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USC - PhD Creative Writing and Literature
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3501 Trousdale Parkway THH 431 Los Angeles California, United States 90089-0354 Phone: 213-821-0477 Email: [email protected]
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Usc dornsife majors.
The Humanities explore the human condition. These majors pertain to everything and anything derived from human creation such as art, literature, language, philosophy, and religion. Through the Humanities, you will be able to think critically about cultures, histories, and ideologies around you so that you can both understand the world around you and contribute to positive change.
This multidisciplinary major is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the historical, cultural, social, and political experience of African Americans, with a particular emphasis on the development and culture of the African American communities in California and the West, as well as on both historical and contemporary effects of global issues on African American communities.
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The interdisciplinary major in American Popular Culture helps students to assess from a variety of perspectives the icons and ideas they encounter every day, to think critically about the images and assertions of the mass media and commercial culture, and to see the experience of popular culture as it interacts with questions of gender and ethnicity in the American context.
American Studies and Ethnicity offers challenging and diverse opportunities to study the peoples, cultures, and institutions of the United States in interdisciplinary courses. Combining the study of history with literature, the arts, and the social sciences, American Studies and Ethnicity seeks to bring together these various disciplines and modes of inquiry in a common project: the effort to understand the diverse peoples and cultures that have composed the United States and to provide critical perspectives on the words, deeds, myths, and material practices that have shaped this country in its full regional, ethnic, class, and gender diversity. This major will be particularly appropriate for students interested in pursuing careers in law, journalism, government, foreign service, social work, international business, public administration, and education.
Archaeology is a way of understanding the rich record of past human societies through the study of their material cultures. The Archaeology degree is ideal for students with an interest in how the past informs the present and who desire a deep time perspective on global trends. This interdisciplinary major allows students to choose courses in Anthropology, Art History, Classics, Religion, Spatial Sciences, Environmental Science, Human Biology, and Chemistry. Students will acquire an overview of the history of archaeology, exposure to the theoretical perspectives, and hands-on experience using basic and cutting-edge field technologies.
This major blends the study of art with the study of culture. The curriculum is designed to guarantee a general knowledge of both Western and Eastern art and to offer a variety of upper-division courses in specialized areas. Students are exposed to a diversity of theoretical approaches and encouraged to sharpen their critical and conceptual thinking.
This multidisciplinary major is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the historical, cultural, social, and political experience of Asian Pacific Americans, with a particular emphasis on the development and culture of the Asian American communities in California and the West, as well as the effects of both historical and contemporary global issues on Asian American communities.
This major combines background in relevant languages, usually Russian, German or Polish, with coursework in international relations and the history, culture, and politics of the region. Those who master its history and politics, and its economic, cultural, and linguistic diversity, will be well positioned for fellowships, graduate work, and business or analytical careers centered on this fascinating region.
This multidisciplinary major is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the historical, cultural, social, and political experience of Chicanos and Latinos with a particular emphasis on the development and culture of the Chicano/Latino communities in California and the West, as well as on both historical and contemporary effects of global issues on Chicano/Latino communities.
This major gives students an understanding of cultures, languages, and literatures of ancient Greece, Rome, and the Mediterranean world. It is a broadly interdisciplinary field focused mainly on ancient Greece and Rome, but students also study the impact of classical cultures on later societies and the interactions among various cultures.
This major studies literary works across linguistic, national, and historical boundaries. It takes a comparative perspective on different literary traditions as well as other arts such as painting, photography, film, and music. Comparatists also study the nature of literature across and between different language cultures including French, Spanish, Italian, and many more.
This major bridges the fields of Latin American Studies (focusing on the history and cultures of Central and South America) and Latino Studies (focusing on the experience of Chicano/a and Latino/a communities in the United States). Students acquire interdisciplinary perspectives on the indigenous and transnational histories, cultures, and social issues of the Americas.
All writing is creative — fiction or fact, prose or poetry, with sight or sound — and words matter. Stories make us human, and studying English with an emphasis in Creative Writing is a way of knowing our stories. Students explore literatures, genres, and cultures through the ages and use that knowledge to enhance their writing.
This interdisciplinary major combines language study with history, social sciences, and the humanities. The program is ideal for students who seek an understanding of the key facets of East Asia’s place in our globalized world and the ability to analyze the influence of globalization in China, Japan, and Korea. This is an attractive major for students who want to make East Asia a part of their personal and professional futures. It also provides a strong foundation for students pursuing additional training in graduate or professional programs as well as those seeking careers in public service, journalism, international business and law, government, and the private sector.
This major provides students with a well-rounded education on East Asia by focusing on the study of the languages, literatures, cultures, and thought of China, Japan, and Korea. Students typically concentrate on one East Asian language and culture.
This major offers a broad range of courses in English, American, and Anglophone literature of all periods and genres, and in related areas such as creative and expository writing, literature and visual arts, ethnic literature and cultural studies, the history of the English language and of literary criticism, and literary and cultural theory.
French is a global language, spoken by over 200 million people on five continents, and studying French opens doors to a world of literature, film, art, and thought of extraordinary richness. As a student of French at USC, you will have the opportunity to learn not just about the culture, literature, and society of France within the context of European history, but also to work closely with specialists in Francophone North Africa and the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia as you explore topics ranging from Renaissance culture to French hip-hop; from to critical theory to Islam in France.
