English Language and Literature

The Department of English offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees; particular strengths of the department include early British literature, especially that of the Renaissance; American literature; literature of the African diaspora;postcolonial and transnational literary studies; digital humanities; feminist theory and gender studies; and composition and rhetoric.

The Department also offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing (See listing for Creative Writing).
Most students enrolled in graduate programs in English Language and Literature seek employment in higher education, but many also seek non-academic employment in publishing, business and technical writing, administration, and personnel management. To assist with placement, the department has a Placement Director and the university has a Career Development Center.

Courses:

• Readings in the History of Rhetoric to 1900
• Seminar in Composition Theory
• Readings in Linguistics
• Technologies of Writing
• Readings in Digital Studies
• Topics in Language Study

Application RequirementsGRE General required3 Letters of Recommendation from current or former teachersUnofficial list of relevant courseworkOfficial transcripts from all schools attendedA single critical writing sample (12-20 pages)International Applicants seeking admission under F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas, as well as those seeking admissions under A,E,G,H,I and L visas and immigrants.Domestic Applicants; US Citizens and Permanent Residents. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL iBT® test: 100

The English Department, in conjunction with the College of Arts and Humanities and the Graduate School, awards a small number of fellowships to exceptional PhD candidates. The English Department also awards teaching assistantships, the primary form of financial aid.