Most Ph.D. in Literature programs require students to work as teaching assistants. Serving as a teaching assistant will require their regular presence on-campus, making long-distance learning impossible. As such, a Doctor in Literature degree is unavailable for individuals who wish to earn it online.
Most applications oblige students to lodge a formal request, usually with the accompaniment of published works such as those concerning their work in major companies, peer-reviewed serials, and unpublished reports approved by the Senate.
These publications will be examined by national and international experts. Many universities also require a master’s degree in Literature for admission.
Ph.D. in Literature candidates are commonly given two choices for their area of concentration, a particular genre, or a period. Usually, the program requires students to produce and defend a dissertation.
Since a doctorate is not just a run-on from a master’s degree, candidates can expect a more rigorous learning process and more extensive training in English literature as a discipline. It takes genuine effort to make a societal contribution through the connection and understanding afforded by the world of literature.
Best Doctor in Literature Degree Programs
YALE UNIVERSITY
COMBINED DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
School Highlights: At one of the country’s most superlative and incomparable institutions of higher education, which, beyond its fabulous international reputation, can be measured by the astoundingly high graduation and retention rates listed below, students earn their terminal degree through an intricately designed combined doctoral program in Classics, Renaissance Studies, and Film and Media Studies.
Yale University students also work alongside professors and cohort members in the multilingual literature departments and work in languages such as Italian, Arabic, and Romance Languages.
Research Areas:
- Classics
- Renaissance Studies
- Film and Media Studies
Campus Location: New Haven, CT
Accreditation:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
Acceptance Rate: 5% Retention Rate: 98% Graduation Rate: 97%
LEARN MORE ABOUT YALE UNIVERSITY’S COMBINED DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
PH.D. PROGRAM IN ENGLISH
School Highlights: Another of America’s finest universities, UC Berkeley provides a Graduate Study in English, Ph.D. program that is wide-ranging and historically all-encompassing. Students engage in a huge curriculum that spans from Medieval literature through the 20th century and beyond.
There are concentrations available surrounding British and American authors, Anglophone literature, and cultural and critical theory as it applies to students’ particular specializations.
The program ensures a tremendously broad knowledge of literature as well as exceedingly well-developed skills in criticism and scholarship necessary to create innovative works in specialized fields.
Coursework Sample:
- Problems in the Study of Literature
- Medieval through 16th-Century
- 17th- through 18th-Century
Campus Location: Berkeley, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Acceptance Rate: 11% Retention Rate: 96% Graduation Rate: 93%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY’S PH.D. PROGRAM IN ENGLISH
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH LITERATURE
School Highlights: The University of Chicago is a phenomenal school, and it is represented quite clearly through the outstanding percentage rates listed below. A 99% retention rate puts the University of Chicago in the running for the most successful school in the United States where students are tremendously successful.
The Ph.D. in English Literature is a massively well-respected doctoral program that emphasizes four key curricular components:
- teaching,
- coursework,
- exams,
- and dissertation.
This fabulous institution of higher education also provides a unique opportunity for students to earn a second doctorate through the Joint Ph.D. in Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS). Along this pathway, students complement their degree in English Literature with artistic and academic works in theater.
Coursework Sample:
- Research Paper Proseminar
- Pedagogy Course
- Dissertation
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate: 5% Retention Rate: 99% Graduation Rate: 95%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’S DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN LITERATURE
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH
School Highlights: Stanford University is the kind of school with a name that speaks for itself. It is known across the globe that this school is absolutely top-tier and provides only the highest quality educational resources and programs.
The Doctor of Philosophy in English includes two concentration options that take students to significantly different areas of literature:
- American Literature
- and British Literature.
Stanford also offers a Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature designed for students seeking an even greater depth of knowledge and supplies access to more extensive opportunities. Either way, doctoral students graduate as seasoned experts steeped in literature.
Concentration Options:
- British Literature
- American Literature
Campus Location: Stanford, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Acceptance Rate: 4% Retention Rate: 98% Graduation Rate: 94%
LEARN MORE ABOUT STANFORD UNIVERSITY’S PH.D. IN ENGLISH
BROWN UNIVERSITY
PH.D. IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
School Highlights: Brown University is one of the most exceptional schools in America, where students become top leaders in their fields. The Doctor of Philosophy program in Comparative Literature supplies numerous areas of concentration, all of which are quite broad, allowing students to personalize the doctoral curriculum to meet their individual academic and professional goals.
