english phd programs florida

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PhD Graduate Program

With strengths in Caribbean literature, early modern studies, gender and queer studies, and Irish studies, our PhD program is a diverse, selective, and dynamic one. We keep our yearly cohorts small (5-7 students), so our PhD students receive attentive mentoring from our distinguished graduate faculty. 

Graduate Studies: PhD in English

The program offers opportunities for research in all major areas of literatures and cultural studies in English, with particular strengths in Caribbean literary studies, early modern literature, feminisms and theories of gender and sexuality, transnational studies, Irish literary studies, and postcolonial studies. We encourage students to enroll in classes, where appropriate, in the departments of  Modern Languages and Literatures  and  History . In the most recent rankings of English PhD programs by the National Research Council (2010), our program was one of the two  top ranked programs in the United States  for student and faculty diversity, and we especially encourage applications from highly qualified underrepresented groups and international students. All of our PhD graduate students are fully funded, receiving tuition remission and a cost-of-living stipend.

We offer seminars and workshops in all areas of professionalization, including publication, academic job preparation, and alternative academic (alt-ac) support.  Within nine months after graduating, over   90% of our graduates have full-time employment --the majority of them securing term and tenure-track academic appointments. 

Other Highlights:

• All students get five years of support (tuition remission, stipend, and health insurance) with the option of applying for a sixth year of funding if necessary 
• Editorial opporutunities to work on two different academic journals:  Anthurium  and  The James Joyce Literary Supplement
• Explore alternative careers related to the PhD with the support of our unique  UGROW Program
• Research assistant opportunities on digital humanities projects
• Interdisciplinary concentrations in Caribbean Studies and Early Modern Studies
• Active research groups and workshops run by the Humanities Center and English PhD graduate students

If you have questions about the PhD program, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies,  Professor Patricia Saunders , or the Graduate Program Coordinator,  Lydia Starling .

For information about the  MFA in Creative Writing , please contact the Director of Creative Writing,   Chantel Acevedo .

Follow the PhD program on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram via the icons below!

Department of English

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Curriculum Requirements

• Courses Ph.D. students must complete 54 credit hours (if entering with a B.A.) or 36 credit hours (if entering with an M.A.) of 600-level courses in literature and literary theory.
• Language Requirements A basic reading knowledge of two foreign languages or an advanced reading knowledge of one foreign language is required.
• completed the required Ph.D. coursework,
• satisfied the foreign language requirement
• enrolled for ENG 697 .
• Dissertation Students may proceed with the dissertation after the dissertation committee has been appointed and the dissertation proposal has been accepted by the committee and approved by the department. The dissertation itself must be an investigation of a substantial critical or scholarly topic. A final oral defense of the dissertation is required. Further information on the department’s graduate programs is contained in the Guide to Graduate Study available from the Department of English and posted on the department Web site in the Graduate section. Students must complete their work within one year of the schedule set out in the Guide to Graduate Study.

Doctoral Concentration in Early Modern Studies

The  Medieval and Early Modern Studies Concentration  is an interdisciplinary concentration to be earned in conjunction with the individual Ph.D. requirements for the departments of English, History, and Modern Languages and Literatures (Romance Studies, Spanish, and French). Graduate students will continue to be housed in any one of the three departments and must fulfill the requirements of their discipline. To qualify for the Concentration, students must successfully complete a minimum of two courses (6 credit hours) in  medieval and/or early modern studies  in one or both of the other two departments, substituting for courses within their department; and a minimum of two courses (6 credit hours) in  medieval and/or early modern studies  within their home department. Thus, for example, a student whose home department is English would need to take two courses in medieval and/or early modern studies in English and then  either  two courses in History or MLL  or  one course in History   and  one course in MLL.  A list of courses for the academic year is posted regularly on the website of the  Center for the Humanities .

Doctoral Concentration in Caribbean Studies

This is an interdisciplinary concentration to be earned in conjunction with the individual Ph.D. requirements for the departments of English, History, and Modern Languages and Literatures. Ph.D. students pursuing the doctoral concentration take a minimum of two Caribbean-focused courses (6 credit hours) within their home department, and a minimum of two Caribbean-focused courses (6 credit hours) outside of their department.

Curriculum 

Students pursuing the doctoral concentration in Caribbean Studies must take as part of their required course credit hours a minimum of four Caribbean-focused courses (12 credit hours) as shown below.

