wife is best friends with her ex-boyfriend, who has since come out as gay. Five years into our marriage, she admitted to me that she was still in love with him. Their relationship never truly ended; it merely transitioned as he came out of the closet during their late teenage years.

For a significant period, my wife wasn't in love with me. Although she now claims that she is, I remain uncertain. She maintains constant communication with him, talking and texting at least two to three times daily, every day, all year round.

Regardless of where we go or what we are doing, she feels compelled to update him, creating an impression that they share a combined life. Despite living in different states—he in Nevada and we in California—their communication never ceases, and I struggle to understand this perpetual need for an open line of communication.

When we go places together, they used to hold hands, making me feel like a third wheel. While I have fought hard to curtail these behaviors, the fact that I had to fight at all is disheartening . We have now been married for 17 years and have two children. Some aspects of our relationship have improved, but something still feels amiss. I know she loves me, but I don't feel desired or wanted.

We travel often, and while things aren't terrible, the presence of her ex-boyfriend in our lives is something I can no longer tolerate. To remove him from our lives, I fear I would also need to say goodbye to her, which I desperately do not want. This would break up our family, a prospect I find unbearable.

His constant presence feels like it takes her away from us and our ability to have a more loving relationship, even my children have noticed and commented that he seems more important to her than anyone else.

Additionally, she has often gaslighted me, calling me crazy and jealous whenever I express my discomfort. She frequently takes his side, making me feel isolated and unheard. Both she and her ex exhibit certain narcissistic tendencies, and whenever I bring up his name, I am met with anger and told to get over it. I am forced to accept him as part of our lives because she insists he is her family, given her troubled family background. She argues that he is the most stable person from her past, which further complicates the situation.

The relationship caused me to become co-dependent on her, leading me to seek therapy. I have been in therapy for three years, and I have made significant improvements. We have also been seeing a couples therapist for a year, but it seems she has made all the improvements she is willing to make. I feel stuck and unsure of how to move forward.

I can't fully summarize the depth of my feelings and the numerous events that have transpired over the years, but these general sentiments encapsulate my struggle. I am at a crossroads and need guidance on how to proceed. How do I navigate this situation without breaking up my family?"

Daniel, California

Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek .

'Work With a Therapist To Set Boundaries'

Brittany Cilento Kopycienski is a licensed counselor and practice owner based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a certified clinical trauma professional and an approved clinical supervisor. Her specialism is in treating depression, anxiety, trauma and life transitions. While she is based in Pennsylvania, she also practices in New Jersey.

First, I want to commend you for your vulnerability and for sharing what you're going through. As a mental health professional, I was very glad to see you report that you are engaging in couples counseling. It seems to me there is a communication and emotional intimacy breakdown and couples counseling is an integral part of healing these breakdowns.

Regarding moving forward, I would encourage you to be as transparent as you were with us, in your couples counseling. Think honestly about your feelings regarding potentially posing the ultimatum for her to end her relationship with her 'friend' and your feeling that she has made all the progress she can make are integral intimate feelings that can make for meaningful discussion.

When I hear clients use ultimatums, as a professional my thoughts usually go to "this individual is feeling so powerless" and that is what I am hearing you feel in this relationship. Based on the information provided, it sounds reasonable that you two, with the assistance from the couples therapist come up with an agreed-upon set of boundaries, not just for the relationship in general, but regarding her 'friend'.

Despite the [fact that the] individual may not possess any attraction to her at this point, her attraction and emotional connection to him is what matters in your relationship. In addition to coming together and setting agreed-upon boundaries for one another, I would suggest you do some self-exploration on your own or obtain your own therapist for support in identifying your own boundaries.

It is okay to have your own boundaries in a relationship, the key is communicating them and being consistent. Considering you have a noteworthy history with this person, any new boundaries identified will definitely test the relationship. But in my experience, individuals who want to be in our lives and love us are able to respect and find a way to work with our boundaries.

I wish you the best of luck with this situation. I hear you love her very much, but this situation is rightfully so creating tension that you are seeking a resolution for.

'Focus on Open and Compassionate Communication'

Rachel Marmor is a licensed mental health counselor and the chief wellness officer at the Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS) Foundation. Marmor, who is based in South Florida, has a decade of experience in supporting clients through anxiety, family conflicts, and depression.