Coursework and research are instructed by world-famous faculty members who bring an astonishingly wide array of information and skills to the classroom. It is guaranteed that students will meet the highest levels of respect and ability after graduating from this internationally acclaimed higher education institution.
Concentration Options:
- Literature and Culture
- Periods
- Genres
- History
- Criticism
- Theory
Campus Location: Providence, RI
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate: 6% Retention Rate: 98% Graduation Rate: 96%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BROWN UNIVERSITY’S PH.D. IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Doctorate of Literature degree program?
In a Doctorate of Literature degree program, students are equipped with in-depth knowledge of literature and literary criticism. It lets them explore different approaches to literary study in different periods, preparing them for their advanced individualized research and specialization later on.
The courses range from comparative literature, interpretation, and early literary forms to advanced literary criticism, modern thought, and cultural studies, among many others. Some schools give students a choice among several specializations, such as:
- Medieval literature,
- Ancient Roman & Greek literature,
- and Victorian literature.
Since the program requires the study of foreign literature, most Ph.D. in Literature students must be fluent in one foreign language. Disciplines like linguistics, literary conventions, and various research methods are also tackled throughout the program.
Do I need a doctorate in Literature to practice as a professional?
It is still possible to build a career without earning a Doctorate in Literature. However, Ph.D. in Literature holders have an edge when it comes to salary and compensation. The fact is, holding any doctoral degree can help one earn more than those with a master’s degree under their belt.
Doctorate degrees are often considered terminal degrees—the highest formal degree that can enhance your resume and move your career further. It can undoubtedly guarantee male Ph.D. holders a 26% higher salary than those who choose not to. That is according to Bernard Casey whose published study explored the economic contribution of Ph.D.’s.
Since Ph.D. in Literature programs have writing and intensive research in their curriculum, this type of degree gives students the advantage when it comes to industries that require mastery of the language, like the academe, media, and press relations.
How do I earn my Doctor of Literature degree?
Application for admission to the Doctorate in Literature degree usually has prerequisites in the form of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Literature or related field.
On top of that, students are asked to submit a proposal for a plan of study, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and sometimes, even sample works showcasing their analytical writing.
Other schools roll out an examination for students at the start of the program to determine their preparedness and ability to complete the course. It is important for students to develop their research skills early on and extend their knowledge of English Literature.
Typically, it can take 4 to 5 years for Ph.D. in Literature students to complete the degree, after they have successfully produced and defended their original dissertation. The dissertation entails a rigorous process that can span two to three years, compelling students to work closely with their faculty advisor who serves as their mentor for such an important endeavor.
What career paths do Doctorate in Literature holders take?
Many Doctorates in Literature build their career in the academe with the obvious post as professor of literature in a university or college. According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, postsecondary teachers in literature have a median salary of $75,930.
However, the field of literature branches out to related industries as well, with popular career choices in publishing and research companies. With a Ph.D. in Literature, graduates can become:
- literary critics,
- literary agents,
- authors,
- academic consultants,
- publishers,
- or editors.
What salary range can I expect with my doctorate in Literature degree?
Those who hold a doctorate in Literature can expect an average salary of $83,130. The highest-paying position is that of an editor with an average of $84,820 a year. Higher Education professors can earn as much as $80,840 while an adjunct professor has an average salary of $80,560.
English Literature professors have a mastery of the language as well as skills in understanding English prose, poetry, and drama. They design and develop the curriculum and guide students who pursue individual literary interests.
The state where Ph.D. in Literature holders are mostly employed is in New York where English literature professors can earn an average of $63,548 a year.
What schools offer online and traditional Doctor of Literature programs?
Although some schools may offer a few courses online, classroom presence is a must because of the nature of the degree program. As of now, a doctorate in literature is not yet available in an online format.
One can take up a Ph.D. in Literature from some of the country’s best universities, including Yale University, University of California–Berkeley, University of Chicago, Stanford University, and Brown University, among many others.
The doctorate in literature degree program holds a myriad of opportunities for students who wish to further their learning, advance their careers, and come to a deeper understanding of literature and its many literary forms.
The knowledge they gain and the critical thinking skills that go along with it can help shape the minds of future generations as Ph.D. in Literature holders enter the academic world and other influential industries. This degree program can pave the way for a lucrative and fulfilling career path.
