Graduate Studies

The Department of English at the University of Maryland offers Ph.D. programs in English language and literature and comparative literature, an M.A. program with concentrations in literature as well as rhetoric and writing studies, and an M.F.A. program with concentrations in poetry and fiction. In addition, graduate students are able to earn graduate certifications in fields such as critical theory, digital humanities, and women's, gender, and sexuality studies.

With a large and distinguished graduate faculty of over 60 members, the department is able to provide its graduate students with an extraordinary depth and range of expertise as well as with highly individualized professional and pedagogical mentorship. Each area group, in collaboration with the Center for Literary and Comparative Studies and the Graduate English Organization (GEO), contributes to the department’s vibrant, diverse and inclusive intellectual life. Particular strengths of the department include:

• Early British literature, especially Medieval and Renaissance
• American literature 
• Literature of the African diaspora
• Postcolonial and transnational literary studies
• Digital humanities
• Feminist theory and gender studies
• Composition and rhetoric

Most students enrolled in graduate programs in English language and literature seek employment in higher education, but many also seek non-academic employment in publishing, business and technical writing, administration and personnel management. In order to maintain its excellent record in professionalization and job placement, the department has a placement director and offers publication and dissertation writing workshops every academic year, in addition to a rich choice of graduate courses.

For questions about our MA or Ph.D. programs please email englishgrad@umd.edu.