If you love words and communication, it may be your goal to earn an online PhD in English.
Holding a doctoral degree is a common requirement for jobs in academia, such as being an English professor or a humanities researcher. Having a PhD isn’t just for working in a college, though.
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Whether you plan to be a professor or a practitioner, you can satisfy your desire to study language and writing by completing a distance learning PhD in English.
Online PhD in English Programs
A doctorate in English is a terminal degree for people who are interested in various aspects of the English language, including literature and writing.
During your program, you may have the opportunity to spend several years engaged in serious study, so you’ll probably want to select a topic in the field that fascinates you. Some areas of study include medieval literature, gender studies, written discourse, modern grammar, or film criticism.
In a doctoral English program, you’ll typically complete a series of coursework toward the beginning of your studies. While a handful of your classes might be prescribed, you may be at liberty to select much of your own curriculum.
Topics you might study in online English PhD programs include:
Cultures and societiesComposition and rhetoricGrammar and syntaxLiterature from various time periodsResearch methodsTeaching methods
Many students enter English PhD programs because they want to have careers in academia. In a linguistics department, you might teach courses and work on research projects. Taking classes on instructional methods during your program can help you prepare for that role.
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As a PhD candidate, you’ll typically need to undertake a major research project. Completing the research and the writing for your dissertation can take several years. Along the way, you’ll take classes to help you get started, and you’ll have the support of a faculty advisor.
After completing your doctoral program, you might look for a job at a university or another academic institution. You can also pursue research opportunities outside of college settings. Having a PhD in English might also enhance your career as a writer, an editor, or a journalist.
Your developed communication skills can also be useful in the fields of public relations or business administration. Some graduates become education administrators or K-12 teachers as well.
English Major Careers & Salaries
Many students who enroll in English doctoral programs want to become college professors. As a faculty member of a university’s English department, you might teach writing or literature. You may have opportunities to conduct research in the humanities as well.
Getting a faculty job can entail a lot of competition. Fortunately, there are plenty of other options you can pursue with a degree in English lit or language.
Being a professor isn’t the only option for working in education. With a teaching license, you can qualify to teach in a high school’s English education department. Those with a PhD may also pursue roles as college administrators.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are various career paths open for people with a Ph.D. in English.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $118,430 |
| Top Executives | $107,680 |
| Postsecondary Education Administration | $97,500 |
| Technical Writers | $74,650 |
| Postsecondary English Language and Literature Teachers | $69,000 |
| Writers and Authors | $67,120 |
| Editors | $63,400 |
| High School Teachers | $62,870 |
| Middle School Teachers | $60,810 |
| Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts | $49,300 |
The publishing industry especially relies on strong writing skills. Some graduates become authors or editors. The process of researching and writing a dissertation might prepare you for the role of a technical writer, relaying complicated information in understandable ways.
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In fact, nearly any job that depends on communication skills might benefit from your doctoral background. Public relations managers and administrative managers are two such positions that require solid communication skills.
Journalism and on-air reporting are other lines of work to consider. Audiences might appreciate your ability to explain complicated situations or to help them consider different perspectives.
English Doctorate Curriculum & Courses
As a doctoral student, you may have a good deal of flexibility to choose what courses you take as part of your program.
The English departments at many schools offer a vast lineup of courses. That might allow you to build a curriculum that supports your professional goals and research interests. Examples of courses that might be offered at your school include:
American Literature: You could study a particular period in American history, the social forces that shaped that era, and the works that came out of it.British Literature: Writers you might study in a British lit class include Shakespeare, Chaucer, Marlowe, and Wordsworth.Communicating Through Mixed Media: You can learn to deliver effective messages on digital platforms through a mix of words, images, and other elements.Grammar of the English Language: You’ll study traditional and modern issues related to syntax and other aspects of grammar.Humanities Research: This course will introduce you to graduate-level research practices for people who study English or other humanities subjects.Key Questions for English Scholars: During this course, you may study literature theories, methods of analysis, and perspectives through which to view various works.Medieval Literature: In this course, you might familiarize yourself with early forms of the English language or explore ways that medieval works have influenced modern writers.
