PhD in English in Boston United States | Northeastern University

The Doctor of Philosophy in English program prepares students to become accomplished scholars and educators in literature, writing, and rhetoric. The curriculum starts with comprehensive coursework that provides a broad foundation in the discipline while paving the way for specialized research. Through the Comprehensive Exam, students deepen their knowledge in three study areas connected to their chosen specialization. Under the guidance of their dissertation director and committee, students complete an original research project that marks their initiation into academic scholarship.
Graduates of the English Ph.D. program gain the ability to:
Utilize primary and secondary sources to examine scholarly discussions and perspectives within English subfields.
Develop specialized knowledge in the theories, methodologies, and socio-cultural histories of three English study areas relevant to their research and teaching goals.
Construct and substantiate innovative, academically significant arguments, presenting them effectively through appropriate scholarly formats (such as research articles, conference talks, or digital initiatives).

Our program boasts strong job placement rates for graduates pursuing both regional and national opportunities. Alumni have secured tenure-track faculty positions at numerous four-year institutions worldwide, including: Columbia College (Chicago), Florida Institute of Technology, Franklin Pierce University, McKendree University, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Middle Tennessee State University, Norway's National Technical University, Oberlin College, Missouri's Park University, Providence College, Sterling College, Rhode Island College, Georgia's Wesleyan College, and the University of Puerto Rico. Additional full-time appointments include English department and writing program positions at the American University of Dubai, MIT, University of Southern California, and Boston's Wheelock College. Two-year college tenure-track placements include Bristol Community College, Queensborough Community College, and Quincy College.