A minimum of two courses (6 credits) selected from the following:

• ENG 612 The Digital Caribbean
• ENG 658: Studies in Transatlantic Literature
• ENG 665: Studies in African American Literature
• ENG 666: Caribbean Literature
• ENG 667: Caribbean Popular Culture
• ENG 668: Studies in Race and Diasporic Literatures
• ENG 686: Theories of Gender and Sexuality
• ENG 687: Studies in Literature and Culture since 1950
• ENG 688: Studies in Latino/a Literatures and Cultures
• ENG 689: Comparative Americas Studies 
• ENG 695 Special Topics: Global Black Film
• FRE 727 Topics in French Caribbean Cultural Studies
• FRE 775: Topics in Francophone Studies
• MLL 721: Atlantic Crossings: Literature and Immigration in the Age of Globalization
• MLL 727: Topics in Caribbean Cultural Studies 
• SPA 727: Topics in Hispanic Caribbean Cultural Studies 
• SPA 733: Topics in Colonial Literature
• SPA 735: Topics in 19th Century Latin American and Caribbean Literature
• SPA 736: Topics in 20th Century Latin American and Caribbean Literature
• HIS 602: Africa and the African Diaspora
•  HIS 602: Africa in Cuba / Cuba in Africa
•  HIS 611: South Asians in the Caribbean and the United States
• HIS 652: Race in Latin America
• HIS 652: Travels through Latin America
• HIS 654: Caribbean Religions: Healing and Power
• HIS 654: Haiti in History
• HIS 654: Caribbean Intellectual History and Social Movements
• HIS 662: Slavery and Capitalism
• HIS 669: Black Protest Thought
• HIS 669: Rethinking African-American Culture
• HIS 669: History of Global Slavery
• HIS 697: Navigating New Worlds
• HIS 708: Slavery in the Atlantic World
•  HIS 708: Atlantic Histories
•  HIS 716: Caribbean Field Prep 
• HIS 717: Field Preparation in Modern Caribbean History
• **Or other courses with advisor’s approval following these guidelines.**

For courses  not listed as fulfilling requirements for the concentration,  the student should reach out to the professor to obtain the following confirmation to get the course approved:

• at least 50% content of the course focuses on the Caribbean region 
• that the student’s papers for the class and/or the final project should focus on Caribbean studies.

Guidelines for one-time approval of a course with less than 50% of Caribbean content:  If you are taking this course to meet the Caribbean Concentration requirements, you will need to supplement the readings for the course in consultation with the departmental Caribbean Concentration representative and your advisor so that it meets the reading requirement of 50% content in Caribbean studies (i.e. the additional readings include at least one Caribbean focused reading for 7 weeks or more of the course).  Your final project will also need to meet the requirement by focusing on a topic in the field of Caribbean Studies.

The Department of English works to provide its students with a thorough understanding of literatures written in English; to introduce them to a range of critical and theoretical methodologies; to provide them with the skills needed to establish their own scholarly expertise within an area of specialization; to prepare them for careers in scholarship and research within the academy; to train them for teaching in two- and four-year colleges and in research universities; where appropriate, to transfer and develop those research, communication, and presentation skills to non-academic settings; and to assist them in obtaining appropriate employment inside or outside higher education.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of literatures written in English and master methods of literary and cultural analysis.
• Students will develop a capacity for professional development, enabling the graduate to contribute to a profession or field of study.
• Students will demonstrate excellence in teaching undergraduate writing and literature courses.

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Florida State University

FSU | The English Department

The English Department

Meegan Kennedy Wins NEH Fellowship

Meegan Kennedy recently received a big boost from the National Endowment for the Humanities...

Read More...

Jimmy Kimbrell Wins NEA Fellowship

Jimmy Kimbrell Wins NEA Fellowship...

Welcome to Florida State's Department of English.

Internationally recognized for their cutting-edge research and publications, our faculty offer a wide range of courses in literary fields, genres, and media. We equip our ambitious, multi-talented undergraduate and graduate students to venture out into the new creative economies: from academia to publishing, from artistic entrepreneurialism to social media marketing.

We are located in the Williams Building, which houses classrooms and the Augusta Conradi Theatre. We invite you to explore our program offerings and to meet our dedicated faculty, students, and staff.

Support the department: give.fsu.edu (search for F00218)

Department News

English department faculty members earn NEH Summer Stipends

Associate professors Lindsey Eckert and Tarez Samra Graban were each awarded a grant that will support their work on humanities projects for two months.  Read more...

Doctoral student Samuel Granoff earns Fulbright Research Award

He will conduct research at the Universite Paris-Saclay during the 2024-25 academic year to complete his dissertation, a World War I novel set in Belgium and France.  Read more...

Ph.D. graduate Natalie Tombasco leaves indelible mark at FSU

She discovered her creative path in Staten Island, leading to far-reaching success with the department's Creative Writing Program and the Southeast Review .  Read more...

See All Department News...

Creative Writing

Consistently ranked among the top writing programs in the country, the Creative Writing program  offers a thriving community to writers who are looking to strengthen their craft while building life-long relationships in writing. 

Literature, Media, and Culture

The Literature, Media, and Culture program  exposes students to provocative questions that spark scholarly engagement and creativity, helping them discuss the social and political impact of literature.

Rhetoric and Composition

The graduate program in Rhetoric and Composition focuses on rhetorical and social practices and theories of composition, particularly emphasizing the relationships between texts, technologies, language, and literacies. 

Editing, Writing, and Media

The undergraduate  Editing, Writing, and Media track  emphasizes the production, analysis, and interpretation of historic, contemporary, academic, and everyday texts. 

The English Department at Florida State University

View the full Department of English calendar

English Department

405 Williams Building Tallahassee,

Florida 32306-1580

Phone: (850) 644-4230

Program Contacts

[email protected]

[email protected]

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UCF Doctorates

Achieve your career goals with a doctorate.