The Gender and Sexuality Studies major focuses on the roles of gender and sexuality throughout historical eras and all domains of our contemporary lives. Our faculty teach across the humanities, social sciences, arts, and the professions, and they mentor students to analyze gender and sexuality as they intersect with other domains of power, including race/ethnicity, class, religion, age, ability, and national status. Majoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies prepares students for graduate school in the social sciences and the humanities as well as in law, business and education. In addition, students are prepared for work in governmental and non-governmental organizations, communications and the media, arts and public service.
This major explores the richness of the Italian language and its culture, literature, cinema, history, and arts. Students work closely with faculty on individually designed projects which examine Italy’s dynamic agendas from the Renaissance to today’s global world.
This major is offered jointly by the USC School of Religion and the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, an independent college adjacent to the USC campus. It provides the opportunity for in-depth study of Jewish thought, ethics, history, literature, tradition, spirituality, and women’s studies using approaches developed through the academic study of religion. Whether you are interested in going into business or education, politics or social work, a Jewish Studies education will provide you with the analytical and conceptual skills you need to move yourself forward.
This interdisciplinary major underscores the global reach and import of the nations in the Americas, Europe, and Africa in which Spanish and Portuguese are spoken. Students in this major take courses taught in Spanish about literature, cinema, culture, and history. Students are also able to take courses from other disciplines such as political science, art history, and anthropology, to name a few. Students learn to think critically about the cultural, political, and historical questions involved in the study of Latin American and Iberian societies.
This innovative major lets students study in many disciplines and specialize where they choose. Nineteen departments contribute to develop and evaluate storytelling in fiction, poetry, song, theatre, cinema, television, and other platforms. Cultural and historical understanding of narrative, combined with practical techniques of construction, prepare students for a range of opportunities from literature and performing arts to any profession that depends upon narrative.
This major is designed to acquaint students with the fundamental problems of Western thought and introduce them to the concepts and techniques necessary for independent philosophical thinking. It provides a broadening perspective for various areas of specialization in the natural and social sciences and in literature and the arts.
The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics major acquaints students with the historical, conceptual, moral, and political foundations of the chief institutions and practices of our shared political and economic lives. These include private business, free markets, the rule of law, constitutions, institutions of democratic government, administrative agencies, educational institutions, and more. Using the fundamentals of economic, political, and philosophical analysis, students address the political, economic, legal, and moral dimensions of social problems within a broad context of humanistic concerns. This major leaves students with a wide range of options for more specialized study or careers in law, business, economics. or public service.
This interdisciplinary major combines, in a systematic and structured way, basic education in philosophy, political theory, and elements of law. It may be of particular interest to students contemplating post-graduate work in law, those interested in a career in public service or politics, and those attracted by the rigor of philosophy and its attention to foundational issues who are also interested in politics and law. It is designed to foster an understanding and appreciation of some of the major milestones in the history of Western thought, to introduce students to leading approaches to ethical, legal, and political problems, and to acquaint them with one or more broad area of philosophical thought that bears on these issues.
This major explores religion on a global, transhistorical scale, from the cultural world of ancient Christianity to the portrayal of Buddhism in contemporary American cinema. The department views religious studies not so much as a discipline, but rather as a field of complex encounters, bringing multiple perspectives — history, sociology, cultural studies, anthropology, and textual analysis — to bear on a wide range of religious traditions and practices.
This major combines thorough preparation in the Russian language with the study of Russian literature, art, and culture. Particular emphasis is placed on developments in contemporary Russia, and it offers students the opportunity to witness the dramatic renaissance of one of the world’s major cultures as it redefines itself and its place in the world.
This major focuses not only on language, linguistics, and literature, but also related areas including cultural and literary theory, film studies, the culture of food, and the acquisition and uses of Spanish and English in Los Angeles. The program benefits from USC’s location in Los Angeles, a Spanish-speaking metropolis and an ideal site for thinking about the planet’s transcultural condition.
This major allows students with a broad interest in the Humanities to explore disciplines within this area before selecting one as a major.
Natural Sciences
The Natural Sciences seek to explain phenomena that occur in the biological, physical, and chemical realms of nature on Earth and in the universe. This group of majors seeks to apply tools such as mathematics to better understand all aspects of the world around us. The Natural Sciences utilize scientific methods, empirical data, and research to test hypotheses and propose theories. Natural Science majors encourage curiosity and wonder, as well as pursuit of the answer to the most fundamental question: Why? The Natural Sciences provide a solid foundation for science practitioners as well as individuals seeking advanced degrees in related fields.
This major is designed to give students an understanding of essential areas used in the application of mathematics. It allows students to use upper-division electives to prepare themselves for specific career options, including work with technological firms, the insurance industry, government services, or financial/investment institutions. Courses are offered in many areas and are taught by a faculty of research mathematicians.
This major allows students to work with scientists who explore the structure of matter and how it organizes itself by observing the most elemental forms of nature and how they behave in both inner and outer space. USC Dornsife astronomers work with the Wilson Observatory (one of the world’s largest interferometer telescopic arrays for stellar research), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the High Degree Helioseismology Network.
This major allows students to call two departments home—the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. This partnership results in an interdisciplinary major meeting the needs of students with broad interests in the sciences, or those preparing for a research career in a biomedical field or a clinical career in a health profession. It combines core foundational backgrounds from chemical, biological, and molecular sciences to offer an integrated program focusing on the chemistry and molecular mechanisms of biology.
