If you are a busy professional interested in quick career advancement opportunities, we rank the fastest online PhD degree programs in English.
Earning a terminal degree in the English field is a lengthy and tedious process that usually takes five years for doctoral students to complete. Plus the competition is extremely high—both in gaining admission into a reputable doctoral degree in English program, and then landing a decent job after graduation.
Students who are thinking of completing the fastest doctorate degree programs in English should have a sincere passion for the discipline, and not just a mere desire to become a researcher or English professor because the level of effort to complete one of these online doctoral degree programs can be intense.
The primary goal of enrolling in an accelerated online program, particularly online doctoral programs in English, is to prepare students for the workforce as quickly as possible. As such, the biggest and most salient feature of this type of delivery is the chance for students to finish their studies faster through online courses.
How can an accelerated doctoral degree program in English grad students so much more quickly? The fastest online doctoral programs often have shorter term lengths and may require a heavier course load than traditional doctoral degree programs.
A typical term in an accelerated online program may be as short as 8 weeks. Students are often also expected to take multiple online courses at a time. The heavier course load may make it difficult for some graduate students to continue working full time.
Not all doctoral programs are as expensive as the others, particularly compared to their traditional counterparts. They are also designed with flexible scheduling options so non-traditional students, especially adult learners with families or full-time jobs, are accommodated. One downside, however, is that accelerated programs often have less financial aid available.
Hybrid accelerated doctoral degree programs that have some online components usually require at least two residencies or weekly on-campus instruction for on campus courses. Others with weekly in-person instruction are regional programs for local students who can travel on-campus with minimal issues.
Bottom Line: Because of the heavier course load and in-person commitment required by many doctoral degree programs, many working professionals prefer 100% online doctoral programs to earn their PhD.
If you hold an undergraduate degree in English, pursuing online doctoral degree programs in the same discipline is an obvious path. Depending on the types of classes you completed in your master’s degree and your interests, usually within the field of humanities or business administration, you can qualify for other disciplines in the online doctorate degree level, and not just in English.
Generally, there are 6 ideal types of PhD online doctoral degree programs for English majors:
When considering these alternative online accelerated PhD doctoral programs, keep in mind that doctoral students pursuing a new field of study might require you to complete additional courses on top of those you earned with your bachelor’s or master’s degree.
By doing so, you can pursue related or similar fields that utilize your earned expertise as an English major, including fields such as counselor education, higher education leadership, criminal justice, early childhood education, and even public health in private, non-profit, and government agencies.
The following graph depicts the average salaries of English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in some of the highest-paying industries in the U.S.
Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
We rounded up 20 of the fastest English doctoral programs delivered in online, on-campus, and hybrid formats.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
56%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/24
Murray State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Murray State University is a public university located in Murray, Kentucky. Aside from its main campus in Calloway County, Murray State also operates extended campuses that offer upper-level and graduate courses in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson. The school offers 11 associate degree programs, 64 bachelor’s, 42 master’s degrees and specialist, and three online doctoral programs which are administered through four colleges, two schools, 30 departments, and one joint program.
Murray State offers an online doctorate in English with four specializations: Language, Literacy, Literature, or Writing. Students can choose either one of the two routes offered.
The traditional DAL is a 48-hour route for students who already hold a master’s degree. The accelerated MA to DA route—a 72-hour option for those who hold a bachelor’s degree but wish to complete both the MA in English and the DA in English Pedagogy with a Literature specialization more quickly than by finishing each degree separately.
Murray State University blends the range of educational opportunities usually found at research institutions with the nurturing student-teacher interactions we normally see at smaller universities.
Murray State University is great for students who:
Want a good college for a low cost and those who take their college experience seriously.
Murray State University might not be a good fit for students who:
Aren’t keen on attending college in a small town.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Student body
8K
Northcentral University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Founded in 1996, Northcentral University is a private online university headquartered in San Diego, California, and is classified among “Doctoral/Professional Universities”. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, specialist, and doctoral programs in more than 60 degree areas.
Northcentral University offers an online Ph.D.-ED in Education with a concentration in English Language Learning. This 60-credit hour accelerated online doctorate degree contributes to the preparation of students to become research scholars in the field.
Northcentral University doesn’t require physical residency for its students. There are also weekly start dates, and all courses are taught one-to-one by an NCU professor holding a doctoral degree.
Northcentral University is great for students who:
Are looking for programs that are offered 100% online. This is also perfect for any prospective self-starter student.
