PhD in English in Cincinnati United States | University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati provides a PhD program in English with specializations in Literary and Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, and Rhetoric & Composition. The English Department, which publishes The Cincinnati Review, benefits from funding by the Elliston Poetry Foundation, The Schiff Foundation for Fiction, and the Helen Weinberger Center for Drama and Playwriting.

All doctoral courses follow seminar or workshop formats, led by the department's most engaged scholars and published authors. The program is enriched by guest lecturers from the Taft Center for the Humanities and an exceptional roster of visiting creative writers.

While focusing on modern and contemporary literature, the doctoral program maintains expertise across diverse periods and disciplines. The literature curriculum emphasizes theoretical approaches and cultural connections in writing. UC pioneered the creative dissertation option, combining original fiction, poetry, or nonfiction with critical analysis. Graduates demonstrate impressive publication records and successful career placements.

Nearly all accepted PhD candidates qualify for departmental funding through scholarships or assistantships. Graduate assistants typically teach one class per semester, receiving comprehensive training in composition instruction along with subject-specific teaching opportunities in their areas of specialization.