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Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in English offers students extensive learning in the areas of literature, rhetoric and composition, writing studies and beyond, with a distinctive focus on narrative. The program provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the ways narratives not only represent the world but also make it and change it, for both good and ill.

Narrative is defined very broadly as a fundamental and ubiquitous mode of thought that guides perception, constructs feelings and directs actions, operating at varying scales, in all domains and through multiple media and modes of perception. Students acquire advanced skills in critiquing, revising and creating narratives in the service of more effective and socially responsible problem solving, decision making, innovation and action planning. These skills are useful in a range of professions both in and outside the university, including law, teaching and library and information science. Graduates are well prepared to engage with a changing world.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in English or related discipline from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement (1-2 pages)¹
• Writing sample (12-25 pages) relevant to the field of study
• Three letters of recommendation²
• Starting with the spring 2027 admission term: Interview with faculty (virtual) for applicants being considered for assistantships
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:³
  • Minimum 102 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 73 PTE score
  • Minimum 130 DET score

¹

Goal statement should describe relevant preparation, research interests and long-range academic and career goals.

²

Recommendation letters should be from current or recent professors/advisors who can speak to the applicant's intellectual abilities and scholarly potential.

³

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Funding deadline: December 1 (international student) and January 15 (domestic student)
    All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
    Applicants for the spring semester will not be considered for funded assistantships.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze and interpret literary and non-literary texts and narratives.
2. Interpret and explain research in and connections between the fields of narrative theory, literary studies, rhetoric and writing studies.
3. Design and implement an original long-form research project and apply appropriate research methods.
4. Communicate research clearly and effectively in written, ora, and/or multi-modal formats.
5. Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus