English Doctoral Program Online

  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • College of Arts & Letters
  • Department of English

ODU's PhD in English integrates writing, rhetoric, discourse, technology, and textual studies. The course work and research opportunities appeal to those pursuing an academic career as well as professionals with careers outside the classroom.

Your research will examine texts in a variety of overlapping and sometimes competing language-based worlds. You'll focus on texts and media when it comes to form, purpose, technology, audience, cultural location, and communities.

Focus your studies by choosing two of four emphasis areas from:

  1. Literary and cultural studies
  2. Writing, rhetoric, and discourse studies
  3. Technology and media studies
  4. A student-designed emphasis

When you graduate, you will earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree in English.

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  • Most Affordable Online PhD in English, 2023
    - AcademicInfluence.com

    • 48 credit hours

    All part-time students must attend two Summer Doctoral Institutes at ODU's main campus. This satisfies the residency requirements for this degree.

    Contact us to talk with an advisor to determine if you have credits that will transfer. 

  • Participate in live, regularly scheduled online class meetings and access course materials online from any location. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

    This program requires attendance at two Summer Doctoral Institutes at ODU's main campus. Each institute is two weeks long and is held in July.

    • Writing/Editing
    • Education
    • Publishing
    • Advertising
    • Public Relations
    • Business/Industry
    • Law
    • Digital Design
    • New Media
  • In-state Virginia Residents
    $599 per credit hour*
    Out-of-state Students
    $623 per credit hour

    Rates are effective Fall 2023 and subject to change.
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.

  • If you don't have some significant background in an English-related field, the department encourages you to take master’s level coursework in English before applying. Detailed information about admission to the PhD in English program is available from the department's website.

  • You may be able to take up to four courses (12 credit hours) as a non-degree graduate student, before you are accepted into a specific degree program. 

    Please contact us to discuss this option with an expert advisor.