Program Overview
UCI's highly ranked Ph.D. in English program offers a customizable curriculum with a focus on literary and critical theory. Students develop expertise through a qualifying exam and dissertation, while gaining teaching experience and interdisciplinary opportunities. Graduates have secured faculty positions at prestigious universities, demonstrating the program's excellence in preparing scholars for academic careers.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Ph.D. in English program at UCI is highly regarded, ranking #7 in literary and critical theory nationally (US News and World Report). It is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in literary and critical theory, allowing them to customize their study and research around their own intellectual interests. The program emphasizes a broad range of fields, historical periods, and methodological approaches. Students can take seminars in other programs and departments, allowing for interdisciplinary certificates.
Assessment:
The program includes a qualifying examination, where students select two or three fields of study in consultation with their advisor. This exam helps students build expertise and confidence toward a future dissertation. After successfully completing the qualifying examination, students write a dissertation under the supervision of a three-person dissertation committee, which they select.
Teaching:
Faculty members are involved in a variety of reading groups and interdisciplinary research clusters. The program offers a range of teaching opportunities for students.
Careers:
Graduates of the program have gone on to faculty positions at a range of nationally ranked colleges and universities, including the University of Michigan, Tulane, Rice, Clemson, BYU, and Connecticut College.
Other:
- Students may enter the program with either a B.A. or an M.A. degree.
- The first two years of the program are spent taking courses, completing the language requirement, and writing the M.A. paper.
- Students can participate in interdisciplinary clusters such as The Center for Early Cultures, Poetics | History | Theory, the Rhetoric Research Cluster, and UCI Global Asias.
- All admitted students receive a multi-year funding package, including a range of teaching opportunities.
