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Doctoral Program in English

The Ph.D. program affords students close professional contact with and guidance from a diverse graduate faculty distinguished in its commitment to both teaching and research.

All doctorates in English have a foundation in studies of British and American language and literature, thus Ph.D. students receive a broad education in the discipline that prepares them to teach effectively at any college level and provides the background for advanced research in their areas of particular expertise.

With the help of faculty mentors, students have the flexibility to fashion a course of study, comprehensive examinations, and dissertation research both in these concentrations and in specialized areas such as Critical Theory, Africana Literature, Southern Literary Studies, Feminist Theory and Criticism, and Children's Literature.

The Ph.D. requires a total of 75 hours, split between coursework (51) and dissertation research (24). Course requirements for Ph.D. candidates vary with each individual’s chosen concentration in creative writing, English and American literature, folklore, linguistics, rhetoric and composition. For the most part, these requirements aim to provide a generalist education, the flexibility needed for each candidate’s concentration and research interests, and preparation for the Ph.D. comprehensive examinations. Before taking comprehensive exams, Ph.D. candidates must fulfill these course requirements and demonstrate reading proficiency in two foreign languages or fluency in one.

Degree Requirements

See the University Catalog for the degree requirements for all concentrations of the Ph.D. in English.

Assistantships Available

Resources and Links

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Application Information

All application materials should be uploaded into the Graduate School Admissions website with your application.

Applicants to the doctoral program in English should normally possess an M.A., MFA, or equivalent degree in English literature or a closely allied field. Applicants must submit the following materials to the Graduate School.

Application Materials Required

Materials require of all applicants to the Graduate School:

  • online Graduate School application
  • assistantship and/or fellowship application (if applying for funding, downloadable on the Graduate School site)
  • undergraduate and graduate transcripts for all schools attended, testifying to solid academic preparation for advanced work
  • three letters of recommendation (preferably academic)

Additional materials required by the English Department:

  • Statement of Purpose mentioning your chosen concentration (1-2 pages)
  • Curriculum Vitae with relevant academic and professional experience
  • Critical Writing Sample with academic works cited page (10-20 pages)
  • Creative writing concentraiton only: Creative Writing Sample (15-20 pages) – In addition to the critical writing sample, candidates interested in the Creative Writing concentration must also provide a creative writing sample. The genre of the piece should reflect your intended focus area; specify one of fiction, poetry, drama, or creative non-fiction.
  • GRE scores are optional, but not required.

Applicants should not use generative AI in the development of their application materials.

All materials must be submitted to the Graduate School.

Application Deadlines

Priority review for admissions and assistantship decisions for the fall semester are due by January 15.

Applications for admission and assistantships for the spring semester are due by October 1.

For those not seeking financial support, applications and supporting documents must be submitted at least 30 days before the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought, and at least 90 days for applications from foreign countries. The Graduate School will notify applicants of its decision after receiving all required credentials. The department will notify applicants of assistantship and fellowship decisions.

Contact

For more information or questions about the application, contact:

Incoming Students

Dr. Laurel Ryan
Griffin Hall 229
E-mail: englgrad@louisiana.edu

Current Students

Dr. David Squires
Griffin Hall 353
Email: david.squires@louisiana.edu


Griffin Hall, Room 246
Phone: 337-482-6919
Email: englgrad@louisiana.edu