Become a leading expert and researcher in your field.

Earning your doctoral degree from a university known for innovative research provides you with an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience using modern resources and facilities that equip you for success. Offering doctoral, professional doctoral and research specialist degree programs, UCF offers a range of programs to advance your education. Many of these programs — including computer science, healthcare management, nursing practice, public affairs, and various education and engineering fields — are ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report.

Learn from world-renowned faculty and prepare for the highest level of theory and practice in your field. Take what you learn in the classroom, and create lasting change in your career. Whether you’re looking for a role within academia, industry or government sectors, UCF doctoral programs allow you to prove your abilities, expand your expertise and develop solutions that yield useful insights.

Pursue a doctorate.

Participate in advanced study and innovative research in your chosen field with a doctoral degree from UCF. Start on your path toward academic excellence today.

Top 10 Doctorates*

• Medicine MD
• Nursing Practice DNP
• Computer Science PhD
• Education PhD
• Electrical Engineering PhD
• Physical Therapy DPT
• Mechanical Engineering PhD
• Optics and Photonics PhD
• Psychology PhD
• Physics PhD

*By Enrollment | Data provided by ikm.ucf.edu .

Research Support

Research is a complex process. That’s why UCF’s libraries, the Office of Research and various other departments provide you with the tools and services you need. From planning your research project to publishing and presenting, we’re here to help you succeed.

Explore some of the research services and resources you’ll have access to below.

Gain the foundation and rationale needed to build research questions, identify gaps and support claims. From documenting the data you collect and generate to managing digital files to ensure usability and long-term preservation, you’ll get the help you need to guide you through every step. Whether you’re working on a dissertation, thesis or creative project, you’ll have access to various workshops and individual research consultations from the library and the Office of Research.

Preserving and Disseminating

Make sure your hard work is safe and preserved in an organized, efficient way. If it is stored or shared in an accessible location, then your works are easily disseminated to impact worldwide scholarship. Depending on the format of data, document, or other scholarship, we’ll help develop a preservation plan that helps ensure the future use of your data and materials.

Publishing and Presenting

Get the support you need to help reach your publishing goals. UCF’s Office of Scholarly Communication offers services for publishing, presenting and knowing your author rights. Writing workshops are also available through various departments.

Prestige, Impact and Discovery

Help others locate your work with discovery support. When your research is found and cited, your impact measures will rise. From citation to alternative metrics, we’ll help you with collecting and analyzing impact factor rankings and other measures.

Featured Degrees

Aerospace Engineering

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Modeling and Simulation

Nursing Practice

Learning Charges On

Through dynamic change and unprecedented challenges, UCF supports you as you move forward. Whether you’re on campus or online, we are here to prepare you for meaningful achievements and a rewarding future. Together, we’ll continue to Charge On.

Doctoral Degrees

Arts and humanities.

• Texts and Technology (PhD)
• Business Administration (PhD)
• Business Administration (PhD) - Accounting
• Business Administration (PhD) - Finance
• Business Administration (PhD) - Management
• Business Administration (PhD) - Marketing

Community Innovation and Education

• Criminal Justice (PhD)
• Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.)
• Education (PhD)
• Education (PhD) - Counselor Education
• Education (PhD) - Early Childhood
• Education (PhD) - Elementary Education
• Education (PhD) - Exceptional Education
• Education (PhD) - Exercise Physiology
• Education (PhD) - Higher Education
• Education (PhD) - Instructional Design and Technology
• Education (PhD) - Learning Sciences
• Education (PhD) - Mathematics Education
• Education (PhD) - Methodology, Measurement and Analysis
• Education (PhD) - Reading Education
• Education (PhD) - Science Education
• Education (PhD) - Social Science Education
• Education (PhD) - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Education (PhD) - Teaching, Learning, and Development Track
• Educational Leadership (EdD)
• Educational Leadership (EdD) - Executive Track
• Educational Leadership (EdD) - Higher Education
• Public Affairs (PhD)
• Public Affairs (PhD) - Criminal Justice
• Public Affairs (PhD) - Governance and Policy Research
• Public Affairs (PhD) - Health Services Management and Research
• Public Affairs (PhD) - Public Administration
• Public Affairs (PhD) - Public Administration (MPA) Dual Degree
• Public Affairs (PhD) - Social Work

Engineering and Computer Science

• Aerospace Engineering (PhD)
• Aerospace Engineering (PhD) Post-Master's Track
• Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
• Biomedical Engineering (PhD) - Post-Master's Track
• Civil Engineering (PhD)
• Computer Engineering (PhD)
• Computer Science (PhD)
• Electrical Engineering (PhD)
• Environmental Engineering (PhD)
• Industrial Engineering (PhD)
• Materials Science and Engineering (PhD)
• Materials Science and Engineering (PhD) - Post-Masters Track
• Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

Graduate Studies

• Modeling and Simulation (PhD)

