PhD in Comparative Literary Studies

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

28

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

Midwest:

20%

Others:

5%

International:

15%

Northeast:

25%

Southeast:

15%

West:

20%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Top recruiters

Accenture

Deloitte

EY

PwC

Google

World Health Organization

Amazon

Oracle

SAS

Tesla

Amazon Web Services

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$18,688 / year

Overall Cost

$1,08,440 / year

FAQs

• What funding does the program offer?
  
  All PhD students receive a five‑year funding package—tuition waiver, stipend, and full health insurance subsidy. In years two through four, students serve as graduate teaching assistants; in years one and five they hold fellowships. Conference travel funding is also available.
• What are the dissertation requirements?
  
  After passing the QE and public presentation, students write an original dissertation under faculty supervision and defend it at the end to earn the PhD.
• What are the examination milestones and timeline?
  
  Students must pass a Theory Exam by Fall of the second year and a Qualifying Exam (QE) by Winter of the third year. The QE involves three reading lists and an oral exam. To advance to candidacy, they must also deliver a public presentation and submit a 12–15 page dissertation prospectus.
• How long does the program take, and how many units are required?
  
  The program spans five years of full funding. Students must complete 15–18 graduate units, including theory courses, study in their home department, and electives.
• What is the focus and structure of the CLS PhD program?
  
  The program offers interdisciplinary training in literary traditions, critical theory, and comparative methodology, and students are admitted into both the CLS program and a "home department" such as English, Classics, or Romance languages.