This major gives students the chance to study the natural world to better understand living systems—from the biochemical to genetic and from cells to global biodiversity. The department has research faculty with specialties in three disciplines: marine environmental biology, molecular biology, or human and evolutionary biology. Students may also declare a Bachelor of Science degree focused on one of four areas: Biotechnology; Ecology, Evolution, and Environment; Marine Biology; or Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.
This major provides a solid foundation in both the biological sciences and the fundamental concepts of classical and quantum physics through a variety of tools that include abstract thought, experimentation and observation, data analysis, and mathematical modeling. This foundation prepares students for further study in graduate and professional schools and for careers as scientists or engineers who will participate in the creation of the science and technology of the future.
This major provides students with core instruction and excellent research opportunities, including the opportunity to collaborate with scientists in the Chemistry department. Students may select a Bachelor of Arts degree or one of four Bachelor of Science degrees, giving them the chance to focus in the areas of Research, Chemical Nanoscience, or Chemical Biology.
This major is designed for students with an interest in applying mathematical and computational methodologies towards understanding the structure and functioning of the nervous system. It provides progressive training in interdisciplinary and inter-faculty aspects of neuroscience and serves as a foundation for students interested in pursuing post-graduate education or career opportunities in technically advanced occupations.
This major includes a spectrum of disciplines focused on understanding the processes that influence the tectonics and environment of the planet, on using this understanding to read the record of earth history written in rocks and sediments, and on developing models that can be used to predict future changes due to natural phenomena and recent perturbations caused by humans.
The major combines courses from the Mathematics department and the Economics department to give students an intense grounding in economic theory, mathematical methods, probability, and statistics. Emphasis is placed on practical economic research, such as how economics can be used to better understand contracts and competition within industries. This major particularly benefits students interested in pursuing Economics at a PhD level.
This major couples work targeted at the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) with an emphasis on resource sustainability and conservation. Students measure the health impacts of physical, chemical, and biological agents in the environment and determine how they can be controlled. They also examine sustainable approaches to problems related to areas such as energy, water, and transportation, and help develop strategies for protecting overall health in the face of continued global development.
The Environmental Studies (ENVS) degrees are built on specialized natural and social science courses and a set of interdisciplinary courses focusing on sustainability. The social science core courses focus on environmental problems from political, legal, economic and international perspectives. Specially designed one-semester surveys of biology, earth science and chemistry provide the natural science competency for subsequent policy or science advanced course work in environmental studies. Two concentrations are available in the Environmental Studies BA degree: Science and Management; and Policy and Management. Four concentrations are available in the Environmental Studies BS degrees; Sustainability and Society; Oceans and People; Climate and Environment; and Environmental Policy.
This major is designed for students seeking a focused course of study in human anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and/or evolution. Various emphases are available for the BS and BA degrees, including: Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Health and Disease, Human Evolutionary Biology, and Human Performance.
This major introduces students to many mathematical theories and their applications to engineering, computer science, finance, economics, physics, and computational genomics. This combination of theoretical and practical education gives the department a unique energy. Students use electives to prepare themselves for a specific field, whether in industry, teaching, or advanced graduate research.
Neuroscience majors develop an appreciation for the breadth of knowledge that spans the array of neuroscience disciplines, including molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral, cognitive, and computational neuroscience. Students learn about how the brain and behavior can contribute to the resolution of ethical, social, and environmental issues. This major is characterized by collaborative interactions between faculty and students working at many different levels of analysis. It includes faculty from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Gerontology, Medicine, and Pharmacy.
This major provides a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts of classical and quantum physics through a variety of tools that include abstract thought, experimentation & observation, data analysis, and mathematical modeling. This foundation prepares students for further study in graduate and professional schools and for careers as scientists or engineers who will participate in the creation of the science and technology of the future.
This major is intended for students with dual interests in physics and computer science who wish to complete the essential courses for both majors within four years. It prepares students for further study in graduate school and for careers as scientists or engineers in computer-related fields who will participate in the creation of the science and technology of the future.
This interdisciplinary major bridges the space between biology, chemistry, data science, and engineering. It allows students interested in studying the life sciences to achieve a fuller background in the quantitative sciences, including computer science and statistics courses that are essential for modern data-driven biological science. The Quantitative Biology major is designed to train students to be both high-level biologists and high-level data analysts. Students will take an introductory seminar, participate in undergraduate research, and write an honors thesis.
This major allows students with a broad interest in the Natural Sciences to explore disciplines within this area before selecting one as a major.
Social Sciences
The Social Sciences explore human society, culture, and civilization through the study of social, cultural, political, environmental, and psychological relationships. Through the Social Sciences, you will be able to think critically about the impacts that human groups have on one another so that you can better understand the decisions that individuals make and work toward building stronger communities.
Anthropology is the comparative study of human culture and society, the study of how individuals and communities are shaped by their traditions, values, and institutions. It is the core academic discipline in which to learn about culture and behavior in a global context. This major encourages students to become involved in ethnographic research and fieldwork while gaining a firm theoretical foundation in anthropology. Undergraduates are able to take a number of courses that may focus on aspects of visual anthropology and are encouraged to include visual media in their senior field methods practicum.
This major aims to train students in a comprehensive set of skills necessary to understand how economic actors make decisions in real-life settings, to understand how these decisions affect economic and social outcomes, and to design interventions to improve these outcomes. Students will study human cognition, decision-making, and how individual behavior affects outcomes in markets.
This interdisciplinary major focuses on the mind and cognition from a variety of perspectives and approaches. The core and electives courses draw from Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Psychology. Since this degree includes a wide variety of subjects, students can mold this major to fit their particular interests within Cognitive Science.
