The Department of English offers courses of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Included among the department?s offerings are literary and cultural studies, linguistics, film, journalism and new media, creative writing, visual rhetoric, rhetoric, and professional writing.

The Department of English offers programs in American and English literature and language leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. At either the MA or PhD level, students may elect a project concentration in Writing History and Theory or a course work concentration in Creative Writing.

New and continuing graduate students are normally supported with graduate assistantships providing tuition remission and a living stipend. Assistantships are awarded by the dean on the recommendation of the department. Applicants to the PhD program with previous teaching experience are preferred. All graduate assistants are required to take university- and department-level teacher training courses in their first semester of work at the university.

Teaching is viewed as an essential part of the education of graduate students aspiring to academic posts, and is required of all students working under assistantships. The department provides opportunities for graduate assistants to gain teaching experience in a variety of courses and in the Writing Resource Center.