Prospective Students

Apply to Comparative Literature, Doctor of Philosophy

 

Overview

The program in Comparative Literature prepares students to compete successfully for academic careers in both national literature departments and programs that stress comparative or interdisciplinary study. All students take a two-quarter sequence in their M.A. year that provides a solid grounding in literary criticism and theory and poses some of the central challenges facing literary scholars today. Students design the remainder of their program to serve their own interests, either studying several national literatures (with primary emphasis on one) or exploring the relationship between literature and another discipline. 

Key Information

Time to degree 6 years, 9 years max
Course per Quarter 4 courses on average
Size of Cohort 2-5
Degree Milestones

17 graduate level courses

2 foreign languages

Qualifying examination

Dissertation proposal and defense

*More details here
Teaching Requirement

At least one course assistantship in course parented by Comparative Literature and one standalone course parented by department

*More details here
Outcomes

Tenured or tenure-track positions in various literature departments at many colleges and universities both in the United States and abroad. Jobs in consulting, software development, high school teaching, and more.

 

Apply for Admission

Application Requirements

Financial Aid for Prospective Students

  • All admitted PhD students are guaranteed to have full funding support from the University and external sources, or a combination of the two for the duration of their program.
  • Applicants do not need to apply separately for funding

Questions?