English PhD

Prepare for a career in academia that focuses on literary theory and criticism with the Doctor of Philosophy in English in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. The curriculum integrates foundational and advanced coursework with rigorous independent research so you gain the expertise to pursue tenure-track positions at colleges and universities.

You can choose to focus in one or two specific areas of study, each of which serves to prepare you for high-level teaching and research roles. Areas of study include

• American literature,

• British literature,

• critical and cultural theories,

• ethnic and African American literature,

• gender and sexuality,

• literature and visual studies,

• poetry and poetics, and

• postcolonial and global literature.

Foundational courses in English literature provide the broad background needed to undergo independent research, while advanced graduate classes engage with cutting-edge faculty research and publication projects.