Brandeis University

What you'll study

The programme combines core seminars in literary theory and methods with period- and genre-focused courses across British, American and global anglophone literatures. Typical modules and seminar topics include:

• Literary Theory and Critical Methods — contemporary and historical approaches to interpretation.
• Periods and Genres — medieval and renaissance literature, eighteenth- and nineteenth-century studies, modernism and contemporary literature, poetry, drama and the novel.
• Specialised Fields — African American literature, transatlantic studies, postcolonial and global anglophone literatures, gender and sexuality studies, and Jewish literature.
• Digital Humanities and Textual Studies — methods for working with archives, digital editing and computational approaches to literary research.
• Pedagogy and Professional Practice — preparing for college-level teaching and career-relevant skills such as editing, grant-writing and public humanities communication.

Students typically complete a combination of seminar coursework and a substantial research component, which may be satisfied by a supervised thesis or a comprehensive examination, depending on the department’s programme options. Small seminar sizes favour sustained discussion, close faculty mentoring and opportunities for conference presentations and publication.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record in English or a related field. A successful application usually includes:

• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
• A statement of purpose outlining research interests and academic goals.
• A representative writing sample that demonstrates scholarly reading and writing ability (for example, a term paper or undergraduate dissertation).
• At least two academic letters of recommendation from instructors or academic mentors.
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (accepted tests and score thresholds are determined by the university).

GRE requirements vary by department and may not be required; applicants should consult the department’s admissions page for the most current guidance. The department looks for evidence of readiness for graduate-level research, clarity of purpose and preparedness for seminar-based study.

Career prospects

Graduates leave the programme prepared for a range of careers that value critical thinking, advanced research and strong written communication. Common pathways include:

• Continuation to doctoral study and academic careers in teaching and research.
• Positions in publishing, editorial work and literary agencies.
• Roles in cultural institutions, museums, archives and libraries, particularly where curatorial and interpretive skills are needed.
• Communications, public relations and content strategy roles in non-profit, governmental and private sectors.
• Journalism, criticism and writing-based careers, including freelance and contract writing.
• Digital humanities and research-centred roles in tech and educational organisations.

Students benefit from Brandeis’s links to the Boston-area cultural and academic ecosystem for internships, networking and collaborative projects that help transition to these careers.

Why study at Brandeis University

Brandeis offers a close-knit graduate community with an emphasis on rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary exchange. The English department’s faculty cover a wide range of periods and approaches, including strong strengths in American literature, modernism and Jewish literary studies, enabling students to pursue specialised and cross-disciplinary research.

Located near Boston, Brandeis students have ready access to major research libraries, theatre and publishing resources, and academic conferences. The university supports graduate professional development through workshops, teaching opportunities, funding for research travel, and career services tailored to humanities graduates. Small seminars, sustained faculty mentorship and opportunities to collaborate with neighbouring departments make Brandeis a strong choice for students seeking an intellectually engaged and research-focused master’s experience in English.