Emory University

What you'll study

Coursework and research are tailored to each student’s focus, but core areas commonly addressed include:

• Linguistic structure: syntax, morphology, phonology, sociolinguistics and historical linguistics as applied to Romance languages.
• Literary analysis: close reading and theoretical approaches to poetry, prose, drama and emergent media across different historical periods and national traditions.
• Cultural and interdisciplinary studies: colonial and postcolonial studies, gender and sexuality studies, visual culture, film and translation studies in Romance-language contexts.
• Research methodology: methods in textual scholarship, archival research, corpus linguistics, digital humanities tools and quantitative/qualitative research designs.
• Pedagogy and professional practice: practical experience in language teaching, curriculum development, and public-facing scholarship; many students serve as graduate instructors.

Students design a programme of seminars and directed readings with their advisor, prepare for comprehensive examinations (written and/or oral), and then concentrate on dissertation research. Opportunities exist for cross-registration with related departments, collaboration with interdisciplinary centres, and participation in conferences and colloquia.

Entry requirements

• A relevant master’s degree or equivalent preparation in Romance languages, linguistics, comparative literature or a closely related field. Exceptional applicants with a strong bachelor’s degree and substantial research experience may also be considered.
• Evidence of advanced language competence in at least one Romance language; many applicants present competence in two or more languages depending on research plans.
• Academic transcripts showing a strong record of graduate-level study and preparation for doctoral research.
• Letters of recommendation (typically three) from academic referees familiar with the applicant’s research potential.
• A statement of purpose that outlines research interests, proposed areas of inquiry and fit with the department’s faculty expertise.
• A representative writing sample that demonstrates analytical ability and facility with scholarly argument (for example, a chapter, journal article or term paper).
• A curriculum vitae; applicants may also be invited to interview with faculty as part of the selection process.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly pursue academic careers as tenure-track or adjunct faculty in language, literature and linguistics departments, and many secure postdoctoral fellowships. Other frequent paths include roles in university administration and academic publishing, editing, cultural institutions (museums, archives), translation and localisation, language education policy, and research positions in NGOs or government agencies. Increasingly, graduates apply their skills in data analysis and corpus methods to industry roles in language technology, natural language processing and digital humanities initiatives.

Why study at Emory University

Emory’s programme is characterised by small seminar cohorts, close supervision by faculty with strengths across Romance-language literatures and linguistics, and an emphasis on interdisciplinary inquiry. Students benefit from research resources such as specialised library collections, digital scholarship support, language labs and collaborative centres on campus. Emory’s location in a major urban centre provides access to cultural organisations, archives and professional networks, facilitating opportunities for archival research, community partnerships and public-engaged scholarship.