John Hopkins University

What you'll study

The programme combines close reading, historical context, and theoretical approaches to literature and language across periods and genres. Core work typically includes seminars in literary theory and methods, graduate research seminars, and advanced courses in major periods (for example, medieval and early modern, eighteenth- and nineteenth-century, and twentieth- and twenty‑first-century literatures) as well as in specialised areas such as gender and sexuality studies, race and postcolonial studies, American literature, African American studies, and cultural studies.

Students often choose from elective topics that reflect faculty strengths, such as digital humanities, comparative literature, archival research, book history, rhetoric and composition, or creative writing workshops (where offered). The programme emphasises original research: students normally complete a substantial thesis or capstone project under faculty supervision, and may take research-training modules on bibliographic methods, archival practice, or digital research tools.

• Graduate seminars in literary periods and genres
• Approaches to literary and linguistic theory
• Research methods, including archival and digital methods
• Electives in interdisciplinary and applied areas (e.g. cultural studies, public humanities)
• Thesis or major research project

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised undergraduate degree, preferably with substantial coursework in English, literature, or a closely related discipline. Admissions typically evaluate the overall academic record and the fit between the applicant's interests and the department's strengths.

• Completed bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Transcripts demonstrating strong performance in relevant courses
• Statement of purpose outlining research interests and goals
• Academic writing sample (often an essay or chapter-length piece showing analytical ability)
• Two or three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees
• Curriculum vitae or résumé
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (accepted tests and minimum scores vary)

Standardised tests such as the GRE are not universally required across all humanities programmes; applicants should consult the department for its current policy. Admissions are competitive and may favour applicants with clear research plans or relevant academic experience.

Career prospects

Graduates of a master's in English Language and Literature move into a range of careers that value advanced analytical, writing and research skills. Common pathways include further doctoral study and academic careers, secondary-school and community college teaching (with appropriate certification where required), and roles in publishing and editorial work.

• Doctoral research and university teaching
• Publishing, editing and literary agency work
• Communications, content strategy and journalism
• Digital humanities, archival work and cultural heritage institutions
• Public policy, non-profit sector roles and public-facing humanities work
• Technical writing, grant writing and corporate communications

The programme’s emphasis on research, argumentation and presentation also prepares graduates for careers in law, consulting and other fields that require rigorous critical thinking and clear written communication.

Why study at Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is a research-intensive university with strong humanities scholarship and a commitment to interdisciplinary work. Students benefit from close mentorship by faculty who publish in a range of specialisms, and from opportunities to collaborate with related centres and institutes across the university.

• Access to extensive library collections and special collections in the Sheridan Libraries and other campus archives
• Interdisciplinary opportunities with departments and centres in history, classics, digital humanities, and the arts
• Small seminar sizes that prioritise discussion, peer feedback and individual mentorship
• Professional development resources, including career services, internships in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and workshops on publishing and public scholarship
• Facilities and programmes that support digital research methods, archival training and public humanities projects

Together these resources make Johns Hopkins a place to develop rigorous research skills and to prepare for both academic and non-academic careers that require advanced expertise in literature and language.