Why Pursue a PhD in English
This doctoral program offers students opportunities for advanced study and research in cross-cultural, transnational approaches to English language and literary studies, with coursework required in U.S. Latina/o literature and the theory and practice of teaching composition. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, advisors offer extensive mentoring and guidance for graduate student success. This program also offers study abroad opportunities in England, Italy, and Spain.
Research Concentrations
Funding is available for graduate student travel to conferences. In addition, Graduate Certificates in Creative Writing and in Rhetoric and Composition are available. Faculty research concentrations include:
- American Literature
- British Literature
- Comparative Literature
- Creative Writing
- Cultural Studies
- Linguistics
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Technical and Professional Writing
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.
| English (PhD) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Admission is only available for the Fall semester | ||
| Required Degree | Master’s in English Degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | 18 credit hours in an area related to this graduate degree and at least 12 hours must be at the upper-division level. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) directly from the graduate admission application platform | |
| TOEFL/IELTS Score | 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS scores for International applicants (exempt countries). | |
| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 3 demonstrating your academic and personal attributes for success in this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time) | |
| Writing Sample | Required | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Admission Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| English (PhD) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Students can expect to hear back on an admission decision within 4 to 6 weeks after February 1. | |||
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
| International | February 1 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Domestic | February 1 | Not Available | Not Available |
Funding Opportunities
Financial aid is offered to eligible students in the form of graduate fellowships and scholarships. Students have received University Teaching and Dissertation Fellowships and external fellowships, such as the Ford Dissertation and Smithsonian Graduate Fellowships. For more information about graduate funding, click below.
Learn MoreCareer Options
UTSA prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below is data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
Graduate classes are generally offered in the evening and may also be offered in the afternoon or morning. A full listing of current classes may be accessed through ASAP (Course Schedules) and syllabi may be accessed through Bluebook.