This major combines economic theory with practical models to address concepts across many disciplines. Students explore the economics of happiness and the economics of uncertainty by examining analytical models of broad phenomena. Emphasis is placed on practical economic research in areas such as healthcare, law, and the environment.
An interdisciplinary major that brings together science, policy, and landscape architecture, Geodesign challenges students to use spatial information set in the context of the built environment and policy. Using design and location-based data, students develop skills that connect place, space, and time to foster collaboration, build consensus, reach decisions, and take actions that create resilient and healthy environments.
Global Geodesign is a pioneering major to prepare students with the integrative ability to analyze the role of place, space, and time in order to address issues of environmental sustainability and human well-being on neighborhood, regional, and global scales in multidisciplinary and multi-dimensional ways. Students engage with programs at the Amsterdam University College/Vrije University Amsterdam consortium in the Netherlands and Peking University in China to undertake coursework, research-based field work, intensive studios, and a rich extracurricular program.
This interdisciplinary major includes a study abroad experience and allows students to select from a number of different global regions, using research tools from fields including political science, international relations, history, foreign languages and religion. Global Studies challenges students to examine their place within a complex globalized world, and to explore how they can act to make a difference.
This major integrates science, social science, and humanities coursework along with the critical thinking concepts and field experience needed in order to educate a broadly-thinking and well-prepared medical student. Students in this major will understand how psychological, cultural, social, economic, ethical, and biological factors influence our lives and, most importantly, our health.
The History major offers students a means to encounter the peoples and cultures of the past and develop critical thinking, research, and writing skills essential for understanding the present. The program exposes students to underlying connections between the study of past times and places and the roots of that study in human concerns about values, identities, issues, and policies. In their lower-division courses, majors will have the opportunity to explore the histories of different cultures or ideas across time. Students at the upper-division level hone their knowledge of different cultures, societies, and ideologies, and will apply that knowledge to independent research through a capstone course.
This innovative major uses critical thinking, geospatial reasoning, and analytical techniques to provide decision makers with informed recommendations and strategies addressing human security challenges. It provides the scientific and technical foundation for evaluating security around the world, creating and gathering geospatial data, and designing solutions that maintain or promote human safety and well-being. Students will engage in a multi-disciplinary approach that combines international relations, public policy, and the spatial sciences.
Students in this major will combine scholarship in international relations with technical expertise in information technology which will prepare them for the rapidly emerging field of cyber intelligence. This interdisciplinary approach helps students develop policy-based and technical skills that can be applied to the intelligence community and is well-suited for those who plan to seek advanced degrees.
Prospective leaders in government, business, and law must comprehend the impact of global trends on their professional lives. The International Relations major equips you with essential conceptual tools for success in the dynamic future. Ideal for those aspiring to join the public policy or business sectors, it serves as a valuable foundation for advanced studies in foreign affairs, law, public administration, public policy, urban planning, political science, and business.
International Relations majors with a focus on Global Business will delve into the analytical aspects of state and international relations within the global economic landscape. This involves a blend of IR courses and foreign language study with a specialization in International Finance, Global Marketing, or Global Management by completing courses in the Marshall School of Business. This major is well-suited for those seeking a comprehensive blend of international relations and business skills. Graduates will be prepared for careers in the public or private sector, or for advanced studies in business, law, political economy, public policy, and international relations.
The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and the Global Economy provides students with comprehensive interdisciplinary training, seamlessly integrating the realms of international relations and economics. This program is designed to equip students with a robust skill set, preparing them for diverse career paths spanning foreign policy, international development, international finance, and political risk analysis. It is also well suited for students who plan to seek advanced degrees in the social sciences.
Law, History, and Culture is designed for students drawn to the humanistic study of law and culture, as well as those who intend to pursue a law degree. It offers students an interdisciplinary education in legal institutions, languages, and processes that are central to social, cultural, and political developments in the past and present, and play a critical role in shaping our most basic concepts and categories of thought and identity. Students will gain theoretical and analytical perspectives on ethical, political, and social issues relevant to law as they explore specific legal issues from a humanistic perspective.
This major emphasizes the study of language both as an abstract system and in its psychological and social contexts. It focuses on how the human mind structures, processes, and acquires language as well as how similar communication goals are met by diverse means in the languages of the world.
This interdisciplinary major, offered through the Department of Middle East Studies (MDES), highlights the department’s focus on economic sustainability and global cultural flows. It offers students interested in exploring the richness and complexity of the Middle East a framework for developing expertise and understanding wide-ranging critical perspectives.
This interdisciplinary major focuses on the roots of social conflict, theories and methods for understanding them, and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profits that address them. Through investigations of everyday interactions to explorations of larger economic, political, and social structures, students will gain problem solving skills aimed at protecting the environment and lessening the suffering of people around the world.
This major explores the intersection of economics with politics in domestic and international contexts. It prepares students for engagement with global and regional questions that require an analysis of economic and political phenomena and provides a useful background for a wide variety of entry positions in the public and private sectors.
The Political Science major encompasses fundamental theories and concepts in political science, equipping students with expertise in American Politics, Comparative Politics, Law and Public Policy, and Political Theory. Numerous students enhance their USC studies by participating in study abroad programs, internships, and engaging in programs focused on state and federal government in Sacramento, CA, and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the department features the acclaimed Trial Advocacy Program, a multi-semester initiative that prepares participants for law school and other post-graduate pursuits.