Northcentral University might not be a good fit for students who:
Expect to be spoon-fed considering this is an online school. Students should be able to download their assignments, read the required resources, and research topics on their own.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
49%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/21
Old Dominion University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Old Dominion University is a public research university in Norfolk, Virginia. It offers more than 120 undergraduate programs, 130 graduate programs at the master’s, education specialist, and doctoral levels plus a wealth of certificate and professional development programs.
The online English doctoral program at ODU integrates rhetoric, writing, discourse, technology, and textual studies. This program appeals to those who are planning to pursue an academic career as well as those with careers outside the classroom.
Old Dominion University is a very diverse school. It has tons of school spirit, and there is always something to do that involves everyone. There are also lots of organizations that are great and fun.
Old Dominion University is great for students who:
Want to receive a good education in a comfortable urban atmosphere.
Old Dominion University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for affordable universities. ODU is a bit expensive, and it can even be more costly if you include housing and other fees.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
83%
Student body
61K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/29
Texas A&M University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Texas A&M University is a public, land-grant research university in College Station, Texas, and is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System since 1948. It offers more than 130 undergraduate degrees, plus 268 graduate and doctoral programs as options for study.
The Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University offers an online Ph.D. in English program, with a concentration in Written Discourse, Theory, and Practice, or Critical Literacy. This program is designed for students who are interested in teaching English.
Texas A&M University is one of the only 62 members of the renowned Association of American Universities (AAU)—an elite organization encompassing leading private and public universities in the United States and Canada.
Texas A&M University is great for students who:
Love challenging but fun classes, and those who are willing to commit time to their students, and love the close family feeling of the school.
Texas A&M University might not be a good fit for students who:
Cannot manage their time efficiently, and those who are not comfortable studying in big universities.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
63%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
Texas Tech University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Texas Tech University is a public research university located in Lubbock, Texas, and is the main institution of the five-institution Texas Tech University system. The university offers degrees in more than 150 courses of study through 13 colleges and hosts 60 research centers and institutes.
Texas Tech University offers an online program for a Ph.D. in English. Students have the option to take a concentration on Literature, Creative Writing, or Linguistics. Online students in the English department are enrolled in the same courses as the on-campus students—with the same professors and earning the same quality degree.
Every year, Texas Tech online students in their doctoral programs attend May Seminar, a two-week intensive workshop that gives doctoral students the chance to collaborate with peers and faculty face-to-face.
Texas Tech University is great for students who:
Enjoys learning with friends, discovering new things they didn’t know they liked or growing more confident in themselves.
Texas Tech University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for cheaper university options. Texas Tech is not as affordable as some other college options, but the amount students are paying is worth more.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
62%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/25
University of Houston’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Houston is a public research university located in Houston, Texas, and is a member of the University of Houston System, and Texas’ third-biggest university. UH offers more than 276 degree programs through its 16 academic colleges and schools and an interdisciplinary Honors College.
The University of Houston offers an accelerated online English doctorate program in professional leadership with an emphasis on Literacy Education. This program aims to provide solid evidence-based solutions to important policy and scholarly challenges and substantially contribute to multi-disciplinary efforts to improve student access and success.
What makes the University of Houston loved is its outstanding education, unlimited research opportunities, unbeatable location, and promising future.
The University of Houston is great for students who:
Want to experience many cultures in one. The University of Houston is one of the most culturally diverse college in the US.
The University of Houston might not be a good fit for students who:
Do not religiously study and prefer to cram the night before the exam. Exams are UH are cumulative.
Indiana University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Indiana University is a system of public universities in Indiana, with Indiana University Bloomington as its flagship campus. With more than 80 majors to choose from—not to mention more than 90 minors and certificates, students can tailor their undergraduate and graduate degrees to fit their unique dreams and goals.
Indiana University offers an online EdD in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. The program covers various topics like world English, children’s literature, academic literacy, world language, and critical literacy.
Indiana University—Bloomington is a very good school in that its academics and value are highly ranked. The school boasts a strong Greek life presence.
Indiana University is great for students who:
Are interested in liberal arts, as well as business majors considering it is an amazing business school.
Indiana University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not into Greek life since it is very heavy on campus.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
62%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1209/26
University of Alabama at Birmingham’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Alabama-Birmingham is a public research university in Birmingham, Alabama, and is now the state’s largest single employer, with almost 25,000 faculty and staff and over 53,000 jobs at the university and in the health system. UAB has 140 programs of study in 12 academic divisions leading to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, doctorate degree programs and professional degrees in various fields.