Thank you for reaching out with this complex and deeply personal relationship dilemma. This situation touches on many layers of emotional entanglement and unmet needs that are often present in long-term relationships.

It's clear that the husband is feeling a deep sense of disconnection and frustration due to his wife's relationship with her ex-boyfriend. This situation has understandably led to feelings of insecurity, resentment, and confusion about his place in her life. The emotional turmoil he's experiencing is profound, especially given the length of their marriage and the presence of their children.

One of the tools that could be especially helpful for the husband is the PAIRS Talking Tips, which I often recommend for fostering open and compassionate communication. This tool provides a structured way to express feelings and needs without blame, and it can help both partners feel heard and understood. Here's how the husband might use this tool in a conversation with his wife:

Husband: "I notice that you communicate with [ex-boyfriend] multiple times a day, every day, no matter what we are doing. I assume this means that your relationship with him is still very important to you, perhaps even more important than our relationship at times. I think this dynamic makes me feel like a third wheel, and it feels like there's a part of you that isn't fully present with me. I am hurt by the times when you hold his hand or prioritize his needs over mine. I am frustrated because I've had to fight to establish boundaries that protect our marriage, and it feels like my feelings are not valued.

"I worry about how this is affecting our relationship and our family, and what this reminds me of from the past is the times I've felt neglected or less important in your life. I want to find a way to balance your connection with him while also making sure our marriage is the priority it needs to be. I appreciate you for the efforts you have made to improve our relationship, and I realize that this is a complicated situation with no easy answers. I hope that we can work together to create boundaries that make both of us feel secure and valued in our marriage."

This approach allows the husband to express his feelings in a way that is structured and non-confrontational. It opens the door for his wife to understand his emotional experience without feeling attacked, which can help create a more productive dialogue.

The key here is that the husband's communication is focused on his own feelings and needs, rather than accusing his wife of wrongdoing. This can help to reduce defensiveness and encourage a more open and empathetic response from her.

For the wife, it might be beneficial to explore why her relationship with her ex-boyfriend feels so vital to her emotional well-being. By understanding the underlying needs driving her behavior, she may be able to find ways to meet those needs within the marriage, or at least to renegotiate the boundaries of that relationship in a way that honors her husband's feelings.

The husband's ongoing therapy is crucial as he navigates these challenging emotions, helping him maintain clarity and self-respect. It's commendable that he has already made significant progress, and continued work on his co-dependency and self-worth will be important, regardless of the outcome of the marriage.

It's essential for both partners to be willing to learn and grow together. By using tools like PAIRS Talking Tips, they can begin to build a new foundation of trust, respect, and mutual understanding. If they can approach this situation with a spirit of openness and a willingness to change learned behaviors that no longer serve them, there is hope for creating a relationship that feels more balanced, loving, and secure.

About the writer

Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter based in London, United Kingdom.

Her current focus is on trending stories and human-interest features on a variety of topics ranging from relationships, pets, and personal finances to health, work, travel, and family dynamics. She has covered current affairs, social issues, and lifestyle stories extensively.

Melissa joined Newsweek in 2023 from Global's LBC and had previously worked at financial news publication WatersTechnology, tmrw Magazine, The Times and The Sunday Times, Greater London-based radio broadcaster Insanity Radio, and alongside other journalists or producers for research purposes. Since joining Newsweek, Melissa has been especially focused on covering under-reported women's health and social issues, and has spent a large part of her time researching the physical and mental impact of both the contraceptive pill and abusive relationships.

Prior to that, Melissa had been specialized in reporting on financial technology and data news, political news, and current affairs. She has covered data management news from industry giants like Bloomberg and Symphony, alongside the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the U.K economy's 2022-pound sterling crash, multiple National Health Service (NHS) strikes, and the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran.

A show that she produced and presented at the Greater London-based community radio station, Insanity Radio, was awarded 'Best Topical News Show' and the runner up award for 'Best New Radio Show' on the network.

She is a graduate in MA History from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Languages: English, Persian.

You can get in touch with Melissa by emailing [email protected].

You can follow her on X or Instagram at @melissafleura.

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Department of English

All rows from left: Top : Lindsay Brown, Ph.D. ’24; rL Goldberg, Ph.D. ’21; Michael Harrington, Ph.D. ’24; Annabelle Haynes, Ph.D. ’24  Middle : Fedor Karmanov, Ph.D. ’24; Lisa Kraege, Ph.D. ’24; Promise Li, Ph.D. ’24 (expected) Third : Rebecca Liu, Ph.D. ’23; Isabel (Izzy) Lockhart, Ph.D. ’22; Jason Molesky, Ph.D. ’23; Pasquale Toscano, Ph.D. ’24.

