Literature Graduate Programs
Join our community of scholars, creative writers, and translators who share a commitment to transnational and interdisciplinary approaches to literary study and practice.
Our graduate programs in literature provide a flexible context to pursue research across a wide range of literary traditions, critical approaches, and theoretical debates. In addition to coursework in literary studies, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in creative writing and/or literary translation workshops as well as seminars in other disciplines such as film studies, philosophy, and the visual and performing arts.
Doctor of Philosophy in Literature
Students pursuing the PhD in literature may, if their coursework supports it, submit a translation or creative writing project as part of their dissertation.
| Program Type | Doctorate |
| Format | On campus; full- and part-time options are available |
| Estimated Time to Complete | 5-7 years |
| Semester Credit Hours | 60 |
Coursework
Forty-five semester credit hours of which at least 24 are taken as organized graduate-level courses in Literature (LIT).
Required Courses: 36 semester credit hours
LIT 6300 Proseminar in Literary Studies
ARHM 6310 Team-Taught Interdisciplinary Seminar
LIT 7300 Academic Writing Workshop
18 semester credit hours of organized graduate-level LIT courses
9 semester credit hours of LIT 8305 Field Exam Preparation
Elective Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Nine semester credit hours of electives in any graduate-level courses.
Foreign Language
Students in all PhD programs in the Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology are expected to demonstrate intermediate-level reading proficiency in a foreign language (equivalent to two years of foreign-language study at the undergraduate level). Students must fulfill the language requirement before scheduling doctoral field examinations.
As part of its approval of a dissertation proposal, the Graduate Studies Committee will consider the appropriateness of a candidate’s language preparation for the research or creative project. Faculty members chairing field examinations and dissertations should ensure that students possess the necessary language proficiency to carry out their proposed doctoral research.
The requirement can be satisfied upon enrollment in a PhD program by demonstrating evidence of one or more of the following:
- Completion of a second-semester, intermediate-level foreign language course or higher (e.g., an undergraduate literature course in a foreign language) with a grade of B or better.
- Completion of a graduate course taught in a foreign language or with more than 25% of its required readings in a foreign language.
- An undergraduate major, graduate degree, or certificate in a foreign language.
- Successful completion of graded coursework at a foreign university at which the primary language of instruction is not English.
- A degree in any discipline from a foreign university at which the primary language of instruction is not English.
The requirement can be satisfied during graduate study at UT Dallas in one of the following ways:
- Completion of a second-semester, intermediate-level foreign language course or higher at UT Dallas or elsewhere with a grade of B or better.
- Successful completion of LIT 6326: Translation Workshop with a grade of B or better.
- Successful completion of one of the following: HUMA 6330: French Workshop; HUMA 6331: Spanish Workshop; HUMA 6333: German Workshop with a grade of B or better.
- Passing a written translation exam in an approved foreign language at UT Dallas.
Doctoral Field Examinations
The doctoral field examination consists of two written sections and an oral defense. The examining committee, composed of three members of the faculty (at least two of whom are faculty in the Literature Program), oversees definition and preparation of the two broad examination fields. Initial committee formation must take place during the semester in which students complete thirty-six semester credit hours of coursework, which will typically be followed by nine semester credit hours of LIT 8305: Field Exam Preparation. Students complete their doctoral field examination ideally during the semester in which they complete 45 semester credit hours, but no later than the semester in which they complete 54 semester credit hours.
Dissertation
Students are formally advanced to PhD candidacy when they have successfully completed the doctoral field examinations and received final approval for dissertation topics. Students should submit a preliminary dissertation proposal for consideration during the oral section of the doctoral field examination. After that examination, a four-person supervising committee is formed, normally from the examining committee plus an additional faculty member, to oversee dissertation work. The supervising committee must then approve a formal dissertation proposal before the student submits it to the Graduate Studies Committee for final approval.
Each candidate then writes a doctoral dissertation, which is supervised and defended according to general University regulations.
Fact Sheet
Scholarships & Awards
Master of Arts in Literature
The MA in Literature can provide you with a flexible context to pursue research across a wide range of literary traditions, critical approaches and theoretical debates. In addition to coursework in literary studies, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in creative writing and/or literary translation workshops as well as seminars in other disciplines, such as film studies, philosophy and the visual and performing arts.