UAB offers an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, a joint initiative of UAB and the University of Alabama. This program is suitable for teachers and school administrators who wish to improve their management, analytical, and leadership skills so they can attain senior administrative positions. Students will focus on relevant issues like public accountability of teaching and learning results, new instructional technologies, and the ever-increasing diversity in student and teacher populations.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham is not just an internationally-recognized research institute but also one of the most well-liked academic medical facilities in the world, thanks to its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham is great for students who:
are not just interested in medical school but in art school as well. UAB is great for all majors. UAB has so much to offer, and students will love the school’s diversity.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham might not be a good fit for students who:
Are out-of-state enrollees because the school is very expensive, although what you pay is money well spent because of the beautiful campus and top-notch academic excellence.
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
48%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1091/19
Texas Woman's University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Texas Woman’s University is a public coeducational university located in Denton, Texas, with two health science center-focused campuses in Houston and Dallas. It offers more than 60 advanced degrees in flexible formats, which can be customized to accommodate each student’s budget, schedule, and life goals.
TWU offers a Doctorate in Rhetoric where students study composition, literary theory, linguistics, and literature within the field of English. This program prepares graduate students to become leaders and scholars of technology and discourse which utilizes language to persuade, inform, and explore ideas.
The school is very serious about what it stands for and the education its students will receive. Students will be surrounded by educational stimuli every day. There is no way students will attend TWU without learning something that may change the way they see life forever.
Texas Woman’s University is great for students who:
Are academically competitive. All students at TWU are eager and determined to get good grades and hold high achievements.
Texas Woman’s University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for a ‘party school’. TWU’s definition of fun is helping organizations in need or debating about the hottest topics. However, this also means that attending TWU can feel like “all work and no play”. Students must be careful, otherwise, stress and overwork will get in the way.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
66%
Student body
73K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/24
Arizona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Arizona State University is a public research university based in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, Arizona. It is a member of the Universities Research Association and offers 350 degree options from its 17 colleges and more than 170 cross-discipline centers and institutes for undergraduates. The school also has more than 400 graduate degree and certificate programs that lead to a master’s degree or doctorate degree.
The Ph.D. program in linguistics and applied linguistics offered by ASU is handled by internationally recognized faculty with expertise in discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, semantics, second-language writing, and many more. Students can customize their programs to serve their specific interests.
Arizona State University is one of the leading universities across the US for outstanding academics. It offers dual degree and double major options, too so students can customize what they want to learn.
Arizona State University is great for students who:
Want a large university feel with small classes. With this kind of large community, students can easily find a community by getting involved.
Arizona State University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for less expensive universities. However, ASU has tons of great scholarship opportunities.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
56%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/21
Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public research university in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. IUP has more than 140 undergraduate degree programs, over 70 minors, 35 certificate programs, and 70 graduate degree programs leading to a master’s degree or doctoral degree under the direction of eight colleges and schools.
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers a Ph.D. in Media and Communication Studies, a flexible program designed for working professionals. Students meet during weekends and use a blend of online and face-to-face components. Students also have the option to enroll in a full-time or part-time cohort.
IAU is packed with infinite clubs and activities that students can join. There are different kinds of animé clubs, religious groups, residence hall associations, sports teams, and even a video club.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is great for students who:
Are outgoing and intelligent. Those who love the laid-back life of the country but the same exciting city people will love it here.
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not comfortable going to a big school
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
62%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/25
Regent University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Regent University is a private Christian university in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and offers traditional on-campus programs as well as online programs. Through its eight academic schools, Regent University offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in more than 70 on-campus and online courses of academic schools.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Communication at Regent University provides students a broad interdisciplinary training in scholarly writing, teaching, and research as they explore communication studies through a Christian worldview. Students later on become better communicators and scholars while making an impact whether as a speaker, a teacher, or thought leaders.
Regent University is a very rigorous but engaging school with very accessible and helpful faculty.
Regent University is great for students who:
Want to get involved. Its School of Undergraduate Studies is always looking for student input. This is also great for anybody who wants to grow in their spiritual work.
Regent University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for cheaper university options. As a private Christian school, the classes are a bit more demanding on the wallet.
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Liberty University is a Christian institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. It offers more than 550 on-campus and online programs of study within its 17 colleges and schools.
Liberty University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Strategic Media is a 100% online program. This program helps students develop a solid background in strategic media communication, communication theory, and applications for nonprofit, for-profit, and higher education sectors.
