PhD Comparative Literature at University of South Carolina

Programme overview

Doctoral programme in multilingual, cross-cultural literary scholarship that trains comparatists able to teach in their languages of expertise, working with faculty across disciplines.

Faculty: McCausland College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Comparative Literature | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbia, SC, United States

What you will study

Graduate-level work in the student's language of expertise, reading knowledge of two specialty languages and an additional approved language for studying at least three national literatures, culminating in written and oral exams and a doctoral dissertation. Resources include a languages lab and rare books collection.

Career pathways

Faculty, translator, foreign language educator; settings include education, publishing, nonprofits and business.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Required: transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, writing sample of about 3,000 words in a language relevant to the concentration (non-native English speakers include an English summary), statement of purpose in English, and a 3-minute unscripted speaking recording in the concentration language (non-native English speakers also include an English portion). GRE optional from Fall 2025; official scores required for matriculation if submitted. Fall deadline for funding consideration: January 15; final fall deadline: June 1.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer terms; Fall applications open the prior September, Spring applications open in January and Summer applications open in May.

The graduate application fee is $50 per primary application, reinstated effective August 1, 2026. Deadlines are programme-specific and listed per programme on the Degree Programs and Application Requirements pages.

Apply through the official page: https://www.sc.edu/admissions-at-sc/applications/index.php

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