Annabelle Haynes, Fedor Karmanov, Rebecca Liu, Jason Molesky, Pasquale Toscano by by Sameer A. Khan / Fotobuddy. Lindsay Brown by Catharyn Watts-Battey. rL Goldberg by Sorat Tungkasiri. Other photos courtesy of the alumni.

Not pictured: Brandi Bushman, Ph.D. ’24 (expected) and Jeewon Yoo, Ph.D. ’24.

2024 graduate student outcomes

Congratulations to recent and soon to be doctoral graduates on their remarkable achievements in 2024.

English congratulates recent and soon to be doctoral graduates on their remarkable achievements this year: eight starting new assistant professor positions, three starting postdoctoral fellowships, and two starting visiting positions.

Lindsay Griffiths Brown, Ph.D. ’24 Assistant Professor of English, Lafayette College Brandi Bushman, Ph.D. ’24 (expected) Mellon Postdoctoral Research Associate in American Studies Assistant Professor of American Studies, Brown University RL Goldberg, Ph.D. ’21 Assistant Professor of Queer Studies, Hampshire College Michael Harrington, Ph.D. ’24 Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow in English, New York University Annabelle Haynes, Ph.D. ’24 Assistant Professor of English, Hofstra University Fedor Karmanov, Ph.D. ’24 Postgraduate Research Associate in English, Princeton University Lisa Kraege, Ph.D. ’24 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Classics, Brown University ­­ Promise Li, Ph.D. ’24 (expected) Lecturer in English, Caltech Rebecca Liu, Ph.D. ’23 Assistant Professor of English, Brown University Isabel (Izzy) Lockhart, Ph.D. ’22 Assistant Professor of English, New York University

Jason Molesky, Ph.D. ’23

Assistant Professor of English, Saint Louis University Pasquale Toscano, Ph.D. ’24 Instructor in English, Vassar College Jeewon Yoo, Ph.D. ’24 Visiting Assistant Professor of English, Williams College

Joan Barron: A Year Before College Well Spent

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "I’ll bet your average plumber makes more money than a regular English graduate. And that may be one reason more people than ever are questioning whether college is worth the time and expense."

September 07, 2024 4 min read

CHEYENNE — One of my pipe dreams has always been to be an English graduate student with no financial worries.

I would spend my days attending classes and studying the giants of English and American literature.

I would spend the nights at a downtown cafe or bar, preferably in Paris, where I would meet with other English majors to argue over our literary preferences.

I would try to convince them that F. Scott Fitzgerald was a better writer than Ernest Hemingway. It was Fitzgerald’s soul and heart versus Hemingway’s stylization; the short narrative.

Or whether Thomas Wolfe’s long sentences don’t seem as rich as when we first discovered his work as teenagers.

Or why we love or cannot dig Willam Faulkner and James Joyce.

You get the picture.

It seemed like a great life as a student.

But English majors don’t do all that well in the regular job market unless they get a Ph.D and nab a teaching job.

And those can be rare.

Universities are faced with the decline in English and other humanities majors in colleges nationwide and worldwide.

The trend is to engineering, business and science courses.

I’ll bet your average plumber makes more money than a regular English graduate.

And that may be one reason more people than ever are questioning whether college is worth the time and expense.

Part of the reason is the incredible cost.

An article in “The New Yorker” magazine in February, 2023 said the crisis for the English major came quickly and started even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“From 2012 to the start of the pandemic, the number of English majors on campus at Arizona State University fell from 953 to 578,” the article said.

The numbers also showed that the humanities studies in general suffered a significant drop. For example, graduate enrollment in women’s studies at Arizona State University declined by 80 percent.

Meanwhile a new book by Karin Klein “Rethinking College; A Guide to Thriving Without a Degree,” said that $37,853 is the average federal student loan debt.

It would take up to 20 years for students to pay off this debt with no guarantee that a four year degree will get them a high paying job.

As of July, she wrote, the unemployment rate for people between the ages of 16 and 24 was 9.1 percent, more than double the national average.

Klein is an advocate for apprentice training for some students who are unsure why they would go to college in the first place.