This major studies the processes of human behavior and how we develop and change over time. The neural and physiological underpinnings and effects of environmental and social influences are also examined. Students take courses in multiple areas of psychology (biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social) as well as in research design, measurement, and statistical methods. This program provides opportunities for students to pursue a variety of academic and professional interests after graduation, such as psychology, medicine, law, and business.
This major allows students to see the myriad interconnections between politics, culture, economics, big power structures and everyday interactions, persistent social inequalities, and the practices of intimate life. The greater Los Angeles area provides a natural laboratory for studying such sociological themes as race relations, work and the workplace, the family in a changing society, immigration, civic engagement, and the criminal justice system.
This major allows students with a broad interest in the Social Sciences to explore disciplines within this area before selecting one as a major.
Humanities minors
| American Studies and Ethnicity | Archaeology | Archaeology of California |
| Art History | Chinese for the Professions | Classical Greek |
| Classical Perspectives | Classics | Comparative Literature |
| Contemplative Studies | Cultural Anthropology | Cultures and Politics of the Pacific Rim |
| East Asian Area Studies | East Asian Languages and Cultures | English |
| Folklore and Popular Culture | French | Gender and Sexuality Studies |
| Gender and Social Justice | German | Italian |
| Jewish American Studies | Jewish Studies | Korean Studies |
| Latin | Latin American Studies | LGBTQ Studies |
| Luzo-Brazilian Studies | Modern Art Markets and Ethics | Narrative Structure |
| Native American Studies | Philosophy | Philosophy of Law, Politics and Economics |
| Race, Ethnicity and Politics | Religion | Russian |
| Russian Area Studies | South Asian Studies | Spanish |
| Thematic Approaches to Humanities and Society | User Experience | Visual Culture |
Natural Science minors
| Astronomy | Biology and Business | Biology of Human Movement |
| Chemistry | Climate Change, Stewardship and Resiliency | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics |
| Environmental Chemistry and Sustainability | Environmental Studies | Geobiology |
| Geohazards | Human Disease | Marine Biology |
| Mathematical Data Analytics | Mathematical Finance | Mathematics |
| Mind Body Studies | Natural Science | Neuroscience |
| Physics | Plastics Sustainability | Statistics |
Social Science minors
| American Popular Culture | Arabic | Behavioral Economics |
| Economics | Food and Society | Forensics and Criminality |
| GIS and Sustainability Science | History | History and Culture of Business |
| Human Rights | Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence | International Health, Development & Social Justice |
| International Relations | Iranian Studies | Law and Society |
| Linguistics | Managing Human Relations | Medical Anthropology |
| Middle East Studies | Photography and Social Change | Political Organizing in the Digital Age |
| Political Science | Practical Politics | Psychology |
| Psychology and Law | Resistance to Genocide | Sociology |
| Southeast Asia and its People | Spatial Studies |
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Did anyone apply to the USC Literature/Creative Writing PhD?
By viracity February 21, 2012 in Literary
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Just curious if anyone on this board applied to the University of Southern California Literature and Creative Writing PhD program. Or, if anyone knows when that school generally reports.
(Side note: The recent acceptance posts for other schools on the results forum make me nervous! I'm half glad I stumbled upon this website and half wishing I hadn't so I wouldn't even know that the universities were already reporting. Do most schools reply all at once or stagger responses?)
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stylechallenge10
I applied! I don't know that they'll start sending out acceptances to the middle of March--blah!--like they have in the past few years.
Also, it's so competitive. It looks like they take 4/200.
Where else did you apply, viracity?
I applied. I'd expect to hear sooner than mid-March if you're accepted, but who knows.
Jeepers, 4/200? That's so few students. Hopefully notification is before mid-March! I heard back last week from them, but just asking for a financial supplement form to be filled out. Got my hopes up for a second when I saw the email..and then I realized that it wasn't about a decision. Oh well.
I also applied to Yale, Harvard, UPenn, UVa, Chicago, Rice, and WashU. I haven't heard back from anyone yet. Looking at some of the other posts, both in the results survey and in the forums, it seems like at this point I can count implied rejections at a few of those schools, but I'm hoping that's not necessarily true! We'll see, I guess.
Where else did you apply? Did you apply to any other programs that allow creative dissertations?
I applied at Utah, Lincoln, Illinois-Chicago, Cincinnati and Georgia along with USC. I haven't heard back from any of those, and I don't believe that acceptances have gone out. It doesn't seem like that many people are interested in PhD's in Lit/Creative Writing, at least not on this board.
Thanks. Good luck to you as well! Those other schools actually don't allow creative dissertations; I applied to them for English lit with a focus in literary criticism/theory. And I think you're right, not too much interest on these boards for the creative PhDs. Oh well.
There are some people over at creative-writing-mfa-handbook2.blogspot.com/, but people don't post there too much, either.
It is a strange beast. When I first finished my MFA, I thought for sure I wouldn't apply for the Ph.D. And now here I am. I think more and more MFA grads are applying as time goes on.
I applied and am eagerly waiting!
Stately Plump
I considered applying to some MFA/Creative Writing PhD programs, and if I had, USC definitely would have been one of them!
+++ energy to all. (<--- this just worked for me today, so here's hoping it works for all of you!)
You are very kind, StatelyPlump! Congratulations to you!
Do all of you PhD applicants for creative writing already have MFA's? I am applying straight from undergrad (I'm a few years out, but I have no master's degree), and I hope I'm not completely out of my element. We'll see, I guess. I know that Utah has a B.A. to PhD direct route, at least.