The campus is extremely large, about 7,000 acres, and is filled with a lot of colleges and majors. Students will not only excel academically but will also learn good time management and real-life knowledge.
Liberty University is great for students who:
Want to get closer to God, and want a big-time university feel with a foundation of Biblical truth.
Liberty University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not comfortable settling on a huge campus with so many students.
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
57%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1055/21
California Baptist University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
California Baptist University is a private Christian university in Riverside, California. It is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention, an organization affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The school has a number of on-campus and online programs to choose from, and includes everything from bachelor’s degrees to doctorate degrees.
California Baptist University’s online Doctor of Public Administration program focuses on communications, problem-solving, analytical, and research-oriented professional skills for innovative and responsible mid and executive-level leaders who seek to maximize impact in organizations—both public and non-profit.
The campus at CBU provides students with several ways to worship, including Men’s Ministries, Discipleship Ministries, Women’s Ministries, and both local and global service opportunities.
California Baptist University is great for students who:
Are Christians and want to grow closer to Christ, as well as those who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and classroom setting.
California Baptist University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for Greek life as CBU has none. However, the students are very friendly and the overall feel of the campus is positive, so it’s very easy to make friends.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
75%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/27
University of South Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of South Florida, located in Tampa, Florida, is a public research university and one of the 12 members of the State University System of Florida. The school offers 91 bachelor’s degree programs, 103 master’s degree programs, 48 doctoral degree programs, two specialist degree programs, and several certificate programs under 14 colleges.
USF offers a PhD in English with two concentrations: Literature and Rhetoric and Composition. One of today’s fastest online English PhD, this program is designed to produce teacher-scholars equipped with the fundamental knowledge of literature, critical theory, and composition.
USF is globally recognized as a leader in academic excellence, both online and on-campus.
The University of South Florida is great for students who:
Love to have fun, meet new people, and get a good amount of learning.
The University of South Florida might not be a good fit for students who:
Can neither keep their tasks properly balanced nor practice time management.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
84%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1326/30
University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Washington is a public research university in Seattle, Washington. It is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast and was later established in Seattle about a decade after the city’s founding. This public Ivy offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through its 140 departments
UW’s PhD in English Language and Literature is offered in two concentrations: Literature and Culture, and Language and Rhetoric. The Literature and Culture track focuses on research and literary teaching and cultural studies in post-secondary institutions. The Language and Rhetoric track focuses on teaching with an emphasis on language-in-use settings.
The University of Washington is the 10th best global university and is home to a world-class medical center.
The University of Washington is great for students who:
Prefer to study in a big city and be part of a diverse student body. It’s also perfect for students looking for access to on- and off-campus parties.
The University of Washington might not be a good fit for students who:
Cannot thrive in a large university with a huge population.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
88%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/32
University of Maryland, College Park’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Maryland, College Park, is in College Park, Maryland. This public land-grant research university is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. The university has 12 schools and colleges offering over 200 degree-granting programs, including 92 undergraduate degrees, 107 master’s degrees, and 83 doctoral programs.
The Department of English at the University of Maryland offers a PhD in English delivered on campus. With the program being one of the best in the nation in terms of a placement record, students in the program will gain extensive teaching experience in their training at UMD.
The school features Living-Learning Programs where students who share common academic interests are grouped in classes and campus residence halls.
The University of Maryland is great for students who:
Are fun-loving, outgoing, and those who enjoy getting challenged in a classroom setting. The school is also perfect for those who have a wide range of interests since there are so many clubs on campus ranging from singing to sports to game playing, to broadcasting, and even to community service.
The University of Maryland might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not open about getting exposed to many different cultures and people. This is also not ideal for those who are not comfortable studying at a large university.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
89%
Student body
38K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/29
University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Wisconsin Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this public land-grant research graduate school offers more than 600 undergraduate majors and more than 9,000 courses.
The University of Wisconsin Madison’s PhD in English is a highly competitive program because the school wants to ensure its long-standing tradition of academic excellence. This English PhD program is offered in three concentrations: Composition and Rhetoric, English Language and Linguistics, and Literary Studies.
Known for it excellent online PhD programs, the University of Wisconsin has a research budget of over $1 billion for its highly ranked programs, along with competitive sports teams and a friendly and down-to-earth Midwestern attitude.
The University of Wisconsin Madison is great for students who:
Want to study on a big campus filled with diverse students and lots of opportunities to allow them to broaden their horizons.
The University of Wisconsin Madison might not be a good fit for students who:
Prefer studying in a smaller and tightly knit school.