English (Literature), PhD
Build research skills to analyze literary and cultural works that span history, geography and theory. With collaborative mentoring, courses that sharpen your critical thinking, and internships that connect to your interests, you prepare for a wide range of careers in English.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
English, PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in English with a concentration in literature trains you in the methodologies, pedagogies and areas of inquiry that constitute literary and cultural studies. With a distinguished faculty who cover a robust variety of expertises, the program offers you opportunities for specialization in literary criticism, cultural analysis, theory and various fields of interdisciplinary study. You graduate with a range of highly sought-after skills and competencies: research and analysis of complex material, communication in written and oral modes, collaboration, independence and self-motivation, creativity and adaptability.
Why specialize in literature at ASU?
This doctoral concentration lets you pursue interdisciplinary areas of study, including environmental humanities, border studies, pre-modern critical race theory, medieval and Renaissance studies and public humanities. You can shape a course of study around literary criticism, cultural analysis and theory.
The Department of English faculty is internationally recognized for research and teaching that explores expression of the English language and its literatures around the globe while staying connected to the local. You study with respected scholars such as Joni Adamson, Sir Jonathan Bate, Devoney Looser and Ayanna Thompson.
You also find strong support for professional growth in literary and cultural studies. Department-sponsored writing and reading groups, funded research internships each spring, graduate certificates in areas like critical theory and medieval studies, an internships and career program and the ACMRS Press give you hands-on ways to build your expertise.
Additional details
As a graduate student, you can take part in the Graduate Scholars of English Association, the official organization representing graduate students in the Department of English. You also have access to an online portal with mentoring workshops, event updates, faculty expertise, announcements and upcoming graduate classes.
The Humanities Institute, directed by a member of the literature faculty, hosts more than 30 accessible events each semester and brings international leaders to ASU, with recordings archived online. You can join Writing Accountability Workshops, usually held in the summer, to keep your projects on track alongside your peers. The Professor in Your Neighborhood series brings faculty and sometimes their students into community settings to discuss topics of public interest.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (3 credit hours) Concentration (12 credit hours) Pedagogies and Practices (3 credit hours) Language and Linguistics (3 credit hours) Restricted Electives (12 credit hours) Electives and Research (39 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The restricted electives include four courses which students can choose from an approved list of literary and cultural studies. Theses courses may be substituted with advisor approval.
ENG 501 Approaches to Research (3)
ENG 588 Writing for Publication (3)
ENG 601 Job Market Workshop: Designing Your Future (3)
ENG 605 Advanced Contemporary Approaches to Literary and Cultural Studies (3)
ENG 790 Reading and Conference (3)
ENG 555 Literary and Cultural Pedagogies (3)
ENG 580 Practicum (3)
ENG 604 Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies (3)
ENG 784 Internship (3)
ENG 530 Old English (3)
ENG 532 Middle English Dialects (3)
ENG 550 Translation (3)
LIN 517 History of the English Language (3)
a 400-level course in an approved language (3)
an approved 500-level LIN course (3)
an approved graduate-level SILC course (3)
ENG 799 Dissertation (12)
When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. Students who do not hold a master's degree are required to take additional elective and research credit hours to reach the 84 credit hours required for this program.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Identify and evaluate various disciplinary arguments, trends, traditions and debates within the knowledge community of literary and cultural studies scholars.
- Analyze scholarly debates and developments in selected subfields of literary studies.
- Produce arguments about the historical and cultural meanings of texts informed by primary research.
Identify and evaluate various disciplinary arguments, trends, traditions and debates within the knowledge community of literary and cultural studies scholars.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The well-considered, one- to two-page, single-spaced statement of purpose should explain the applicant's scholarly background and training, career goals, proposed research specialization, any secondary field of interest and why the applicant wishes to pursue a PhD in English with a concentration in literature at Arizona State University. Applicants applying for funding must also submit a statement of teaching philosophy.
An applicant whose native language is not English and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency, regardless of current residency. Official scores must be sent to ASU in order for the application to be processed.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this literature concentration prepares you for
Graduates are prepared for careers in higher education and other fields that value this expertise. Sectors employing high numbers of arts and humanities graduates include information and communication, financial and insurance, public administration and defense, arts and entertainment, and education.
Career examples include:
- archivist, curator or exhibit designer
- consultant or lobbyist
- educator
- higher education administrator
- librarian or rare books curator
- market research analyst
- nonprofit program director
- project manager
- public relations specialist or manager
- publisher, writer or editor copywriter
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of English
|
RBHL 170
enggrad@asu.edu
480-965-3168
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
