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English, M.A. / Ph.D.

College of Arts and Sciences

Expand your intellectual borders through the English department’s graduate programs, which are among the top-ranked nationally for private and public institutions alike.

Discover a deeper understanding of theoretical developments in literature and rhetoric that shaped our cultural history. Our scholars study literature and rhetoric across a variety of historical periods and geographies. You will gain teaching experience while exploring literature with faculty mentors and visiting authors and scholars.

Program Highlights

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    Vibrant Intellectual Community

    Join a community of students who value rigorous thinking, theoretical inventiveness and historical understanding.

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    Internationally Recognized Faculty

    Learn from our diverse and dynamic faculty of inspiring scholars, who are motivated to help you succeed.

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    Innovative Courses & Research

    Take exciting courses that allow you to think deeply about cutting-edge ideas. Faculty mentors help you go further in your studies.

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    Campus of Opportunity

    Take additional classes that pertain to your interests or participate in collaboration with other departments on campus.

What You’ll Study

Popular courses include Modern Rhetorical Theory, Seminars in Literary and Cultural Study, and Gender and Sexuality. Students choose areas of emphasis such as English and American Literature or Composition and Rhetoric. A reading knowledge of foreign language may be required, and programs culminate in a thesis or dissertation.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Research

    Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

    Teaching

    Foster learning by conveying knowledge, skills and concepts to students

    Writing

    Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

  • Analytical Reasoning

    Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections and solutions

    Cultural Awareness

    Learning about and respecting diverse cultures and beliefs

    Critical Thinking

    Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

  • College Professor
  • Teacher
  • Humanities Scholar
  • Journalist
  • Columnist
  • Writer

Job Titles of Alumni

  • Professor
  • Author / Writer / Editor
  • Teacher
  • Managing Editor
  • Marketing Specialist
  • Communications Manager

Workplace Settings

  • Academia
  • Publishing
  • Public Humanities
  • Journalism
  • Communications

Employers of Alumni

  • University of South Carolina
  • Duke University
  • Charleston County School District
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • UNC Charlotte University
  • University of Michigan

This program is a competitive space for a scholar, but a supportive place where you are heard and encouraged towards success. Looking back, I can see how much the department supported me from the very beginning.

Chelsea Rogers
Portrait of Chelsea Rogers
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