Multicultural Language Studies: As you explore works from around the world, you may discuss the challenge of translating ideas from one culture to another.Statistics for Linguistics: You’ll learn how to apply quantitative statistical methods when analyzing your research data.Teaching Writing: Your time in this class can help you become a more effective educator who brings out the best in students’ composition skills.
Some of these classes may be designed to prepare you for a dissertation project. A significant portion of your doctoral program may be devoted to completing the dissertation.
Admissions Requirements
English departments typically look for doctoral students with a solid academic background and impressive writing skills. To demonstrate that you’re the right candidate for a doctoral program, you may need to submit the following:
Application form and feeCollege transcriptsGRE scores (if required)Resume or curriculum vitaeWriting sample
GRE scores are not a universal requirement for graduate admission, so your school may not request them or may grant waivers to qualified applicants.
Accreditation
A doctoral degree in English will require a lot of your time, attention, and effort. It’s strategic to make sure that you’re investing your resources wisely by choosing to study at a college that holds regional accreditation.
To become accredited, a school must take its educational mission seriously. It has to undergo an evaluation process in which it demonstrates honest practices and a commitment to academic excellence.
Accredited degrees garner greater respect from institutions and employers. When you’re looking for a job, holding a regionally accredited PhD may increase your chances of securing a desirable role.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
As part of your preparation for graduate school, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
You may qualify for government student aid, and you might be able to take out state or federal loans with a lower interest rate than you’d get with private loans. You may also be eligible for a work-study program.
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Some colleges finance part or all of a PhD student’s education through teaching or research assistant programs. Your commitment to supporting the school’s English program may significantly reduce the price of your doctoral degree.
There’s also the possibility of earning scholarships or fellowships from private sources. These gifts may support you for one or more years of your program. If your studies will benefit your current employer, you can see if a workplace tuition program will cover part of your PhD costs.
Professional Organizations
Joining a professional organization can help you sharpen your abilities as a wordsmith, an educator, or a leader in linguistics. Your group might offer resources like conferences, journals, job boards, and discussion forums.
Being a part of a professional organization can allow you to enhance your studies while in school. Your membership can continue to provide benefits after you complete your doctoral program.
Can You Get a PhD in English?
Yes, there is a Doctor of Philosophy in English degree. There are programs focused on literary criticism and others dedicated to the study of writing and rhetoric. Both online and on-campus PhD programs are available.
Course topics you might take during an English PhD program include literature theories, history of the English language, and 19th century American literature. You may also take classes focused on research, technical writing, and teaching. This group of courses can prepare you for your dissertation project and a potential career in academia.
What Can You Do with a PhD in English?
Many people want to earn their PhDs because they have their sights set on academic careers. You might want to teach university English courses or also work on original research. Your degree in English literature or composition can be useful in other fields as well.
Having a doctoral degree might establish you as a top candidate for various jobs in which communication is an essential skill. Common communication careers include working in education, public relations, writing, editing, and broadcasting.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in English?
How long it takes you to earn your English doctorate is largely up to you and your schedule.
A couple of years will probably be spent on required coursework. In accelerated English degree online programswith fast-track classes, you might be able to complete your classes in a shorter length of time. Most of your program, though, will be spent on the dissertation process. It may take you several years to complete the necessary research and write your document.
Students generally end up in a doctoral program for around 3 to 5 years. Others may spend longer on the process.
Is a PhD in English Worth It?
Yes, a PhD in English is worth it for many students. If you’re set on becoming an English professor, having this degree is typically a necessity.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary teaching positions are growing at a 9% rate. Even still, some humanities departments are shrinking, so competition for English positions may be tight.
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Before committing, it’s worthwhile to consider other benefits—such as the opportunity to immerse yourself in in-depth studies. A doctorate can also be useful in writing, editing, or administrative careers.
Universities Offering Online PhD in English Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer English degree programs online or in a hybrid format.