Indiana University Bloomington

What you'll study

The programme combines core seminars in literary history and theory with elective coursework that allows students to develop specialised interests — for example, British and American literature, twentieth- and twenty-first-century literature, medieval and renaissance studies, ethnic and postcolonial literatures, gender and sexuality studies, and literary theory. Typical modules and seminar topics include close reading and critical methods, narrative theory, modernist and contemporary poetry, Shakespeare and early drama, African American literature, and interdisciplinary courses that integrate cultural studies, media, or digital humanities approaches.

Students engage in a mix of small-group seminars, lecture courses, and research practicum. Work emphasises archival and bibliographic skills, historiography, critical writing, and oral presentation. The programme offers pathways both with and without a thesis component: thesis-track students undertake an extended research project under faculty supervision, while non-thesis students may complete additional coursework and a substantial research paper or practicum in its place.

Entry requirements

• Undergraduate degree: A recognised bachelor’s degree in English or a related discipline, with a strong academic record. Applicants with degrees in other humanities fields may be considered if they demonstrate relevant coursework and preparation.
• Transcripts: Official academic transcripts covering all post-secondary study.
• Writing sample: A representative academic essay or research paper showing analytical ability and written expression (typically 15–25 pages).
• Personal statement: A statement of purpose outlining academic interests, proposed areas of study, and professional goals.
• References: Two or three confidential letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can speak to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
• English language proficiency: International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency via an accepted test or other approved evidence.
• Additional materials: Some applicants seeking funding or specific appointments (such as teaching assistantships) may be asked to provide supplementary materials or participate in interviews. GRE requirements, where applicable, vary by cohort and should be checked with the department.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers that value advanced analytical, research and communication skills. Many students continue to doctoral study in English or related fields and go on to academic careers. Others move into teaching (including secondary education with appropriate certification), publishing and editing, journalism, content strategy, communications, non-profit programme management, public relations, and cultural institutions such as museums and libraries.

Alumni also find roles in law and policy, digital humanities and information design, and corporate communications, where the ability to synthesise complex texts and produce clear written arguments is prized. The department’s emphasis on research, pedagogy, and public-facing work helps prepare graduates for both scholarly and applied professional pathways.

Why study at Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington has a long-established English department with a diverse faculty working across historical periods, theoretical frameworks, and interdisciplinary fields. Students benefit from access to extensive library collections, special collections, and research centres, which support archival and primary-source research.

The campus offers a lively intellectual environment with reading series, visiting-scholar programmes, student-run journals, and opportunities to teach under supervision as graduate teaching assistants. Interdisciplinary links with departments such as American Studies, Folklore and Ethnomusicology, Comparative Literature, and Digital Humanities expand training and research possibilities. Bloomington’s active literary community and cultural resources provide practical outlets for public scholarship, internships, and professional networking.

Overall, the programme combines rigorous coursework, faculty mentorship, and research resources to prepare students for advanced scholarship and a broad array of careers that require strong critical and communicative capacities.