English

The central mission of BU’s English graduate programs is the study of literature in all its richness and diversity, from the ever-evolving canon of past works in their stylistic and social complexity to the emerging cultural, media, graphic, and digital forms of the 21st century. Graduate coursework is offered in historical periods, individual authors, important literary movements, literary theory, and the history of criticism. World-class scholars lead small seminars, direct individual tutorials, advise independent student research, and engage in professional mentoring to prepare students for careers as researchers and teachers in the academy and beyond. The English department is also the home of two world-class academic journals: Shakespeare Studies and Studies in Romanticism.

The English department offers a terminal master’s degree and admits a small number of students annually to its PhD program. Our distinguished Creative Writing Program offers a one-year MFA, and our nationally renowned Playwriting Program offers a three-year MFA in Playwriting.

Numerous English faculty members are affiliated with other programs, centers, and schools throughout BU, such as Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies; the African Studies Center; African American Studies; Cinema & Media Studies; American & New England Studies; Medieval Studies; the College of Fine Arts; and Boston Playwrights’ Theater. Graduate students in the department are represented by the English Graduate Student Association.

Visit the English department’s website for more information about programs, faculty, and up-to-date course listings.