She makes a good point for students taking a year off to decide their future before embarking on a four-year college course.

On a personal note, I took a year off after high school. I had a scholarship to a community college but it was more oriented for secretaries and teachers.

Not for me.

During my year off, I worked one summer in the office of a furniture store. 

Being the summer sub I learned how to file records, be a cashier and ran the switchboard (which I already knew having worked a year in high school for Ma Bell and was still working there part time in the evenings.}

At the end of summer, the manager offered me a permanent job on condition I quit moonlighting for Ma Bell.

I refused his offer. I don’t think his condition that I quit my night job was legal, but I was a naive teenager. Anyway i found office work boring.

My next job was nurse’s aid at the local hospital. That was a job I found not boring at all.

So I worked full time at Ma Bell (also boring), turned down a promotion there, saved my money so I could enroll in the nursing school at University of Iowa hospitals.

It was a year well spent.

Klein, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist for the Los Angeles Times, emphasizes her respect for the need of philosophers and a liberal arts education.

But she also emphasizes he need for young people to have a goal when they enter a four-year college.

Pipe dreams count, too.

Contact Joan Barron at 307-632-2534 or [email protected]

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Assistant Professor of 18th Century Literature

Duke University’s Department of English seeks a dynamic scholar with expertise in 18th Century Literature for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. We seek a colleague who specializes in any genre (or combination of genres) and will also add to the department’s interdisciplinary strengths. Applicants should have received their PhD by the time of application and should have some publications.

Candidates submitting materials by November 1, 2024 will receive full consideration. Candidates should submit through Academic Jobs Online: a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a writing sample (an article or a chapter), teaching materials (syllabi and/or letter of evaluation), and three letters of reference.  The position start date is July 1, 2025. 

The search committee welcomes letters of nomination for potential candidates. We ask that all nominations be sent to [email protected] , using “18 th century” as the subject line. 

Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina, is committed to encouraging and sustaining a work and learning community that is free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. The institution prohibits discrimination and harassment in the administration of both its employment and educational policies. Duke makes good faith efforts to recruit, hire, and promote qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Duke is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. 

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. 

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Applying to the Biological Engineering PhD program

Thank you for your interest in MIT BE – we want to receive your application! This page explains the application process and provides information specific to our program that you may use to strengthen your application. Our evaluation process begins with your electronic application folder and proceeds through an on-site interview.

We believe that our diverse, welcoming, and collaborative community fosters the most effective environment for training students to conduct world-class research. To maintain and further strengthen our culture, we depend on continuing to receive applications representing a broad range of academic and personal backgrounds. From 2019-2022, we invited applicants from 64 different undergraduate institutions holding and expecting bachelors degrees in many different disciplines to interview for admission. Of applicants invited to interview from 2019-2022, about 52% self-identified as female, and more than 18% self-identified as underrepresented minorities (as defined by MIT). Many students join the program immediately after completing their undergraduate studies, while others have already received advanced degrees or acquired post-baccalaureate professional experience.

The guidance below is intended to help prospective students understand the aspects of academic preparation and experience that poise applicants for success in our program and how to present this information effectively in their application materials. This guidance is not intended to describe any “ideal” application profile or minimum standards for admission (no quantitative standards exist). Every complete application received is reviewed holistically by BE faculty.

Application to MIT BE is competitive, with fewer than 10% of applicants receiving an offer to interview each year (we offer admission to the majority of interviewees). Applicants holding international undergraduate degrees may apply, and such applicants received about 3% of the interview offers made from 2019-2022. Interview offers are communicated asynchronously to applicants in January and February each year.

Evaluation of applications for PhD study in BE particularly focuses on:

• Evidence of strong academic preparation and demonstrated interest in both a quantitative discipline and a biological discipline
• Evidence of aptitude for and experience/accomplishment in scientific or engineering research
• Explanation of interest in pursuing a career that leverages PhD-level training in Biological Engineering under the guidance of MIT BE faculty advisors

Academic preparation. Success in the challenging coursework and research components of the MIT BE PhD program requires a strong academic background in both biology and quantitative engineering or science. While many successful applicants hold undergraduate engineering degrees and have completed substantial coursework in biology, there are many different ways to demonstrate the academic preparation needed. Applicants whose principal degree is quantitative, computational, engineering, or in the physical sciences can bolster their training in biology by taking core biology courses like biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology. Applicants whose principal degree is in a life science field can acquire quantitative training in courses beyond calculus, biostatistics, and programming/informatics such as differential equations, linear algebra, and advanced courses in probability, statistics, analysis, and computer science.

