College of Sciences and Humanities
Department of English
www.kent.edu/english

About This Program

Shape the stories that shape the world with Kent State’s English Ph.D., where advanced study in literature, rhetoric and writing is grounded in the power of narrative to drive change. Through rigorous research and creative inquiry, you’ll learn to analyze and craft narratives that influence ideas, inspire action and open doors to impactful careers in academia and beyond, from law and education to information science. Read more...

Contact Information

• Robert Sturr, Ph.D. | rsturr@kent.edu | 330-672-4324
• Bee Viton | bviton@kent.edu | 330-672-1708

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in English or related discipline from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement (1-2 pages)¹
• Writing sample (12-25 pages) relevant to the field of study
• Three letters of recommendation²
• Starting with the spring 2027 admission term: Interview with faculty (virtual) for applicants being considered for assistantships
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:³
  • Minimum 102 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 73 PTE score
  • Minimum 130 DET score

¹

Goal statement should describe relevant preparation, research interests and long-range academic and career goals.

²

Recommendation letters should be from current or recent professors/advisors who can speak to the applicant's intellectual abilities and scholarly potential.

³

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Funding deadline: December 1 (international student) and January 15 (domestic student)
    All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
    Applicants for the spring semester will not be considered for funded assistantships.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for ENG 89199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for ENG 89199, and thereafter ENG 89299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. Credit hours for ENG 89299 do not count toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements

• Students on appointment who have not had college teaching experience are required to take ENG 61094. The master's-level course cannot be applied toward the doctoral degree.
• Students are required to pass a foreign language requirement for the degree.

Candidacy for the Degree

Doctoral students must pass two written examinations in two distinct areas of English studies before being admitted to candidacy. They must also defend a dissertation prospectus.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze and interpret literary and non-literary texts and narratives.
2. Interpret and explain research in and connections between the fields of narrative theory, literary studies, rhetoric and writing studies.
3. Design and implement an original long-form research project and apply appropriate research methods.
4. Communicate research clearly and effectively in written, ora, and/or multi-modal formats.
5. Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in English offers students extensive learning in the areas of literature, rhetoric and composition, writing studies and beyond, with a distinctive focus on narrative. The program provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the ways narratives not only represent the world but also make it and change it, for both good and ill.

Narrative is defined very broadly as a fundamental and ubiquitous mode of thought that guides perception, constructs feelings and directs actions, operating at varying scales, in all domains and through multiple media and modes of perception. Students acquire advanced skills in critiquing, revising and creating narratives in the service of more effective and socially responsible problem solving, decision making, innovation and action planning. These skills are useful in a range of professions both in and outside the university, including law, teaching and library and information science. Graduates are well prepared to engage with a changing world.