Graduate Programs
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of English offers several graduate degree options that serve the needs of a wide variety of students:
Master of Arts in English
Our MA program is designed for students who wish to pursue graduate-level work in literary studies or writing studies and provides experience in research and teaching. We welcome students interested in concluding their work with an MA as well as those who are exploring the possibility of doctoral work.
Doctor of Philosophy in English
Our PhD program provides a rich balance of coursework, research, writing, and pedagogy theory and practice. We welcome students who plan to pursue work within academia and beyond. Beginning in Fall 2023, students with a BA in English or Rhetoric and Composition interested in doctoral study should apply directly to the PhD program. Students with a BA in another field or an MFA should first apply to the MA in English.
Information for students who began PhD. study in Fall 2023 or earlier
Information for students applying in Fall 2023 (page under construction)
Combined Master of Arts/Doctor of Philosophy in English
The combined MA/PhD is available only to students beginning their graduate work in Fall 2023 or earlier. After that date, students with a BA in English or Rhetoric and Composition who wish to pursue a PhD should apply directly to our PhD program. Students with a BA in another field or with an MFA should first earn an MA degree. Our MA/PhD is a seven-year program for students with a BA who are confident that they want to pursue a PhD.
For a full list of UConn graduate programs and requirements for the current academic year, visit the UConn Graduate Catalog.
Graduate Certificate Programs
English graduate students can also complete a UConn graduate certificate in an affiliated area while they complete their degree. Graduate certificates are typically offered by a department, institute, or program that is closely affiliated with the Department of English. Examples include:
As an interdisciplinary field, American Studies is devoted to studying U.S. culture and its relationship to the world beyond its borders. This certificate provides advanced training in this interdiscipline while helping graduate students to become more capacious in their teaching and research.
The Graduate Certificate in Digital Humanities and Media Studies (DHMS) supplies interested graduate students with crucial training for their careers inside and outside academia. Interdisciplinary in its approach, the certificate is not solely oriented towards digital humanities methods, research, and practice, but also towards integrating media studies as an interdisciplinary and international field of critical theory and cultural studies.
The Graduate Certificate in Human Rights offers students the opportunity to develop a competency in human rights theory and practice, by taking courses taught by expert faculty from across UConn’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, and School of Social Work.
The Feminist Studies Graduate Certificate offers a concentrated feminist perspective and interdisciplinary theoretical approach to a student’s disciplinary research interests as well as a broad understanding of the field of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.
The Graduate Certificate in Literary Translation offers graduate students and post-baccalaureate students the opportunity to develop a competence in the translation of various genres of literature, as well as a broad understanding of translation theory. A certificate in literary translation at the graduate level can lead to a range of language-focused careers.
The Graduate Certificate in College Instruction is a 9-credit program for individuals interested in deepening their theoretical and practical understanding of college teaching. This certificate program is intended to provide graduate students with a significant credential on their transcripts in the area of instructional understanding and competence.
For a complete list of graduate certificates, visit the UConn Graduate School website.