Penn State's Graduate Program in English

The graduate program in English offers first-rate training across the full spectrum of areas that define contemporary studies in literature, culture, rhetoric, and writing. Our graduate students conduct research investigating the cultural, ethical, and imaginative work of literature, rhetoric, and/or theory in political, institutional, and historical contexts.

The most recent rankings by the National Research Council lists Penn State’s doctoral program in English #6 out of the 122 English departments in the United States that grant PhDs. Phds.org ranks Penn State #6 among public university English departments.