I just graduated with my MA this past June and will have a MFA in June 2012.
I considered applying to some MFA/Creative Writing PhD programs, and if I had, USC definitely would have been one of them! +++ energy to all. (<--- this just worked for me today, so here's hoping it works for all of you!)
Thanks! I need it!
Thanks! And, many congrats!
Stylechallenge, I applied with a BFA (I just finished up this past semester). Hopefully we're not at a disadvantage going the direct to PhD route; the past accepted students listed on the USC webpage didn't all have MFAs when entering, though, so I have to imagine the writing samples are of much greater significance than which degree (BA or MA, or variant thereof) the applicant holds.
Captain Enjambment
I too have applied (as well to six other schools, and a few fellowships.) I was told they will be taking 3 poets and 3 fiction writers by Janalynn, the program coordinator, back in November when I called to ask about the program and various application details. I also (will) have an MFA and have heard from several programs that they prefer you have an MA/MFA before applying. USC is one school that has accepted people out of undergrad in the past though, so there's that.
Oh three is better than the 2 hat I had heard they took in the past.
truckbasket
Last year there were a couple of notifications kinda early, and everyone else was notified on April 15th.
And yes, it's usually 2 for fiction, 2 for poetry out of several hundred applicants.
EDIT: Actually, if memory serves correct, there was a semi-early wave of rejections and then everyone else got theirs on 4/15 (by mail). They won't give out any info via phone / email.
Considering the program isn't ranked super duper highly (for English at least) it's one of the most competetive programs out there because of location, faculty, and mind-blowingly good funding. They do take students with just the BA, but more often than not, it's MFA students who have published (I know a bunch of them).
I think I read somewhere that they notified people by email if you were waitlisted. I haven't heard of that happening yet this year, but it has happened in the past.
Is anyone else about to burst into flames?
Last year, according to the MFA Research Project, acceptances went out on 2/23 (today, dammit). Also, I do think waitlistees received emails.
I applied to the Literature/Creative Writing program at USC. I haven't heard anything yet. I would love to be in the program, but I know it's a slim-to-none chance of getting in. I'm in thesis right now and should graduate with an MA in May.
and English Ph.D people have apparently been getting calls this afternoon. I have a feeling this means the CWR program is notifying as well.... meep.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh *runs around*
Won't someone put me out of my misery?
FEAR NOT, the delightful Ms. Janalynn just informed me over the phone that USC isn't making its CW offers until the first week of March. KEEP HOPE ALIVE KIDS!
Oh thanks for finding out! Good luck everyone.
thanks for the info, Insertbrackets! nice to know there's still a (slim-to-none) chance..
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Fully Funded PhD Programs in Creative Writing
Last updated February 1, 2022
As part of my series on How to Fully Fund Your PhD , I provide a list of universities that offer full funding for a PhD in Creative Writing. PhDs in Creative Writing can lead to a career as a university teacher, professional writer, and more.
Fully funded PhD programs in Creative Writing are those that offer a financial aid package for full-time students that provides full-tuition remission in addition to an annual stipend or salary for the duration of the program, which is usually 3-6 years. Full funding usually comes in the form of an assistantship, with the expectation that students will teach or complete research in their field of study. Not all Creative Writing PhD programs offer full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.
In addition to listing fully funded PhD and Fully Funded Master’s programs, the ProFellow database also spotlights external funding opportunities for graduate school, including fellowships for dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, and summer work experiences.
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University of Cincinnati, PhD in Creative Writing (Cincinnati, OH): Every Ph.D. student has the opportunity to teach creative writing, with many also teaching literature classes. Most students are funded by teaching, with two or three at a time funded by editorial work at The Cincinnati Review, and others funded in their dissertation year by college- or university-level fellowships.
Florida State University, PhD in Creative Writing (Tallahassee, FL): The majority of students in the Graduate English Program receive support in the form of a teaching assistantship. Ph.D. students receive a four-year assistantship but are eligible to apply for a fifth year contingent on satisfactory progress. Teaching assistants are provided with a stipend, a tuition waiver, and a health insurance subsidy. For 2020-21, the stipend amounts were $16,200 for PhDs. The FSU Graduate School offers several fellowships and awards.
University of Houston, PhD in Creative Writing and Literature (Houston, Texas): Through the Department of English the Creative Writing Program offers teaching assistantships to Ph.D. students. Ph.D. students can receive a teaching assistantship for 5 years. Starting salary for a PhDs is $20,104/9 months. As part of the assistantship, students are awarded either a Graduate Tuition Fellowship, which remits tuition, or a Creative Writing Program Fellowship, which covers the cost of tuition and the University will pay up to 50% of the costs of medical insurance.
University of Illinois, PhD in Creative Writing (Chicago, IL): Accepted doctoral students are normally awarded six years of departmental funding via a teaching assistantship. The Graduate College and the Department both offer a number of fellowships and awards in varying amounts for graduate students. Limited amounts of travel funding are available through the Department and the Graduate College.
University of Nebraska, PhD in Creative Writing (Lincoln, NE): Students who enter the Ph.D. program with an M.A. or M.F.A. are eligible for up to 5 years of funding as Teaching Assistants. The TA stipend was $17,640.00 plus tuition remission and health insurance. The stipend for Research Assistants is $13.155.00 plus tuition remission. Each year the English Department awards several fellowships to graduate students.
University of New Brunswick, PhD in Creative Writing (Fredericton, Saint John): PhD students at UNB are eligible to compete for $19,420 of assistantship funding per year for four years (2019-2020), providing academic progress is satisfactory.