Choose between the professional option (coursework only and no foreign language requirements) and the research option (coursework with foreign language requirements plus a portfolio). If you choose the research option, you may, if your coursework supports it, submit a translation or creative writing project as part of your portfolio.
| Program Type | Master’s |
| Format | On campus; full- and part-time options are available |
| Estimated Time to Complete | 2-3 years |
| Semester Credit Hours | 33 |
Coursework
Thirty-three semester credit hours of which at least 18 semester credit hours are taken as organized graduate-level courses in Literature (LIT).
Required Courses: 21 semester credit hours
LIT 6300: Proseminar in Literary Studies
ARHM 6310 Team-Taught Interdisciplinary Seminar
15 semester credit hours of organized graduate-level LIT courses
Free Electives: 12 semester credit hours
Twelve semester credit hours of electives in any graduate-level courses.
Professional Option
Students in the professional option must complete 33 semester credit hours of coursework. They are not required to complete a portfolio or meet the foreign language requirement.
Research Option
Students in the research option must complete 33 semester credit hours of coursework, fulfill a foreign language requirement, and complete a portfolio.
Foreign Language
The research option MA degree requires demonstrated proficiency in an approved foreign language. The requirement can be satisfied upon enrollment in the MA program by demonstrating evidence of one or more of the following:
- Completion of a second-semester, intermediate-level foreign language course or higher (e.g., an undergraduate literature course in a foreign language) with a grade of B or better.
- Completion of a graduate course taught in a foreign language or with more than 25% of its required readings in a foreign language.
- An undergraduate major, graduate degree, or certificate in a foreign language.
- Successful completion of graded coursework at a foreign university at which the primary language of instruction is not English.
- A degree in any discipline from a foreign university at which the primary language of instruction is not English.
The requirement can be satisfied during graduate study at UT Dallas in one of the following ways:
- Completion of a second-semester, intermediate-level foreign language course or higher at UT Dallas or elsewhere with a grade of B or better.
- Successful completion of LIT 6326: Translation Workshop with a grade of B or better.
- Successful completion of one of the following: HUMA 6330: French Workshop; HUMA 6331: Spanish Workshop; HUMA 6333: German Workshop with a grade of B or better.
- Passing a written translation exam in an approved foreign language at UT Dallas.
Portfolio
Two research papers or a creative project plus a scholarly essay originating in or completed for graduate courses are revised and presented in a portfolio for evaluation by a master’s committee.
Fact Sheet
Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing
The Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on the theory and practice of creating literary works.
The certificate consists of four graduate creative writing workshops, which can be completed in one genre or in more than one genre.
More information on this certificate can be found in the University Catalog.
Graduate Certificate in Literary Translation
The Graduate Certificate in Literary Translation focuses on the history, theory, and practice of literary translation. Students will learn to study and produce literary translations.
The certificate consists of four courses: two foundational courses in the theory and practice of translation; one of two advanced courses in translation studies; and a seminar or workshop related to the student’s area of research.
More information on this certificate can be found in the University Catalog.
Program Highlights
Research Opportunities
Our graduate students conduct and present research national and internationally. See graduate student accomplishments.
Faculty Mentors
Our faculty members will help you gain the knowledge, skills and support you need for a rewarding career. Meet Literature faculty.
Dr. Nomi Stone
Assistant professor of literature and creative writing
“I love the hybridity and cross-pollination at UT Dallas. I’m an anthropologist and a poet — a scholar who also writes creatively — so this is just the exact right fit for me. Braiding these things together is my passion. I haven’t seen a place that does collaboration as well as this place. I see a real investment in bringing seemingly disparate things together.”
Contact Information
Dr. Charles Hatfield
Associate Professor and Program Head
Phone: 972-883-2780
Email: charles.hatfield@utdallas.edu
Kelly Erb
Graduate Academic Advisor
Phone: 972-883-6176
Email: kelly.erb@utdallas.edu
Office: JO 4.508C
Graduate Advising
Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
The University of Texas at Dallas, JO31
800 W. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
Phone: 972-883-4706
Email: ahtgradvising@utdallas.edu
Office of Admission and Enrollment
800 W. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
972-883-2270 or 1-800-889-2443
admission@utdallas.edu
utdallas.edu/enroll