A Ph.D. in English prepares students to enter into the academic profession. Our program supports two primary concentrations: literature, culture, media, and writing studies and rhetoric and writing studies with numerous subspecialties within and across these two areas.
English is one of the largest Ph.D. programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State with a graduate faculty of approximately 25 and a graduate student population of nearly 130 actively pursuing the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.
Admissions
See English graduate admissions for more information.
Career insights
A degree in English can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
| Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and English as a second language instructor | $59,000 |
| Agents and business manager of artists, performers and athletes | $63,000 |
| Archivist | $54,000 |
| Art, drama and music teachers, postsecondary | $90,000 |
| Communications teachers, postsecondary | $90,000 |
| Customer service representative | $41,000 |
| Education teachers, postsecondary | $90,000 |
| Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistant | $65,000 |
| Fundraiser | $62,000 |
| Fundraising manager | $115,000 |
| Healthcare social worker | $63,000 |
| Human resources manager | $126,000 |
| Judicial law clerk | $56,000 |
| Lawyers | $118,000 |
| Legislator | $55,000 |
| Librarians and media collections specialist | $62,000 |
| Marketing manager | $126,000 |
| News analysts, reporters and journalists | $45,000 |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | $59,000 |
| Producers and directors | $57,000 |
| Proofreaders and copy markers | $39,000 |
| Public relations manager | $115,000 |
| Public relations specialist | $61,000 |
| Sales manager | $150,000 |
| Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel | $71,000 |
| Social and community service managers | $78,000 |
| Training and development managers | $103,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.
Explore career outlook