Health Professions and Sciences

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Kinesiology (PhD)
• Hospitality Management (PhD)
• Biomedical Sciences (PhD)
• Biomedical Sciences (PhD) - MD/PhD Track
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Advanced Practice DNP
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - ARNP Post Master's
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Executive
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing (PhD)
• Nursing (PhD) - BSN to PhD

Optics and Photonics

• Optics and Photonics (PhD)
• Big Data Analytics (PhD)
• Big Data Analytics (PhD) - Statistics Track
• Chemistry (PhD)
• Conservation Biology (PhD)
• Conservation Biology (PhD) - Conservation Biology
• Conservation Biology (PhD) - Integrative Biology
• Integrative and Conservation Biology (Ph.D.)
• Integrative and Conservation Biology (Ph.D) - Integrative Biology
• Integrative and Conservation Biology (PhD) - Conservation Biology
• Integrative Anthropological Sciences (PhD)
• Mathematics (PhD)
• Mathematics (PHD) - Financial Mathematics Track
• Physics (PhD)
• Physics (PhD) - Planetary Sciences
• Psychology (PhD)
• Psychology (PhD) - Clinical
• Psychology (PhD) - Human Factors & Cognitive Psychology
• Psychology (PhD) - Industrial and Organizational
• Security Studies (PhD)
• Sociology (PhD)
• Strategic Communication (PhD)

Thirteen colleges. Unlimited possibilities.

At UCF, we offer an array of academic options for just about every interest. Check out our 240+ degree programs , award-winning faculty and groundbreaking research. You’ll quickly discover all there is to experience and learn at one of the nation’s most innovative universities.

University of South Florida

Department of English

TAMPA | ST. PETERSBURG | SARASOTA-MANATEE

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Prospective graduate students, why should i choose the university of south florida.

• USF English offers three degrees (MA, MFA, PhD) and multiple graduate certificates .
• USF English students participate in a broad range of teaching, administrative, and research opportunities.
• USF English faculty are award-winning scholars who work one-on-one with students.
• USF English offers internships preparing students for a variety of careers, both within and outside of academia.
• USF English is located in the vibrant and diverse tri-city area of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Florida.

What does a USF English graduate degree cost?

• USF English offers comprehensive funding for MAs, MFAs, and PhDs.
• USF English graduate assistants take three classes per semester covered by tuition remission.
• USF English graduate assistants teach two classes (or the equivalent) per semester paid by the stipend.

What do USF English graduate students do with their degrees?

• USF English PhD graduates become faculty members at universities and colleges across the country.
• USF English MA graduates are accepted to top-ranked PhD programs.
• USF English MFA graduates pursue careers in non-academic fields and college/university teaching (usually with significant publications).
• All USF English graduates are mentored for a wide range of academic and non-academic positions.

How can I submit an effective application?

• Applications are due January 1st
• Statement of purpose
• Writing sample
• Letters of recommendation
• Graduate School official application portal

When are applications due?

To be considered, applications are due January 1st . USF English admits one graduate cohort each year in the fall. Admissions committees meet in January to review applications and usually make Graduate Assistantship (GA) offers by February.

USF English allows non-degree seeking students to take graduate classes (dependent on course availability and faculty approval); please contact the graduate director for more information.

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Ma in english.

Our Master of Arts degree in English offers students an advanced education in the study of literature and literary criticism or writing and rhetoric. Graduate students at the MA level will become familiar with the primary literature and pertinent research in their chosen track.

This track emphasizes advanced research in literary and cultural studies. Students in the program develop their knowledge of multiple "English Literatures" (particularly North American, British, and Caribbean) across media, employing diverse theoretical and critical approaches. Graduates of the program have gone on to careers in high school and college teaching as well as other fields that draw on their well-honed research and communication skills, such as journalism, social advocacy, and government. The program also has a successful track record in placing interested students in PhD programs in English and Comparative Literature.

Writing and Rhetoric

In this track, we engage with students' diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, build on their 21st-century literacies, and support them as they learn to communicate more effectively in university, community, K-12, and professional contexts. Graduates of the Writing and Rhetoric track can work as professional writers in private industry, governmental, and nonprofit organizations, and as writing instructors at the secondary and postsecondary level. The track also provides excellent preparation for graduate study such as a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition.

Thesis Process

Program Director

Martha Schoolman Associate Professor; Director of the MA in English   305-348-2874   [email protected]  DM 462C

Luke Thominet Associate Professor; Associate Director Writing and Rhetoric Program; Associate [...]   305-348-2203   [email protected]  DM 464B

Department of English MMC: 11200 SW 8 Street, DM 453 Miami, FL 33199 Tel:   305-348-2874 BBC: 3000 NE 151 Street, AC1-335 North Miami, FL 33181 Tel:   305-919-5857

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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.

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• Universities /

PhD Programs at the University of Florida: Offerings, Criteria, Financial Assistance, and Further Details

• Updated on  
• May 24, 2024

Completing a PhD program allows you to have an edge over other professionals and academicians. Even more so if you do it from a prestigious institute like the University of Florida . The University of Florida PhD programs are renowned for their prestige and excellent curriculum worldwide. Located in Gainesville, Florida, United States , this public research institute is the state’s largest, oldest, and most comprehensive university. Let’s learn about its popular PhD courses, requirements, fees, career scope, and more in this blog. 

