Prepare for a career in academia and work with renowned faculty within composition and rhetoric, linguistics, or literature.
At A&M-Commerce, you're more than just a number. You're a colleague. Take the next step towards earning your Ph.D. in English by applying to our doctoral program. Whatever your specialty may be, we're here to guide you along the way. We offer concentrations in composition and rhetoric, linguistics, and American, British and children's literature. Work closely with our renowned faculty as you present at conferences, publish your research and interact with scholars across disciplines. Apply your knowledge to the classroom setting through teaching at the college or university level.
Work alongside exceptional faculty who will improve your reading, writing and analytical skills. You’ll receive one-on-one mentorship as you explore the literary world.
Lead Students to Success
Teach undergraduate students how to read often and write well. Through our Writing Center and teaching assistant program, you’ll work with undergraduate students as you mentor and tutor.
Enrich Your Education
Engage in meaningful discussions that deepen your understanding of cultural and social differences. We challenge our students to broaden their appreciation of literature and become globally minded citizens.
Career Readiness
Employers are looking for critical thinkers and effective communicators. The College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts is dedicated to providing you knowledge and resources to excel in the workforce.
Choose from two areas of concentration and five specialties while earning your doctorate. Discover which option works best for your research interests and career goals.
I am motivated by people. As a teacher, that's students; as a researcher, it's the people most impacted at the heart of my projects; as a human, it's my family.
Humans are inherently storytelling creatures. This is our refrain. This is how we know who we are–as individuals, as communities, as a nation, as a world.
Earning your Ph.D. in English prepares you to teach at the college or university level. Join a rewarding program that deepens your understanding of literary theory and criticism. Other careers in higher education, academic publishing and editing may require a Ph.D.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
Professors
$78,470
High School Teachers
$60,320
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018
Dr. Salvatore Attardo, my dissertation advisor and current mentor, is one of the most influential professors that I have had the pleasure of working with. I always try to follow his example of academic excellence.
I cannot even count how many times Dr. Attardo rooted for me, supported me, encouraged me, and, when needed, had the ‘tough’ talks with me to get me in gear. He was and continues to be a pillar in my professional and personal endeavors.
Gain the experience you need by teaching English 1301 or 1302 at the university level. Doctoral students will have the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants in order to meet residency requirements, though students who are not able to serve as teaching assistants may fulfill requirements in alternate ways. Contact Dr. Karen Roggenkamp, program coordinator, for more information.
A study of major literary works from both classical and contemporary literature in diverse genres outside the English language tradition. This course is required for doctoral students specializing in Critical Literacy.
Development of the British NovelEng 540
A study of the origin and development of the novel in Great Britain from the eighteenth century to the present. Novels by authors such as Fielding, Austen, Dickens, Hardy, Woolf, and Joyce may be included.
Pedagogical Applications of Phonology & PhoneticsEng 658
The application of phonological principles and practices to TESOL teaching. We will examine different approaches to pronunciation teaching in the ESL/EFL classroom and investigate a variety of techniques.
Our flexible program is designed for current educators and working professionals. Whether a full or part-time student, you can complete the program at your own pace. We offer face-to-face courses at our main campus location, and this program is also offered fully online.
English (PHD) :: Program Admission Requirements US
Deadlines
Fall admission consideration: ApplyTexas application due May 1. All documents due May 15. Springadmission consideration: ApplyTexas Application due November 15. All documents due Dec. 1. Summeradmission consideration: ApplyTexas Application due April 1. All documents due April 15.
Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
Select “English, PHD” as your “Major.”
Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
To be considered for admission, one of the following is required
a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher, or
a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours, or
an awarded master’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.
If you have a non-thesis master’s degree, you must complete a thesis prior to doctoral candidacy (empirical thesis can be completed in our program en route to the dissertation and doctoral candidacy).
Postal Alternative
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce Attn: Graduate School PO Box 3011 Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Statement of Goals
Submit a Statement of Goals (two pages, double-spaced)that addresses the following questions:
What is your area of study? (linguistics, literature, etc)
Why do you want to study that particular area?
What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals?
Are there any professors you would like to study under?
Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Writing Sample
Submit a sample of your writing that contains:
a one or two pieces of your academic prose (no more than 10 pages total) and
a two-page statement of your background, interests and goals as they relate to your graduate work in English.
Four Letters of Recommendation
Request four signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.
Two of the references should hold a doctoral degree.
Request that your GRE®scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
Select “English, PHD” as your “Major.”
Pay the $75 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
To be considered for admission one of the following is required
a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher,
a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours, or
an awarded master’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.
Postal Alternative
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce Attn: Graduate School PO Box 3011 Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Transcript Evaluation
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Statement of Goals
Submit a Statement of Goals (two pages, double-spaced)that addresses the following questions:
What is your area of study? (linguistics, literature, etc)
Why do you want to study that particular area?
What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals?
Are there any professors you would like to study under?
Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Writing Sample
a one or two pieces of your academic prose (no more than 10 pages total) and
a two-page statement of your background, interests, and goals as they relate to your graduate work in English.
Four Letters of Recommendation
Request four signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.
Two of the references should hold a doctoral degree.
Request that your GRE®scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
Official Sponsor Documents
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
Official sponsor statement
Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
English Proficiency
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:
TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