University of Southern California, PhD in Creative Writing and Literature (Los Angeles, CA): Students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Creative Writing and Literature receive financial support and assistance in the form of fellowships and teaching assistantships, which include full tuition remission, year-round health and dental benefits, and a stipend at the current rate.
Texas Tech University, PhD in Creative Writing (Lubbock, TX): When students apply to the onsite PhD program, they are automatically considered for funding. The funding for incoming students consists of a teaching position with a competitive stipend—guaranteed $20K/year for four years with opportunities to apply for a fifth year of funding—and significant tuition and fee waivers.
Ulster University, PhD in Creative Writing (Northern Ireland): The University is proud to be able to regularly offer scholarship awards to support PhD study for applicants from across the globe. These scholarships generally pay full tuition fees and provide a tax-free maintenance grant of over £15,000 per year.
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Please Educate Me: MFA vs. Ph.D.
Okay, I'm old as dirt, but back when I was in college, folks wanting to attend grad school in "English" chose MFA programs if they wanted to write literature/poetry, and Ph.D. programs if they wanted to pursue literary criticism.
I recently saw a Ph.D. dissertation that was a collection of the student's original poems. So, help an old broad out: what's happening here? Have some universities replaced their MFA programs with Ph.D. programs (e.g., to avoid their graduates having difficulties with academic appointments) or what?
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Fully Funded PhD in Creative Writing and Literature at University of Southern California
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The University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, California, currently offers an all-encompassing and fully funded Ph.D. program that integrates creative writing and literature. This program is designed for students who aspire to explore both critical analysis and creative expression in their academic pursuits.
PhD Program Requirements
To be eligible for admission, prospective students need to demonstrate a strong foundation in their chosen genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Successful candidates exhibit exceptional talent and a commitment to advancing both their creative and scholarly capacities.
PhD Funding Coverage
Admitted students to the Ph.D. program at USC benefit from robust financial support, which includes:
Fellowships: Merit-based financial awards that recognize outstanding academic and creative achievements.
Teaching Assistantships: Opportunities for students to gain valuable teaching experience while receiving financial support. Teaching assistantships cover full tuition remission, health benefits, and provide a stipend.
Full Tuition Remission: The program covers the entire cost of tuition, alleviating the financial burden on students.
Health Benefits: Admitted students receive comprehensive health benefits, ensuring their well-being throughout the duration of the program.
Stipend: In addition to tuition remission and health benefits, students receive a stipend to support their living expenses during their academic journey.
Application Requirement
Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application package, including:
Writing Samples: A portfolio showcasing the applicant’s proficiency in their chosen genre. This is a crucial component that allows the admissions committee to assess the candidate’s creative abilities.
Academic Records: Transcripts from previous academic institutions, highlighting the applicant’s academic achievements and qualifications.
Letters of Recommendation: Typically, three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic and creative potential.
Statement of Purpose: A thoughtful and articulate statement outlining the applicant’s motivations, academic interests, and goals within the program.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV): An overview of the applicant’s academic and professional background, including any relevant publications, awards, or experiences.
Application Deadline
December 1, 2024
Application Fee
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles , CA
https://dornsife.usc.edu/cwphd
Degrees Offered
Fiction, Poetry, CNF
Residency type
Program length.
64 units (5 years)
Financial Aid
Students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Creative Writing and Literature receive financial support and assistance in the form of Teaching Assistantships and Fellowships, which include full tuition remission, year-round health and dental benefits, and a stipend at the current rate.
Teaching opportunities
Editorial opportunities.
- Chris Abani PhD 2005
- Dexter L. Booth PhD
- Stephan Clark PhD
- Jonathan Escoffery PhD (Fiction) 2024
- Emily Geminder PhD (Fiction) 2021
- Katherine Karlin PhD (Fiction) 2009
- Lisa Lee PhD
- Robin Coste Lewis PhD (Poetry)
- Ryan McIlvain PhD
- Bonnie Nadzam PhD (Fiction) 2010
- Jessica Piazza PhD 2014
- Michael Powers PhD
- Jianan Qian PhD (Fiction) 2025
- Josie Sigler Sibara PhD (Fiction) 2013
- Amy Silverberg PhD (Fiction)
- Safiya Sinclair PhD
- Brandon Som PhD (Poetry) 2014
Send questions, comments and corrections to [email protected] .
Disclaimer: No endorsement of these ratings should be implied by the writers and writing programs listed on this site, or by the editors and publishers of Best American Short Stories , Best American Essays , Best American Poetry , The O. Henry Prize Stories and The Pushcart Prize Anthology .
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USC Dornsife PhD in Creative Writing & Literature. IN ADDITION TO COURSEWORK, students have the opportunity to participate in Ph.D. student-run projects such as The Loudest Voice, a reading series, and Gold Line Press, a publisher of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry chapbooks.. Though known for its competitive sports teams, USC also organizes an array of stimulating events throughout the year ...
The graduate curriculum is divided into 500-level foundation courses and 600-level advanced courses. The 500-level courses offer fundamental work in theory and in the history of British and American literatures and cultures. The 600-level courses feature advanced studies in theory, creative writing seminars and workshops and special topics.
Janalynn Bliss, Graduate Coordinator. Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature. Department of English. Taper Hall 431. University of Southern California. University Park Campus. Los Angeles, CA 90089-0354. (213) 821-0477.