Understanding that every applicant’s personal and college experience is unique and that grading practices differ, BE has no minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement. We strongly consider the factors other than GPA described on this page in our admissions process. However, most applicants receiving an interview offer have a GPA in the A range (>3.6 on an A = 4.0 scale), and from 2019-2022 the median GPA of interviewees was 3.94. Many applicants with high GPAs do not receive interview invitations, and applicants with GPAs below the A range may be competitive for admission in our holistic evaluation process given other extraordinary aspects of their academic record, experiences, and achievements detailed in their application materials.

Applicant statement. This application component is a free-form opportunity to introduce yourself in writing to the admissions committee, explain your interest in Biological Engineering at MIT, and contextualize other application components including your academic record, research experience, and letters of recommendation. The admissions committee wants to hear why PhD-level training in Biological Engineering under the mentorship of MIT BE faculty is right for you, which research groups you may be interested in joining, how you have prepared to receive PhD training, and how this training may power your aspirations for the future. The MIT BE Communications Lab CommKit has additional content on writing statements of purpose . While not a particular focus of our evaluation, the statement is an opportunity to directly demonstrate your writing skills and attention to detail.

Letters of recommendation provide crucial evidence of research aptitude in successful applications. The most impactful support letters come from your faculty research supervisor(s) who know you well and have substantial experience advising PhD students. Support letters from other research supervisors, academic advisors, or course instructors may also be included. You can find general guidance (not specific to applications to study in the BE PhD program) on requesting letters of recommendation and on support letter content from the Biological Engineering Communication Lab.

To apply , go to the online application and create a user id and password. You do not need to complete the entire application in one sitting. You may begin the application, save it, and return to it at a later time using your user ID and password.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications ahead of the deadline and are responsible for ensuring that all admissions credentials are submitted on time. Your application will not be reviewed until all materials have been received. There is no separate application for financial support; all admitted applicants are offered a full support package.

The BE Department does not require the standardized Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test as part of our application process, but will consider scores if provided by the applicant.

To apply follow these steps.

1. Fill out the online application by 23:59, EST, December 15.

You will be providing the following information:

• Field(s) of interest
• Personal information/addresses
• International student data
• Three or more names and email addresses of letter writers
• Scanned copies of your College Transcripts
• For international students, scanned copies of your IELTS scores
• Academic preparation and research/work experience
• Applicant statement
• Credit card payment of $90 (Information on requesting a fee waiver is here )

2. Arrange for submission of the following (official reports only):

Scanned PDF transcripts and IELTS scores are considered unofficial documents but are sufficient for review purposes. Official documents are required before an admissions decision can be made. Please have any test scores electronically transmitted to MIT Admissions and mail official copies of your transcript(s) to:

MIT Department of Biological Engineering

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Bldg. 16-267

Cambridge, MA 02139

For international students:

IELTS scores should also be electronically sent directly to MIT.

• To register for a test, visit the IETLS website.
• IELTS does not require a code. Please write “Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology”. No address is required as scores are reported electronically.
• If you are an international student, you should take the IELTS test by November 15. The Department of Biological Engineering does not waive this requirement.

The IELTS is waived for applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, or the United Kingdom, or for applicants who have or will earn a BS degree at a US university.

To answer questions related to the application process, the Department will be holding two webinars this fall, the first on September 26 from 2PM – 3:30PM ET and the second on October 21 from 12:30PM – 2PM ET.

RIT offers new master’s degrees in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and project management

Courses designed to give credit for prior related education and allows remote learning.

Scott Hamilton/RIT Photography

RIT has added three new master’s degrees to its portfolio: chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and project management. Students pursuing graduate degrees are able to combine advanced coursework with hands-on opportunities in laboratories alongside faculty-researchers.

RIT is offering three new master’s degrees designed to meet industry needs.

Chemical engineering and biomedical engineering programs in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering will include new master’s degrees as part of the engineering portfolio this year to meet demands in increasing renewable energies, personalized healthcare technologies, and diagnostic system improvements.

National trends indicate a growing need for graduates with the combined skills in engineering and in the chemical and biological sciences, engineering processes, and ‘smart’ technologies.

