English

The Princeton University English program offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum designed to cultivate students' critical thinking, analytical skills, and deep appreciation for literature and language. Through a diverse range of courses, students explore the rich traditions of English and American literature, from the earliest texts to contemporary works, fostering an understanding of cultural, historical, and social contexts. The program encourages close reading, textual analysis, and innovative writing, enabling students to develop their interpretative abilities and expressive skills. Students have the opportunity to engage with various genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and nonfiction, as well as to study linguistic structures and literary theory. The faculty comprises renowned scholars dedicated to mentorship and fostering intellectual growth. In addition to coursework, students are encouraged to participate in seminars, writing workshops, and independent research projects, which enhance their academic experience and prepare them for careers in journalism, publishing, education, law, or graduate study. The department also promotes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from history, philosophy, and the social sciences to enrich understanding of texts. Princeton’s emphasizing of close reading and original thought equips students to become thoughtful, articulate individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to society. The program aims to develop not only literary knowledge but also skills in argumentation, communication, and critical reflection. Graduates of the English program at Princeton are well-prepared for advanced study or professional paths that benefit from strong literacy, analytical, and creative capabilities, making the program a prestigious choice for those passionate about literature and language.

Courses:

The graduate program in English is a five-year program (with multiple opportunties for funding in year six, as necessary) leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). During the first two years, students prepare for the general examination through work in seminars and directed or independent reading.

Each entering student is assigned a faculty adviser who works with the director of graduate studies in planning course selection in the first and second years.

The major work of the first two years should reinforce the student’s general knowledge of English and American literature. During the second year, students also begin intensive work in their special fields of interest, which may include a historical period, a genre, or literary theory and criticism. Students choose their courses at the beginning of each term with the aid of the departmental director of graduate studies. While programs are flexible, students normally enroll in three seminars each term to complete the required 12 courses by the end of the second year.

Language(s):

Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of two foreign languages as soon as possible after enrollment. The languages normally recommended are French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, and Spanish, but other languages relevant to a student’s program of research may be substituted with the approval of the director of graduate studies. The language requirement must be satisfied before the completion of the general examination.

General Exam:

The general examination, taken in October of the third year, is the main qualifying examination for the Ph.D. The purpose of this examination is to prepare students to present themselves as strong job candidates with wide-ranging knowledge of two or more fields. The examination committee consists of three faculty members, who assist the student in preparing a reading list for the examination. Students elect to be examined on either two major fields, or one major and two minor fields. They also decide, in consultation with their examination committee, which examination format is most appropriate for them: an eight-hour written examination, or a two-hour oral examination.

Qualifying for the M.A.:

Students normally qualify for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree on the way to the Ph.D. by completing the general examination. Students who leave the Ph.D. program for various reasons may also be awarded the M.A. by satisfactorily completing all required course work, the course distribution requirement, and the language requirement.

Teaching:

All graduate students who have passed the general examination are required to teach in undergraduate courses as part of their preparation. While the minimum department requirement is four hours, most students teach more than this. The department offers many opportunities for teaching experience in conjunction with its large and popular undergraduate program. Students may teach in the writing program, conduct sections of large lecture courses, or direct precepts in upper-division courses. This teaching is supervised by experienced members of the faculty. The department and University also offer, on an annual basis, teacher training seminars.

Post-Generals Requirement(s):

The third, fourth, and fifth years are devoted to teaching in undergraduate courses and to the writing of the dissertation. Through numerous funding opportunities, we are able to offer sixth-year students who require it generous support with time off from teaching to complete their dissertation and go on the academic job market or pursue another career trajectory of their choosing. Students are strongly encouraged to continue taking courses in the third year and beyond, both in the English department and in related departments such as comparative literature. After completing the general examination, all students participate in a dissertation seminar led by a faculty member in which they write a thesis proposal. This dissertation proposal becomes the basis of a one-hour oral examination, after which students continue to work on the dissertation with the guidance of their faculty advisers.  Upon successful submission of the dissertation proposal but no later than the beginning of the fourth year, each student chooses three department faculty members who will serve as their dissertation advisers.

Dissertation and FPO:

A final public oral examination is given after each candidate’s dissertation has been read and approved by their dissertation faculty advisers. The examination has two parts. The first consists of a 30-minute lecture on the dissertation to cover the following topics: a justification of the subject treated; an account of possible methods of treating the subject and a justification of the method chosen; an account of any new contributions made; and a consideration of the possibility of future studies of the same kind, including an account of plans for future scholarship and publication. During the second part of the examination, the student answers a series of questions growing out of subjects presented in the lecture and sometimes relating to the teaching of literary material dealt with in the dissertation.

• Statement of Academic Purpose
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Recommendation Letters
• Transcripts
• Fall Semester Grades
• Prerequisite Tests
• English Language Tests
• Application Fee: $90
• GRE : General and English Subject tests

Additional Departmental Requirements: 

• Sample of critical writing, approximately 25 pages in length, preferably in the student’s proposed field of study. This sample must be a sustained piece of writing, not the total of several smaller works, and can be an excerpt from a larger work.

For Ph.D. candidates, tuition and fees during a student’s regular period of enrollment are provided in full from a student’s graduate student financial support, in the form of tuition support from fellowships, assistantships, or external sources.

The annual stipend amount provided to Ph.D. candidates during their regular enrollment is intended to support a single graduate student based on estimated costs. Master’s students or students with spouses and/or dependents may require additional resources to support their living expenses 

The Princeton University English program offers an in-depth exploration of literature in the English language, focusing on the analysis of texts from various periods and genres. Students engage with foundational works of literature, alongside contemporary writings, to develop critical thinking, interpretative skills, and a nuanced understanding of literary history and theory. The program encourages active discussion, close reading, and research-based projects to cultivate intellectual curiosity and scholarly rigor. Courses cover a broad spectrum, including medieval, renaissance, modern, and postmodern literature, as well as poetry, drama, and fiction. Students have opportunities to specialize in particular periods or themes, contributing to a personalized academic experience. The program often integrates interdisciplinary approaches, connecting literature with history, philosophy, and cultural studies to foster comprehensive insights into texts and their contexts. Students are supported by distinguished faculty members renowned for their expertise across diverse fields of English studies. The curriculum emphasizes developing strong writing skills alongside literary analysis, preparing graduates for careers in academia, publishing, media, education, and other fields requiring critical analysis and communication skills. Princeton's literature program also promotes participation in seminars, colloquia, and research projects, encouraging active engagement with both primary texts and current academic debates. The department offers resources such as libraries and archival materials to support advanced research projects. Graduates of the program typically pursue further study at the graduate level or enter professional fields that value analytical and communication skills honed through the study of literature. Overall, the Princeton English program aims to produce well-rounded, thoughtful graduates equipped to analyze complex texts and contribute thoughtfully to cultural and intellectual conversations.