Graduate Programs

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MA in English PhD in English PhD in Rhetoric & Composition

TCU is a mid-sized liberal arts university nestled in the vibrant, culturally rich Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Our tradition of excellence in graduate studies combines intellectual development with practical training, professional mentoring, and individual attention throughout our three degree programs:

These programs support students with multiple opportunities to further their understanding of critical theory, research, and pedagogy in rhetoric and composition; the cultural roles that literature in its many forms plays in local, regional, national and transnational contexts; and the generative craft work and exploration of the cultural impact of creative writing.

Mason Patterson, English Ph.D. candidate

Mason Peterson "My time at TCU as a graduate student has been shaped by faculty mentors who really took the time to understand my past experiences and future goals and made room for me to grow by involving me in projects that mattered to me. Through working closely with them, I’ve learned so much about editing, publishing, and developing programs in areas like scholarly and creative writing, image work, and digital humanities. These opportunities have completely changed the direction of my journey and opened doors I hadn’t imagined before."

M.A. and Ph.D. candidates undertake original research and creative projects and learn the critical applications of humanities research in our world with:

A nationally respected faculty with strong research and publication profiles.
A program that is small enough and friendly enough to allow for individual intellectual development and career mentoring.
A balanced and flexible course of study that allows you to integrate work in literary studies and cultural studies, rhetoric and composition studies, or to focus on one research area alone.
Competitive graduate fellowships that typically provide six years of funding for Ph.D. students who enter with a B.A. and five years of funding for students who enter with an M.A.
Appointments for graduate instructors that carry a 1:1 teaching load.
Sustained mentoring of your teaching, including summer workshops and graduate courses in pedagogy
An excellent record of student placement and publication
Graduate certificates in Women and Gender Studies and Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies.

Jongkeyong Kim, English Ph.D. candidate

Jongkeyong Kim headshot "The Department of English has provided me with an environment where I have developed a clear vision of my teacher-scholar identity through various approaches to scholarship and teaching, allowing me to witness—rather than merely study—what it means to thrive as an academic professional, not merely surviving. This community combines genuine care and empathy with strategic insight, creating a supportive network dedicated to each student's professional growth. Particularly, faculty members are willing to provide personalized mentorship throughout your graduate journey, guiding you step by step toward successful graduation and job placement."