Doctor of Philosophy in English - Rhetoric and Composition

The Department of English comprises undergraduate and graduate programs in literature in English, the M.F.A. Program in Writing, The Master of English Program, Literary Journalism, and Composition. Among our faculty members are theorists and literary historians, scholars of rhetoric and experts in composition, journalists, writers of fiction, and poets.

Students in the Department explore a variety of models for literary analysis. They write stories and poems. They produce journalism. In every case, our students read and think about writing: its history, its changing functions, and its place in today's culture. The major prepares students for a world in which informed analysis of language and forceful writing continue to be crucial.
The Ph.D. program in English at UCI is the #1 department for literary and critical theory nationally (US News and World Report). The research and teaching of department faculty represents and cuts across a range of fields, historical periods, and methodological approaches. Our graduates have gone on to faculty positions at a range of nationally ranked colleges and universities, including, in recent years, the University of Michigan, Tulane, Rice, Clemson, BYU, and Connecticut College.

Hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognized academic institution with degree standards equivalent to those of the University of California
Admission to the Ph.D. Program in English is determined by careful review of the applicants prior academic performance, writing sample, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. Only the GRE general test is required for admission to the Ph.D. in English. Admission is for the following Fall Quarter only. The application and supporting documents (transcripts, writing sample, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores) are required by the deadline.
Writing Sample: One of the most important components of an application is the writing sample. This should be a critically oriented piece that illustrates an applicant's ability to do scholarly research and interpret literary or cultural texts.
GRE Scores,
Grades: A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.50 in the last two years of undergraduate study is recommended to be competitive.
Transcripts: For application review purposes only, scan and upload copies of transcripts for all institutions attended since high school. In the online application, you will be prompted to upload your scanned documents. Please upload both the front and back sides of the transcript. Uploaded transcripts should be recent and include the following: your name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits and grading legend. UCI reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admission process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found. Official transcripts will be requested if and when you are admitted and decide to attend UCI. Do not send official transcripts until this time, unless you are requested to do so.
TOEFL iBT minimum score of 80
IELTS - An overall minimum score of 7.0 for admission, with a score of no less than 6.0 on any individual module.
Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0