This Blog Includes:

University of florida phd: overview , university of florida phd: programs and fees, university of florida phd: stipend, university of florida phd: requirements, documents required , popular scholarships, career scope .

The University of Florida offers world-class PhD programs that boast a great curriculum and excellent teaching staff. It is among the United State’s most academically diverse public universities. One of the key benefits of being a PhD student at the University of Florida is that it offers you highly rewarding career opportunities. These include leadership positions in science and engineering, prestigious teaching posts for English and arts majors, and government positions.

Also Read: PhD in Chemistry at Edinburgh University: Entry Requirements, Cost, Application Process

The University of Florida PhD programs are offered in a wide array of fields, including high-in-demand disciplines like accounting, anthropology, computer engineering, and architecture. 

All students admitted to the University of Florida PhD program will be awarded Teaching Assistantships and/or research assistantships, or (for a select few) full graduate fellowships. The base nine-month stipend for incoming PhD students is USD 19,200 (minus semester fees of nearly USD 500/semester). Admitted students may be provided additional fellowships, top-ups, or awards, determined by the department. 

Before you apply for a University of Florida PhD program, make sure you meet its eligibility requirements. See below the criteria you need to meet to apply for admission there. 

• Students need to have an upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.4 and/or a graduate GPA of at least 3.5.
• Moreover, they need at least three letters of recommendation indicating strong potential for success in the doctoral course. 
• Here are the English language test scores accepted at the university:

Application Process

If you meet the eligibility requirements for the University of Florida PhD, let’s proceed with the application process. Follow the steps given below to apply for admission to a PhD program at this institute. 

• Gather all the necessary documents. 
• Then, head over to the university’s application page and create our account. 
• Complete the application form, submit all the mandatory documents, and pay the application fee. 
• Now, wait for the university’s decision regarding your application. 
• You can check your application status on the UF admission page . 

Here are the documents you need to submit:

• A well-written essay on career goals and objectives (required of all applicants),
• Copy of master’s thesis or project if completed,
• Copies of reprints, convention papers, etc. if any have been completed,
• Reports of research projects in which the applicant has participated,
• Other supporting material that the applicant wishes to submit for consideration,
• Statement of Previous Training and Preparation
• Statement of Purpose
• WES Evaluation
• Letter of Recommendation
• TOEFL/IELTS Scores
• Official Transcripts

Also Read: PhD at Columbia University: Courses Overview, Tuition Fees and Duration

If you are facing any financial hurdles in your pursuit of the University of Florida PhD program, then drop all your worries. The scholarships shown below can offer you immense financial support. 

Pursuing a University of Florida PhD program prepares you to thrive in all of your endeavours, be it academics, research or the professional world. Here are the popular job roles in the US you can expect to assume after completing your studies:

Relevant Reads:

Answer: The base nine-month stipend for incoming PhD students is USD 19,200.

Yes, pursuing a PhD in the US offers you highly rewarding career opportunities and immense career growth. 

Answer: Yes, you can apply for a H-1B visa to live and work in the United States after completing your PhD

So, this was all about the University of Florida PhD. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad .

Abhishek Kumar Jha

Abhishek Kumar Jha is a professional content writer and marketer, having extensive experience in delivering content in journalism and marketing. He has written news content related to education for prominent media outlets, garnering expansive knowledge of the Indian education landscape throughout his experience. Moreover, he is a skilled content marketer, with experience in writing SEO-friendly blogs. His educational background includes a Postgraduate Diploma in English Journalism from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal. By receiving an education from a top journalism school and working in the corporate world with complete devotion, he has honed the essential skills needed to excel in content writing.

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Community college bachelor’s degrees in florida, an update on enrollment and labor market outcomes.

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Tiffany thai, may 21, 2024, introduction.

In the late 1990s, Florida faced a significant challenge, ranking among the lowest states in producing baccalaureate degrees per capita . The traditional bachelor’s pathways provided by the state’s universities were insufficient in addressing mounting education and workforce needs. In response, Florida’s educational leaders and legislators sought innovative solutions to boost bachelor’s degree attainment rates, and in 2001, the state authorized its community colleges to confer bachelor’s degrees.

The primary objective of the Florida College System was twofold: first, to tackle the shortage of qualified professionals in critical fields like teaching and nursing; and second, to improve access to further education for nontraditional students. Community colleges tend to enroll a diverse student body , and expanding four-year degree programs to these institutions could be key in bridging gaps in education opportunities that often exist within public and private four-year institutions.

Florida’s community college bachelors (CCB) programs fulfilled a vital role by providing students with affordable and localized pathways to higher education, while also meeting the demands of industries requiring a highly skilled workforce. Community colleges opting to introduce baccalaureate programs undertook the responsibility of demonstrating a substantial “ workforce demand and unmet need ” for graduates of their proposed programs. This requirement ensured that each program was tied to the economic imperatives of the state and its local communities—a crucial consideration, given more severe labor shortages faced by the state.

