PhD in English - Literature, Media, and Cultural Studies in Tallahassee United States | Florida State University

The National Research Council ranks FSU's English Department as one of the nation's premier PhD-granting programs in English. Our globally renowned faculty, celebrated for their innovative research and publications, deliver diverse courses spanning literary disciplines, genres, and media formats. Students encounter thought-provoking inquiries that fuel academic discourse and creative expression, examining literature's societal and political influences. We collectively investigate literature's rich historical contexts, cultural dimensions, and philosophical/geographical developments.
Our distinguished History of Text Technologies Program (HoTT) bridges traditional book history with digital humanities, revealing how textual evolution mirrors broader human cultural development - shaping thought processes, knowledge systems, and lived experiences. Beyond HoTT, we pioneer academic exploration through other prestigious initiatives. Faculty and students conduct groundbreaking research across eras, from medieval texts to Renaissance theater to modern American poetry. Our expanding film and media studies program reflects our commitment to academic innovation.
The English Graduate Program provides M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. degrees. M.A. candidates choose between two concentrations: (1) Literature, Media, and Culture or (2) Rhetoric and Composition. M.F.A. students focus on Creative Writing. Literature, Media, and Culture M.A. students complete the Professional Writing Capstone (ENG 5971) - see Graduate Handbook for details. Rhetoric and Composition students may submit a thesis or portfolio. Creative Writing candidates develop original works for their thesis. Ph.D. candidates fulfill core requirements in literature, linguistics, and theory before undertaking comprehensive exams and dissertation research in specialized areas including Medieval/Early Modern British Studies, British/Irish Literature (1660-1900), Modern Literature (post-1900), American Literature (pre-1900), African-American Studies, Text Technologies, Gender/Sexuality Studies, Postcolonial/Transnational Studies, and Publishing.