Upload to your application the following required materials. Creative writing sample: Fiction or Nonfiction (approximately 25 pages) or Poetry (approximately 10 - 12 pages). Please do not send entire manuscripts. Select and send only the approximate number of pages requested. Critical writing sample: A scholarly critical work (10 - 25 pages).
USC Catalogue 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE] Programs, Minors and Certificates Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window) ... • Literature and Creative Writing (PhD) • Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography (PhD) • Materials Science (PhD) • Mathematics (PhD)
The student's course work must total at least 64 units. No more than 8 units of 794 Doctoral Dissertation and no more than four units of 790 Research may count toward the 64 units. A maximum of 12 transfer units, approved by the graduate director, is allowed toward the 64 units minimum required by the PhD (See Transfer of Credit.) Advisement
3501 Trousdale Parkway. THH 431. Los Angeles. California, United States. 90089-0354. Phone: 213-821-0477. Email: [email protected]. AWP's Guide to Writing Programs is a free, searchable database of graduate and undergraduate writing programs in the US and abroad.
PhD in Creative Writing & Literature at USC, Los Angeles, California. 1,314 likes · 2 talking about this · 4 were here. Study and write in the rich cultural and literary milieu of Los Angeles with...
The University of Southern California (USC) based in Los Angeles, CA offers a combined fully funded PhD in creative writing and Literature. Students admitted to this program take a series of writing workshops taught by our internationally renowned creative writing faculty. Students apply to the program in one genre only: fiction, nonfiction, or ...
WRITING All writing is creative — fiction or fact, prose or poetry, with sight or sound — and words matter. Stories make us human, and studying English with an emphasis in Creative Writing is a way of knowing our stories. Students explore literatures, genres, and cultures through the ages and use that knowledge to enhance their writing.
USC Dornsife PhD in Creative Writing & Literature. Doctoral candidates not only read and write texts as finished products of scholarship in researching their creative work's literary and historical milieu, but also consider the text as writers create it, then compose texts as writers, a process that goes to the source of the study of literature and of literature itself.
15. Program:English Literature. Posted February 21, 2012. Hi All, Just curious if anyone on this board applied to the University of Southern California Literature and Creative Writing PhD program. Or, if anyone knows when that school generally reports. (Side note: The recent acceptance posts for other schools on the results forum make me nervous!
For 2020-21, the stipend amounts were $16,200 for PhDs. The FSU Graduate School offers several fellowships and awards. University of Houston, PhD in Creative Writing and Literature (Houston, Texas): Through the Department of English the Creative Writing Program offers teaching assistantships to Ph.D. students. Ph.D. students can receive a ...
Getting degrees qualifies you for a teaching job and you're already qualified. It won't improve your writing at all. Most people who have MFAs and PhDs in creative writing are bad writers despite their teaching qualifications, and lots of people who have never take an creative writing course can write well. Reply.
Transfer students who have not completed the lower-division requirement prior to entering USC should enroll in WRIT 150 during their first semester at USC, and must enroll in WRIT 150 no later than their 19th unit (second semester) at USC. Programs. Courses. Writing Program • WRIT 095x Writing Tutorial
PhDs in Creative Writing are newer, and are more like other PhDs — they're longer, traditional PhD length is 5+ years (MFAs are 2-3), will typically involve a more comprehensive dissertation process + more time allocated for it than an MFA thesis, and things like field exams that you'd traditionally find in any humanities PhD program.
USC Dornsife PhD in Creative Writing & Literature. In their first semester, all students take English 501: Introduction to Graduate Study: Critical Methods and Practice I, a seminar which introduces them to theories and methods of criticism, as well as to major issues and debates in the profession.Thereafter they may select from the graduate seminars offered each year in English, as well as ...
The University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, California, currently offers an all-encompassing and fully funded Ph.D. program that integrates creative writing and literature. This program is designed for students who aspire to explore both critical analysis and creative expression in their academic pursuits. PhD Program Requirements To be eligible for admission ...
Emily Geminder PhD (Fiction) 2021. Katherine Karlin PhD (Fiction) 2009. Lisa Lee PhD. Robin Coste Lewis PhD (Poetry) Ryan McIlvain PhD. Bonnie Nadzam PhD (Fiction) 2010. Jessica Piazza PhD 2014. Michael Powers PhD. Jianan Qian PhD (Fiction) 2025.
To support the student's professional activities outside of USC, the department also provides some funding for travel to conferences and professional meetings, along with a full range of placement, advising and support activities. Graduate creative writing students will host lectures, discussions and forums in poetry and fiction studies. Programs
Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report; Sitemap
About Our Program. USC is one of a very small group of institutions in America to offer a combined Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature. Students admitted to this program take a series of writing workshops taught by our internationally renowned creative writing faculty and graduate literature seminars with other students in the literature ...
USC Dornsife PhD in Creative Writing & Literature. Our STUDENTS and ALUMNI have had book-length works and collections published by Alice James Books, Anhinga Press, Black Lawrence Press, Copper Canyon Press, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Hogarth, Northwestern University Press, Other Press, Penguin, Red Hen Press, Saturnalia, Siglio Press, Slope Editions, Tebot Bach, Ugly Duckling Presse ...
USC undergraduate students enrolled in the Wrigley Institute Julymester 2024 intensive creative writing lab, Writ in Water taught by Professor Katharine Ogle, recently published a collection of poetry inspired by the environment at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island.. Contributing Authors: Virginia Akujobi-Egere, Maximus Allen, Mario Castellanos, Zabrina Downer, Sophia ...