Today, all 28 of Florida’s public community colleges offer at least one baccalaureate program, spanning disciplines from applied health sciences to digital media and elementary education. In our sample spanning 10 years of data, the system had awarded over 75,000 bachelor’s degrees.

As Florida approaches its third decade of CCB authorization, understanding the state’s CCB context can offer valuable insights as more states and institutions contemplate CCB adoption. This brief follows a 2020 report on Florida CCBs and aims to provide an updated look at enrollment and graduation trends within the state’s CCB programs. We examine demographic characteristics including race/ethnicity, age, and gender across program areas, culminating in an analysis of labor market outcomes.

Key Findings

• CCB students are considerably older than their university counterparts, since more than half of CCB graduates are over the age of 30. However, there are more younger students pursuing and earning their bachelor’s degree than before.
• Business is the most popular CCB program, enrolling over half of all CCB students. While few new nursing and computer science programs have emerged in recent years, there is a substantial trend of increasing enrollment and graduation rates in these fields.
• Students of color represent a growing share of CCB graduates, but more enrollment is needed to ensure that students in these programs more closely reflect Florida’s population. In particular, Latinx graduates remain underrepresented in CCB programs.
• Median wages three years after graduation are $51,520, with considerable variation by demographic group and area of study. CCB graduates are more likely to enter higher-paying sectors than bachelor’s degree holders from State University System of Florida (SUS) institutions. However, when comparing wages within similar areas of study, SUS graduates typically earn more, except in nursing.

Research Questions, Data, and Methods

CCBs are designed to serve as an educational access point for students, offering affordability while connecting them to in-demand careers. Given Florida’s long-standing CCB policy—one of the most expansive and oldest in the country—understanding some of the features of these programs can provide valuable insights into where the state is creating new pathways through these programs and where there is room for growth and improvement. Several questions guided this analysis:

• What are the demographics of Florida CCB students? In what areas of study are students enrolled?
• What are the demographic characteristics of Florida CCB graduates? In what areas of study do we find graduates?
• What are the employment and wage outcomes of Florida CCB graduates, and how do wages vary by demographic group?

To address these questions, we used aggregate data on CCB students and graduates from academic years 2011–2012 to 2021–2022 from the Florida Department of Education in response to our data request. These data include age group, gender, and race/ethnicity by area of study and year for enrolled students and these same demographic characteristics, as well as employment status and median wages by area of study and year, for CCB graduates. We used these data for a descriptive analysis. To contextualize Florida’s history of CCB policy and program development, we consulted the publicly available current list of available bachelor’s programs in the Florida College System. In the sections below, we offer a look at the landscape of bachelor’s programs at Florida community colleges and the students and graduates who have taken this route to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Sunshine State.

CCB Policies and Programs in Florida

In 2001, Florida became one of the first states to embrace CCBs when St. Petersburg College began offering bachelor’s degrees in nursing, education, and information sciences. Chipola College and Miami-Dade College followed suit, introducing their own education programs the following year. Because of the critical teaching shortage in Florida at the time, Figure 1 illustrates the concentration of the earliest CCB programs in education.

The next major shift in CCB policy came in 2008, when state legislation transformed the Florida Community College System into the Florida College System (FCS). This move aimed to maximize open access to associate and baccalaureate degrees because CCBs were lower cost than providing the degree at a State University System of Florida (SUS) institution. It also laid out a program approval process for new bachelor’s degree programs; while CCB programs must still meet the employment needs of Florida, they were no longer limited to proposals designed to meet regional workforce needs. This shift resulted in many new program offerings, ranging from environmental science to paralegal studies. In the first decade of Florida CCBs, 21 out of 28 FCS institutions offered a bachelor’s program.

However, the rapid CCB expansion has not been without challenges. CCBs have not avoided criticism of mission creep and program duplication with the state’s four-year colleges and universities. Legislation in 2012 narrowed the scope of FCS baccalaureate authority, leading to a slowdown in the creation of new programs, and in 2014 , a 14-month moratorium temporarily halted the submission and approval of new proposals. Despite these obstacles, FCS institutions continue to provide many baccalaureate options for its students. Today, all 28 of Florida’s public community colleges offer at least one bachelor’s program.

Examining CCB Enrollment

With 192 programs , Florida provides nearly 40,000 CCB students with the opportunity to study a range of disciplines. Figure 2 depicts the largest CCB programs by enrollment. Over 90 percent of all CCB students are enrolled in five program areas: business, nursing, computer science, education, and health professions. The most common program among Florida CCBs is business, with 25 out of 28 campuses offering a business degree. Almost half of all students (18,292) are enrolled in a business program. Nursing is the second largest program (5,733), closely followed by computer and information sciences (4,462). Although education enrolls fewer than 3,000 students, there has been a jump in the number of approved education programs in 2021, and it remains to be seen how enrollment is affected as these programs become more established.

