PhD in Comparative Literature in West Lafayette United States | Purdue University

The Comparative Literature program awards both Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees, enabling students to explore diverse literatures and cultures through comparative and interdisciplinary lenses. Participants engage with faculty across multiple language departments, including English and various world languages, while exploring critical theories, literary works, and specialized subjects. The program features faculty expertise spanning the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as Philosophy, Rhetorical Theory, and Women's Studies. Cross-disciplinary coursework throughout the College of Liberal Arts is encouraged to deepen students' specialization. Our international graduate community represents diverse historical periods and theoretical perspectives. Purdue's program particularly emphasizes transnational, cross-linguistic, and transhistorical studies, including Medieval, Renaissance, Postcolonial, and Global approaches. Collaborative seminars with English and Languages departments complement the curriculum, with course specifics available online. Generous funding opportunities support graduate scholars. As an Indiana-recognized degree program, Comparative Literature maintains independent admissions through Purdue's Graduate School.