Doctor of Philosophy in English

Most admitted students meet the following criteria:

An M.A. in English or related field

High levels of academic distinction at well-regarded colleges and universities with rigorous B.A./M.A. programs.

High GPA (3.7 and above in English).

Identified fields/areas of intended study, possible thesis/dissertation topics, and specific faculty in the department with whom students might wish to work.

A professional goal statement that aligns well with the curricula the department offers. The statement should be no more than 750 words and should lay out professional and intellectual goals as well as the interest in graduate studies in English. While plans may change, this statement will help the department assess the grasp of the field and the ability to describe ideas coherently and compellingly. The statement should address:

• The specific field of English studies of interest to students
• How students would like to contribute to existing research and criticism in an area of interest
• The critical and scholarly approaches to literature students have found most productive
• The faculty members with whom students would prefer to work with.

Sufficient TOEFL score (for international students).

English Language Proficiency Requirements

To ensure a successful academic experience at Saint Louis University, we require international applicants to demonstrate they are proficient in the English language by submitting scores from any one of the following standardized tests:

IELTS minimum score of 6.5; Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) minimum score of 80; Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) minimum score of 550; PTE minimum score of 54; Duolingo minimum score of 125.

Application Deadline

Completed applications are due by January 18. Students cannot begin the program in the spring semester or a summer session.