Top Doctoral Programs in English (Top 30)

The University of California, Berkeley’s English Ph.D. program has long been considered one of the most prestigious and competitive graduate programs in English in the United States. According to the U.S. News & World Report 2001 graduate school rankings, Berkeley was tied for the first position with three other elite institutions: Harvard University, Stanford University, and Yale University. This distinction underscores the program’s long-standing reputation for academic rigor, innovative scholarship, and a commitment to cultivating literary analysis and research among its graduate students. Berkeley’s English program offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature, theory, and critical methods, preparing students for careers in academia, research, and advanced literary analysis.

The program at Berkeley is renowned for its intellectual diversity and its emphasis on cross-disciplinary scholarship, drawing upon various schools of literary theory, historical contexts, and critical inquiry. Students enrolled in the Berkeley English Ph.D. program engage with a wide variety of literary traditions, exploring canonical and non-canonical texts alike while contributing to the study of literature from historical, cultural, and theoretical perspectives. The program’s flexibility allows students to tailor their academic pursuits to their interests, emphasizing innovative research and interdisciplinary connections that bridge literary studies, philosophy, history, and cultural theory. With its distinguished faculty, Berkeley offers students access to some of the most accomplished and influential scholars in the field of English and literary studies.

In contrast, the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (UWM) represents another significant institution for graduate studies in English, although it is comparatively lower in rank. According to the same U.S. News & World Report 2001 rankings, UWM was tied for 46th out of 80 top-ranked English programs in the United States for doctoral studies. While UWM does not occupy the same elite tier as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, or Berkeley, the institution has established itself as a respected academic hub for those pursuing advanced studies in English literature, creative writing, and composition. UWM offers a diverse and multidisciplinary program through its Department of English, providing students with a variety of options and pathways to specialize in their respective interests.

The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee’s Department of English offers both master’s and doctoral degree programs in multiple areas of specialization, allowing students to engage in a variety of intellectual pursuits. The program is structured to support a diverse range of research interests and career paths. Among the areas of specialization available at UWM are Literature and Cultural Theory, Creative Writing, Rhetoric and Composition, Professional Writing, and Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies. These areas represent a broad and interdisciplinary approach to English studies, reflecting the department's commitment to addressing contemporary trends and methodologies in literary studies.

Students enrolled in UWM’s English programs benefit from the department's focus on both traditional literary analysis and innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to modern trends in literature and media. The availability of creative writing as a specialization speaks to the university's recognition of the importance of practice-based research and the exploration of narrative construction and form as part of the study of English. Similarly, the emphasis on rhetoric, composition, and professional writing reflects the program’s responsiveness to the evolving needs of contemporary communication and scholarship, offering students practical skill sets that complement their advanced studies.

The comparative position of Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale at the very top of the U.S. News & World Report rankings highlights the prestige of their doctoral programs and the high level of research productivity and scholarly inquiry expected of their students. These institutions represent the most elite graduate programs in English, with comprehensive resources, distinguished faculty members, and a commitment to maintaining high academic standards. The shared first-place ranking of these institutions suggests their similar strengths in areas such as literary theory, American and British literature, critical theory, and interdisciplinary approaches to English studies.

Meanwhile, UWM’s position as tied for 46th in the rankings shows that while it may not have the same prestige as these elite schools, it remains a strong option for students pursuing a well-rounded and interdisciplinary graduate education in English. UWM's program offers opportunities for students interested in exploring not only literary history and theory but also creative writing, media studies, and rhetoric, emphasizing the breadth of the discipline as it intersects with technological change and shifting media landscapes.

For prospective students, these rankings reflect not just prestige but also a variety of program strengths and unique opportunities. While programs like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley emphasize highly theoretical scholarship and a wide range of interdisciplinary methodologies, UWM offers flexibility in both academic study and applied fields such as creative writing and media studies. Both pathways provide valuable preparation for careers in teaching, research, publishing, and other professional endeavors, depending on students' specific areas of interest and academic goals.

English Program Ranking - Ph.D. (Top 30 list):
1. Harvard University
1. Stanford University
1. University of California - Berkeley
1. Yale University
5. University of Chicago
6. Cornell University
6. Princeton University
8. Columbia University
8. Johns Hopkins University
10. University of Pennsylvania
11. University of California - Los Angeles
11. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
11. University of Virginia
14. Brown University
15. Duke University
15. University of California - Irvine
17. University of Wisconsin - Madison
18. Northwestern University
18. Rutgers State University - New Brunswick
18. University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign
18. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
18. University of Texas - Austin
23. Indiana University - Bloomington
23. University of Washington
25. New York University
26. CUNY Graduate School and University Center
27. Pennsylvania State University - University Park
27. University of Iowa
27. Vanderbilt University
30. Emory University
30. University of California - Davis
30. University of California - Santa Barbara
30. University of Pittsburgh
Source: US News and World Report (2001)