Graduate
Study how writing works, and how to teach it. Our MA in English and internationally recognized PhD in rhetoric and composition pair close mentorship with real teaching and publishing experience.
Explore your Future
Why our graduate program?
Graduate study in English at UofL is built on mentorship, teaching and publishing, not just coursework. Our faculty are research-active scholars and well-published writers who work closely with graduate students on their projects.
PhD Dissertations
Research in the PhD program culminates in a dissertation, supervised by faculty in the English Department and one "outside reader."
Faculty mentorship
MA students work one-on-one with scholars or creative writers on a culminating project or thesis; PhD students get tailored mentoring on research, writing and publication in rhetoric and composition.
Real experience
Students teach, gain administrative experience as assistant program directors, edit journals like the Miracle Monocle, and present at the department’s national conferences, the Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture and the Thomas R. Watson Conference.
The culminating experience
MA students complete a research project, a creative thesis (a novella or a collection of poems or stories) or a master’s thesis. PhD students complete original research and a dissertation supervised by department specialists and an outside reader, the foundation for careers as faculty, writing-program directors and writers.
Academic experience & support
Ready to take the next step?
Connect with our director of graduate studies to learn more, talk through your interests or plan a visit.