English Department Doctorate (PhD)

Craft a Future in Literary Scholarship

Fordham University’s Ph.D. Program in English couples expansive study in literary methods and traditions with cutting-edge research in new and emerging fields. Tailored for ambitious scholars, taught by expert faculty, our program offers a dynamic environment and supportive community where you can advance your literary expertise, explore critical theory, and build meaningful projects that speak to your passions.

At Fordham, you’re not just earning your doctorate; you’re joining a vibrant community of thinkers and creators dedicated to exploring new horizons in English literature and cultural studies. With access to ample research archives, dynamic interdisciplinary opportunities, talented faculty mentors, and the rich cultural and intellectual communities of New York City, you will be empowered to develop original research and contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of English studies.

Program Highlights

  • Outstanding Faculty Expertise: Work closely with renowned faculty who are not only pioneering scholars but also dedicated teachers and mentors. Whether pursuing academic futures or exploring ac-adjacent career pathways, our faculty work hard to guide students through their professional formation. We help our students author groundbreaking research while offering support and inspiration at every step.
  • Innovative Research Opportunities: Dive into a diverse range of research areas—from medieval literature to contemporary theory, from environmental humanities to creative writing. Our program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and encourages innovative projects that challenge conventional boundaries.
  • Dedicated Teacher Training: We take the art of teaching seriously at Fordham. Students never teach in their first years of study, and all students undergo a year of credit-bearing training in pedagogical theory and practice before they receive their first teaching assignment. Our Advanced Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric offers additional credentials in the teaching of writing.
  • Vibrant Academic Community: Become part of our dynamic scholarly community at Fordham. Engage in stimulating discussions, collaborate on cutting-edge research, join Graduate English Association events, and participate in conferences and seminars that connect you with leading experts and peers.
  • New York Advantage: Immerse yourself in New York City, a global epicenter of literary and cultural innovation. Take advantage of an unparalleled array of libraries, archives, and cultural institutions that will enrich your research and open doors to boundless professional opportunities.

Program Basics

  • All Ph.D. students receive a tuition scholarship as well as a stipend of at least $36,000. Students in later years of the program are eligible to apply for Distinguished Fellowships that carry stipends of up to $48,000.
  • In addition to building generalist competencies, students specialize in a given historical period or literary tradition and receive intensive pedagogical training in a two-semester teaching practicum.
  • Students teach one course per semester in their final three years of fellowship-funded study, with the opportunity to teach both rhetoric/composition and literary studies courses.
  • Ph.D. students are eligible to take graduate courses at Columbia, NYU, Princeton, and elsewhere through the Doctoral Consortium.

Career Outcomes

Whether you aspire to join the professoriate, teach at elite private schools, break into the publishing industry, or oversee a stronger and smarter university, Fordham’s Ph.D. in English provides the tools, support, and environment you need to achieve your goals. Our program is designed to support your academic and professional development from day one. Our graduates are influential voices in academia, secondary education, university administration, the non-profit world, and beyond. Many of our Ph.D. students receive tenure-track positions, and just as many pursue successful career pathways outside academia (see English Ph.D. Placement).

Over the past ten years, 74% of our job candidates found full-time academic positions, 70% of which were tenure-track. Our career development and job placement efforts have also tracked shifts in the academic job market with outstanding success in academic-adjacent employment outcomes, even during the height of the COVID pandemic.

Contact Us

Ready to take the next step? Explore our program, meet our faculty, and see how Fordham can shape your academic future. For questions about the Graduate Program, please email [email protected].

Apply Today and join a tradition of excellence in literary scholarship and critical thinking.