The doctoral program is designed to lead to the PhD in five years of study beyond the MA degree. With a diverse range of graduate seminars and an active research faculty, the PhD program prepares students for a successful professional career in academia. Students can specialize in the fields of British, American, or Anglophone literatures and examine a range of critical, theoretical, and cultural perspectives on those literary traditions. Students will gain a broad expertise that will prepare them for researching and writing the dissertation. We are committed to the professional training of our students, and they have been successful in gaining academic employment.

PhD Admissions

We encourage applicants to visit the English Department to learn more about our graduate program, see the campus and our facilities, and meet with faculty and graduate students to discuss interests and goals. The application deadline is January 15th. All materials must be submitted via an online application system.
 

The required applications materials include the following:

• Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages). The statement of purpose should discuss your scholarly interest, any research directions you would like to pursue, and how your interests and goals fit into the English Department.
• Writing Sample (analytical prose, not creative work, 15-20 pages)
• Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended. If an applicant is offered and accepts admission, the Graduate School will require official transcripts.
• Letters of Recommendation from three people who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarship and qualifications for graduate work in English and or teaching abilities.
• CV or Resume.
• Teaching Assistantship Application. Please fill out this form and upload to the online application. Teaching Assistantships included a stipend of at least $19,000/year, tuition waiver, and health care.

To schedule a campus visit or to receive additional information about graduate programs in English at the University of Kentucky, please contact Director of Graduate Studies, Matt Giancarlo, or Jessica Newman.

Students applying to the Ph.D. program from the University of Kentucky M.A. or M.F.A. programs are required to submit a writing sample and a two-page statement of professional purpose. In considering candidates for the Ph.D. program, the Graduate Studies Committee gives highest priority to performance in graduate courses and solicits comments from all of the student's graduate instructors.