The graduate programs will have a mix of students from the established undergraduate programs, as well as new-to-RIT students from regional, national, and international chemical engineering programs seeking advanced degrees. With the flexibility of the degree program, the department also is seeing interest and enrollments from students from other science disciplines such as physics , said Patricia Taboada-Serrano , Graduate Programs Director.

“This will be achieved through a bridge program designed to provide the appropriate engineering background required for successful completion of an advanced degree in chemical engineering,” she said.

A dozen students have been accepted for the new program and will begin chemical engineering courses this fall. There are also eight BS/MS students enrolled in the program who are completing undergraduate work.

There will be several emphasis areas: chemical and mechanical engineering applications; microelectronic focus on semiconductors, photovoltaics, microfabrication; microsystems and quantum level systems; materials science; and advanced mathematics and simulation.

“The strength of our program is the design of its curriculum, as we are able to provide depth in content and advanced skills in one year of studies in the case of full-time students,” said Taboada-Serrano, associate professor of chemical engineering. “The timeline of the completion of the graduate degree enables our MS graduates to rejoin the workforce quickly if they delayed or interrupted careers to obtain a graduate degree. The compactness of our curriculum also enables working professionals to pursue our MS degree and complete it in two to three years.”

Similar to chemical engineering, the biomedical engineering program has grown substantially since it began 10 years ago. Today, 15 students in biomedical engineering (BME) are being integrated into graduate study through the BS/MS options. There are five new students in the stand alone master's program . It is a one-year, course-based program that features a Capstone design sequence.

Biomedical engineers combine knowledge of engineering with biology, anatomy, and physiology to create devices and systems to address the need for sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic equipment and solutions.

In addition to the advanced engineering degrees, 10 RIT students this semester are the first to enroll in classes for a project management master’s degree .

The 30-credit degree is approved for both in-person and online delivery.

Project management is a process for managing the successful execution of new initiatives within an organization for the sake of expanding the breadth of capabilities, services, and products offered.

“You can use this discipline in almost any field,” said Peter Boyd , senior lecturer and graduate programs director for RIT’s School of Individualized Study , which is overseeing the program. “It’s akin to software engineering in that you could work in numerous industries, from IT to construction to aviation or health care.”

“Project management is a growing discipline. There’s a growing demand in a wide range of industries,” Boyd said.

A  RITx MicroMasters in Project Management, offered by SOIS on the edX.org platform, is an additional pathway into the program that allows students to earn RIT course credit at a reduced cost, that can be applied toward the requirements for the MS in project management. 

RIT’s master’s degree in project management differs from others across the country because he said RIT developed a curriculum “that is responsive to a wide range of student academic and professional needs, employs non-traditional teaching models that place a greater emphasis on project-based learning, and similar active learning experiences.” RIT’s degree also promotes strong student/faculty mentor-mentee relationships and brings project management to industries that would benefit from it but have otherwise not traditionally embraced the discipline.

The degree program allows students to customize their courses for their degrees, providing a natural path of interdisciplinary study. This allows students the ability to better specialize to their specific interests, giving them a competitive edge in their field of interest and making them more valuable to an employer.

Of the 10 courses required to earn the MS degree, four are elective, so students may use advanced certificates or other courses already offered at RIT. The remaining six classes focus on the core topics of the project management discipline and align with the standards set by the Project Management Institute, the governing body for the field.  

One of those students is Dana Harp, who is taking the classes online from her home in Lewes, Del. She does clinical research remotely for Pfizer.

She received her edX project management MicroMasters in 2020 and transferred those credits toward a project management advanced certificate with RIT in 2021. She took a couple of years off from education and was pleasantly surprised when she learned RIT now offers a master’s in project management.

“I was always interested in getting my master’s degree,” Harp said. “My company has a great program to reimburse for education, so I have the opportunity to continue learning without having to pay for it all myself. And it will definitely open up more opportunities for promotion by having that degree. It will give me a leg up for the trajectory I want to be on. This is going to help me moving forward.”

Harp hopes to receive her master’s degree in the spring or next fall, and she’s excited to be one of the first students receiving the RIT degree.

“I’m lucky all of my earlier classes transferred over, and it’s really cool to see that some of the professors I’ve had in previous classes are teaching in this program as well,” she said. “I think it’s going to be really fun.”

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