Among CCB students, the share of white individuals, at 47 percent, is lower compared to the 52 percent observed in the overall Florida population . However, other racial and ethnic groups closely mirror the state demographics. Our data reported that 26 percent of students were Latinx and 18 percent were Black, which is within one percentage point of the state population. According to Figure 3, students of color constitute the majority in enrollment across the most popular programs, except in education, where 54 percent of students are white. This finding accords with an ongoing racial gap in the teaching profession, where 82 percent of education majors are white . Florida CCBs can play a crucial role in expanding education access points for underrepresented students in vital fields.

Across all areas of study, women make up 65 percent of CCB enrollment in Florida, surpassing the national average of 60 percent female enrollment for community colleges. As displayed in Figure 4, women are more likely to enroll in certain CCB programs than men, and this trend is pronounced in fields such as nursing, education, and health professions, which are historically female-dominated. In our previous Florida report, education produced so few male graduates that we were unable to conduct a gender analysis. However, male enrollment has since increased, although women still make up a staggering 90 percent of education enrollees. Conversely, there is a higher representation of male students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, with men constituting 74 percent of the student body in computer science and 81 percent in engineering and engineering technologies.

Community colleges tend to attract older learners , and CCB enrollment closely aligns with this trend, with three-fourths of the students in our sample aged 25 or older. Figure 5 breaks down enrollment by age group, which varies significantly across areas of study. Students enrolled in nursing, health professions, and social services tend to be older than their peers in other subjects. For instance, 62 percent of nursing students are over the age of 30, whereas 57 percent of education students are under the age of 30.

In 2020, the slight majority of prelicensure nursing program graduates nationally earned a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree ( 51 percent ). However, the associate degree was still the primary path into the profession for new Indigenous (62 percent), Black (59 percent), and Latinx (56 percent) nurses. Many employers continue to prefer nurses with baccalaureate-level preparation, and a bachelor’s degree may be needed for promotion or pay increases. Therefore, accessible RN-BSN programs are essential for nurses in these underrepresented groups to advance their careers. Similarly to nursing, evolving licensing requirements in social services may explain the older age of students. Unlike other states, Florida does not license social workers at the bachelor’s level , and students may choose to pursue their bachelor’s degree at a lower-cost community college to economize on their path to licensure.

Examining CCB Graduates

In 2021–2022, Florida College System (FCS) institutions enrolled 45,624 students and awarded 10,620 bachelor’s degrees . The number of students graduating with a baccalaureate degree from Florida’s community colleges has steadily increased each year, nearly tripling in a decade. Business produces the most bachelor’s degrees, shown in Figure 6, with over 4,700 students completing their program in 2021, although the share of business graduates (43 percent) has remained stable within one percentage point across all the years of data we examined.

Nursing produces one-fifth of all graduates and represents the second-largest number of graduates, reflecting Florida’s strong demand for nurses with baccalaureate-level preparation. At the same time, technology-related fields are also growing, with computer science graduates multiplying tenfold in less than a decade. There has been a decline in the number of education graduates in recent years, despite the expansion of education programs in recent years. While the latest data cover a large jump in CCB graduates across all programs, it occurred during the pandemic’s peak, and additional research is needed to see whether these enrollment trends persist.

Figure 7 shows a growing number of students of color graduating from CCB programs. Bachelor’s programs at Florida community colleges graduate a racially and ethnically diverse group of students. In the 2020–2021 academic year, less than half (49 percent) of bachelor’s graduates in our sample were white, compared to 57 percent of bachelor’s graduates nationally.

As we found in our 2020 brief , Latinx graduates continue to be underrepresented in CCB programs, making up 24 percent of graduates but 27 percent of Florida’s population . However, Figure 7 shows this difference has narrowed in recent years, coinciding with a nationwide increase in Latinx enrollment since the height of the pandemic. The share of Black (17 percent) and Asian or Pacific Islander (3 percent) CCB graduates has remained relatively stable, reflecting the state’s population. It is also worth noting that CCB programs graduate a smaller share of Latinx graduates but a larger share of Black graduates relative to baccalaureate graduates in the State University System (31 percent and 11 percent, respectively).

As Figure 8 shows, CCB programs tend to serve an older population of students. From 2020–2021, a majority of graduates (58 percent) were over the age of 30. However, there has been a consistent decline in this demographic’s share of graduates each year.

In fact, more younger students are graduating from CCB programs . This shift became evident from 2018–2019 onward, when we observed a steady increase in the number of graduates under 25 years old. While the primary mission of FCS institutions has traditionally been to provide associate degrees as a pathway to university education, it appears that young students are increasingly viewing CCB programs as a viable option for obtaining their bachelor’s degree.

Figure 9 illustrates the fluctuation in the share of male graduates over the last decade. The peak of male graduates occurred in 2016–2017, reaching 34 percent. While this percentage has decreased in subsequent years, it still surpasses the figures observed in the earliest years of data. Overall, bachelor’s degree holders across FCS and SUS institutions are more likely to be female, however, FCS baccalaureate graduates, at 67 percent, have an even higher proportion of female students compared to SUS graduates, at 59 percent .

