CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

The PhD programme combines advanced coursework, comprehensive examinations, language or methodological competency requirements, and an original dissertation based on sustained archival, theoretical or digital research. Core work typically covers literary history and theory, methods in literary and cultural analysis, and a series of seminars that allow students to develop a specialised field of study such as American literature, British literature, African American studies, Caribbean and diasporic literature, gender and sexuality studies, critical race studies, book history and print culture, composition and rhetoric, or digital humanities.

Students usually take a combination of required and elective seminars in the first years to build breadth and depth, participate in pedagogical training and practicum teaching, and satisfy proficiency expectations (which may include modern or classical languages, digital methods, or other research tools). After completing coursework and qualifying examinations, students propose and write a dissertation under the supervision of a faculty advisor and dissertation committee. Opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary work are common, with many students drawing on resources across CUNY campuses and New York City cultural institutions.

Entry requirements

Successful applicants normally hold a master’s degree in English or a closely related humanities field, or demonstrate equivalent academic preparation. Admissions committees expect a strong academic record, a focused statement of purpose outlining research interests, a substantial writing sample that demonstrates analytical and research ability, and three letters of recommendation from academic referees.

Applicants should be prepared to document prior coursework in literature and theory, and to explain how their proposed research fits with faculty expertise in the programme. Some applicants may be asked to demonstrate language or methodological preparation relevant to their research area. Official policies on standardised tests and specific prerequisites vary; applicants should consult current Graduate Center admissions guidance for up-to-date instructions.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly pursue tenure-track faculty positions in English and related departments, and many also move into visiting and adjunct teaching roles before securing permanent posts. Beyond the academy, alumni find careers in educational leadership, secondary school teaching, publishing and editing, cultural and museum management, public humanities programming, digital scholarship and archives, government and policy organisations, and communications roles in non-profit and private sectors. The programme’s emphasis on teaching experience, interdisciplinary research and proximity to New York City cultural institutions supports a broad range of career pathways.

Why study at CUNY(The City University of New York)

Studying at CUNY’s Graduate Center places students in a large, research-intensive doctoral environment with strong faculty expertise across many literary and cultural fields and numerous interdisciplinary initiatives. The multi-campus CUNY system and New York City’s libraries, archives, theatres and cultural organisations provide exceptional primary-source and collaborative opportunities for research. The programme also offers structured pedagogical training, mentorship from active scholars, and professionalisation resources to support grant-writing, conference presentation and job-market preparation. For students seeking a diverse intellectual community and research situated in an urban, resource-rich setting, CUNY offers distinct advantages.