St. John's University

What you'll study

The doctoral programme combines rigorous coursework, comprehensive examinations, pedagogical training and an independent dissertation. Early-stage study typically includes seminars in literary history (British, American and global literatures), critical theory, and advanced approaches to language and rhetoric. Students take research-methods modules that cover archival research, digital humanities methods, and contemporary theoretical frameworks.

• Seminars on major periods and genres (e.g. Renaissance, eighteenth and nineteenth-century prose and poetry, modernism, postcolonial and contemporary literatures)
• Advanced theory and criticism (critical theory, cultural studies, gender and sexuality studies, race and ethnicity studies)
• Language and rhetoric (sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, historical linguistics as relevant to literary texts)
• Research skills (archival techniques, bibliographic methods, digital methods in textual scholarship)
• Professional development and pedagogy (teaching practicum, syllabus design, assessment methods)
• Comprehensive exams leading to advancement to candidacy and a doctoral dissertation based on original research

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a master's degree in English, literature, or a closely related field, with a record of strong academic performance. Successful candidates present a clear research proposal or statement of scholarly interests, a substantial writing sample (such as a seminar paper or thesis chapter), and academic references that can speak to research potential and preparation for doctoral work.

• Academic transcript demonstrating graduate-level preparation in English or related disciplines
• Research proposal outlining intended dissertation area and possible methodological approaches
• Writing sample of scholarly work (typically 20–30 pages)
• At least two academic references from faculty familiar with the applicant’s research and teaching potential
• Evidence of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (as specified by the university)

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in English Language and Literature pursue a range of careers in higher education, cultural organisations and beyond. Many alumni move into tenure-track and non-tenure-track teaching positions, while others take roles in academic administration, research centres, and public humanities organisations. The programme also prepares scholars for careers in publishing, editing, literary criticism, digital scholarship, museum curation, policy research and other professions that demand high-level research, writing and critical thinking skills.

• University and college teaching and research
• Academic administration and programme leadership
• Publishing, editing and literary agency work
• Digital humanities and scholarly communication
• Curation, libraries and cultural heritage institutions
• Public-facing writing, criticism and policy research

Why study at St. John's University

St. John's University offers doctoral students the advantages of a research-focused faculty and proximity to a major cultural and academic hub. Students benefit from close mentorship, opportunities to teach and gain pedagogical experience, and access to extensive library collections and digital resources. The university’s location provides easy access to archives, theatres, publishing houses and cultural organisations, supporting both archival and contemporary research projects.

Doctoral candidates also join a scholarly community that emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration, public scholarship, and professional development through workshops, conferences and teaching opportunities. Small cohort sizes and faculty supervision ensure tailored support through coursework, comprehensive exams and dissertation work.