CCB Graduate Outcomes

In our sample, 78 percent of graduates were found to be employed one year after graduation, a decrease from the 83 percent we observed in previous years. Despite this dip, the rate surpasses the employment outcomes typically reported for associate degree holders in Florida, which stands at approximately 70 percent , though employment data does not include self-employed individuals, federal employees, individuals residing near state borders working outside Florida, and those who relocated from Florida after graduation.

When breaking down employment or further education rates by area of study and race, we found differences that were less stark than those observed in our last analyses. In Figure 10, variations remained within a few percentage points. The largest outcome gap was in law enforcement, where Latinx graduates fared worse than their Black and white peers. Meanwhile, Latinx graduates in business, computer science, and public administration outperformed their peers. Nursing and education programs demonstrated the most successful employment or further education rates. This trend aligns with Florida’s increased credential expectations in early childhood education and nursing. It could be that these are incumbent employees wanting to maintain their positions or advance their careers.

Among all bachelor’s degree holders, FCS graduates outperformed their counterparts from SUS institutions. The median wages one year after graduation are $51,520 for FCS graduates and $46,500 for SUS graduates. Limitations in SUS data prevent wage comparisons beyond the first year, but breaking down earnings by sector helps put these numbers into context. Florida legislation mandates that CCB programs address critical workforce needs, with most programs concentrating on high-demand careers such as nursing or computer science. This requirement does not apply to SUS institutions, where programs span a wide array of disciplines. As a result, CCB graduates are more likely to enter career pathways that typically offer higher salaries.

When comparing the annual median salaries of FCS and SUS bachelor’s graduates in the same fields, we found that most SUS graduates initially outearn FCS graduates. Nursing, however, stands out as an exception, as depicted in Figure 11. A possible explanation is that all BSN programs in the FCS are RN-BSN programs and only available to already licensed nurses. In this context, FCS nursing students are often older and typically have more prior professional experience compared to their counterparts in SUS institutions.

Figure 12 presents the median wages three years postbaccalaureate for the most recent data available. Analyzing data at the three-year mark provides more time for CCB graduates to secure employment, gain experience, and advance in their careers. The median wage for 2019 CCB graduates after three years stands at $58,008. Again, nursing graduates earned more than their peers with a median wage of $82,148. For context, the median wage for registered nurses in Florida was $81,220 in 2022.

We also discovered substantial wage disparities across demographic groups, shown in Figure 13. When considering race/ethnicity, it is evident that Latinx graduates achieved the highest median wage, at $59,864, closely followed by white graduates, at $58,880. Black graduates earned the lowest median wage, at $52,500. The high concentration of Latinx students in urban counties such as Miami-Dade and Broward likely contributes to the higher median wages for Latinx CCB grads. However, these areas also come with higher living expenses, so it is difficult to know the implications of these findings for individuals from different racial/ethnic backgrounds in their ability to attain a family-sustaining wage.

Figure 13 also highlights large wage differences across age groups. Graduates aged 40 and older had by far the highest median wage, at $67,084. This figure is striking, given that the median household income for the state is just under $68,000 . Conversely, younger graduates aged 20–24 and 25–29 earned lower median wages, at $49,960 and $48,728, respectively. These figures place younger graduates only just above the living wage for Floridians with no dependents, which is estimated at $46,645 before taxes.

Figure 14 shows a persistent gender wage gap among CCB graduates in Florida, with male graduates earning higher median wages than their female counterparts, although this difference is not as substantial as age and racial gaps. Black women face the lowest wage outcomes, with an $8,000 difference between them and female Latinx graduates, and a $12,000 difference separating them from Latinx men.

Figure 15 reveals that Latinx graduates generally earn higher wages than their Black and white peers across most sectors, marking a shift from our findings in 2020. However, there is an exception in public administration and law enforcement, where Latinx graduates earn less. Conversely, Black graduates tend to earn lower wages across most fields, except for nursing, where they outearn their white counterparts, and social services, where they surpass Latinx graduates. Further research is needed to examine the differential earnings across areas of study and racial groups.

With 24 states currently authorizing CCB programs , Florida stands out not only for its extensive history in CCB programs but also for the sheer number of CCB programs it offers. In 2021, Florida CCBs conferred nearly 11,000 bachelor’s degrees, something that was nearly unheard of when Florida first authorized a few colleges to offer these degrees in the early 2000s. In the third decade of CCB programs, Florida’s 28 colleges can continue providing affordable, local access to bachelor’s degrees, opening up new economic opportunities for graduates. The welcome that community colleges have always extended to students who are working, older, and racially and ethnically diverse positions them well to increase bachelor’s degree attainment for these frequently underserved demographic groups and support their progress toward further education. While there is plenty of room to grow, for now, the future of CCBs looks bright in the Sunshine State.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to many colleagues who made this work possible. We thank our New America colleagues Iris Palmer, Sabrina Detlef, Katie Portnoy, Natalya Brill, Mandy Dean, Zoe Reier, and Naomi Morduch Toubman for their support throughout the writing and publication process. We are honored and grateful to have the financial support of the Ascendium Education Group to carry out this work, and we are especially thankful to our program officer, Sue Cui. We thank the Florida Department of Education, especially Jeremy Katz, for handling our data request so thoughtfully.