Rice University

What you'll study

The programme combines close reading, historical study and theoretical inquiry across a range of periods and genres. Core work typically covers major currents of British and American literature, literary theory and methods of literary research. Elective seminars enable focussed study in areas such as Shakespeare and the early modern period, nineteenth‑century fiction, modernism and contemporary literature, postcolonial and transatlantic studies, poetry, and genre studies (drama, the novel, short fiction).

Students also encounter interdisciplinary options and emerging fields including digital humanities, archive and textual studies, rhetoric and composition, and cultural studies. Coursework is delivered mainly through small, seminar‑style classes, and students complete sustained independent research—often in the form of a thesis or capstone project—under faculty supervision.

• Graduate seminars in literary periods and genres
• Courses in literary theory and critical methods
• Options in digital humanities, textual criticism and archival practice
• Research training and supervised thesis or major paper
• Opportunities to engage with pedagogy and course design

Entry requirements

Applicants need a completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, normally with a strong record in English or a closely related humanities discipline. Typical application materials include academic transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining research interests and goals, a writing sample that demonstrates close reading and critical argument, and academic references. International applicants whose first language is not English should provide evidence of English proficiency according to the university’s requirements.

Admissions committees look for evidence of readiness for advanced study and research in literature: clarity of intellectual aims, strength of prior coursework, and the potential for productive engagement with faculty and peers. Candidates with non‑traditional backgrounds who can demonstrate relevant preparation and research potential are also considered.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a variety of careers that value advanced analytic, writing and research skills. Common pathways include further doctoral study and academic careers, secondary and post‑secondary teaching (often combined with additional certification for K–12 roles), and roles in publishing, editing and literary publicity. Other options include journalism, communications and content strategy, cultural and heritage organisations (museums, libraries and archives), public humanities and nonprofit programme roles, and emerging positions in digital curation and text analysis.

The programme’s emphasis on research, close reading and communication equips graduates for careers that require complex textual interpretation, project management and public engagement with literary and cultural materials.

Why study at Rice University

Rice offers a graduate experience marked by small seminars, close faculty mentorship and access to substantial research resources. Students benefit from the holdings of the university’s libraries and from being located in a large, diverse city with a rich cultural and literary life. The department encourages interdisciplinary work and collaboration with neighbouring fields—such as history, visual and performing arts, and digital scholarship—providing broader training and research opportunities.

Faculty strengths and a collegial graduate community create an environment suited to sustained study and experimental projects, while professional development resources on campus help students prepare for academic and non‑academic careers alike.