Best Online English PhD Programs in 2026: Doctoral Degrees in Literature and Writing

Key Takeaways:

• Online options for an English PhD are rare, so this list stays narrow and specific rather than padded with loosely related programs.
• Estimated tuition among the programs below ranges from about $18,000 to just over $30,000.
• One option is a Doctor of Arts degree focused on teaching, which is worth considering if you’re picturing a research-heavy PhD instead.

If you love literature and want to take your study of it as far as it goes, a doctorate is the natural next step after a master’s degree. Online English PhD programs are genuinely uncommon, so GetEducated dug through the options to figure out which ones are actually worth your attention. Below, you’ll find our picks alongside a directory of online English doctoral programs if you want to keep browsing beyond this list.

What to Know Before Choosing a Program

Online English doctorates come in two flavors: research-focused PhDs built around a dissertation, and teaching-focused doctorates aimed at classroom practice instead. Because so few schools offer either format online, cost and structure vary quite a bit from one program to the next, and you’ll want to look closely at each program’s outcomes before applying. If a full doctorate feels like a bigger commitment than you’re ready for, our ranking of online master’s in English programs is a reasonable place to start instead, and our guide on factors to weigh when choosing an online PhD covers questions worth asking regardless of which program you pick.

It’s worth pointing out up front that this list is short on purpose. Rather than stretch it out with tangentially related doctorates in rhetoric, education, or linguistics, we stuck to programs that genuinely match what most people mean when they search for an English PhD: literary study, language, and writing at the doctoral level.

Liberty University: Doctor of Philosophy in English

Liberty’s online PhD in English lets you dig into textual analysis, literary theory, and the historical development of the English language while working toward a dissertation. Coursework spans British and American literature alongside the Christian literary tradition, with electives you can shape around your own interests, and faculty mentorship carries you through the dissertation process from proposal to defense.

• Credits: 30
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Master’s degree required

Because the program runs on Liberty’s accelerated 8-week course format, many students move through it faster than a traditional on-campus doctorate would allow. Graduates often go on to teach at the college level, work as editors, or move into publishing, so if you’re curious what else a PhD can lead to, our roundup of high paying jobs for PhD graduates is worth a skim. With only 30 required credits, this is also one of the more streamlined paths to a research doctorate on this list. Visit Liberty’s online tuition page for current pricing.

Murray State University: Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy

Unlike a traditional research PhD, Murray State’s Doctor of Arts is built specifically for people who want to teach English at the college level rather than produce original literary scholarship. The curriculum blends advanced coursework in literature and language with training in pedagogy, so you graduate ready to run a classroom, not just publish in it, with an emphasis on how to actually teach the subject well.

• Credits: Program-specific; contact the school for current credit requirements
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Master’s degree required

If your career goal is a community college or university teaching position rather than a research track, this distinction matters quite a bit: a Doctor of Arts signals to hiring committees that you’ve been trained specifically for the classroom. It’s a strong option for working teachers who want a terminal degree without reshaping their whole career around a dissertation defense. Visit Murray State’s doctoral tuition page for cost details.

Old Dominion University: Doctor of Philosophy in English

Old Dominion’s online PhD in English is a traditional research doctorate, culminating in original scholarship and a defended dissertation. The program is built for students who want to contribute new literary or linguistic research to the field, whether that means teaching at the university level afterward or working in research-adjacent roles.

• Credits: Program-specific; contact the school for current credit requirements
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Master’s degree required

Because it’s a public university, in-state students see meaningfully lower estimated costs than out-of-state students do here, so it’s worth confirming your residency status before you compare this program’s price tag against the others on this list. Check ODU’s cost page for the most current tuition figures.

Best Online English PhD Programs FAQ

A few questions come up often when people start looking into online English PhD programs, so here’s some quick context.

How long does an online English PhD take to complete?

Most full-time doctoral students finish in four to six years, though the exact timeline depends heavily on how quickly you complete your dissertation research and defense. Part-time students, or those juggling teaching jobs alongside coursework, often take longer.

What’s the difference between a PhD and a Doctor of Arts in English?

A PhD is typically research-focused and culminates in original scholarship, while a Doctor of Arts leans toward teaching preparation. If you’re not sure which track fits your goals, reading what a doctorate degree actually involves can help clarify the distinction before you commit to either path.

Can I teach college English with an online PhD?

Generally, yes. Most hiring committees care more about your dissertation, publications, and teaching experience than whether your degree was earned online or on campus, though some smaller or more traditional departments may still have preferences. Building a teaching portfolio during your doctorate can help offset any lingering hesitation.

What can I do with an English PhD besides teaching?

Plenty of graduates move into editing, publishing, writing-adjacent research roles, or corporate communications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for postsecondary teachers overall was $83,980 in May 2024, though pay varies widely by institution type and discipline.

Is an online English PhD respected by employers?

Accreditation matters more than delivery format here. All three programs above come from regionally accredited institutions, so the degree itself carries the same weight whether it was earned online or in a traditional classroom setting.

Take the Next Step Toward an Online English PhD

Whether you’re drawn to Liberty’s research-focused track, Murray State’s teaching-centered Doctor of Arts, or Old Dominion’s traditional PhD, the right fit really depends on whether you’re aiming for scholarship, classroom teaching, or both.

Take time to compare each program’s structure and cost before committing, since a doctorate is a long-term investment either way. When you’re ready to keep exploring, GetEducated’s full range of online English degree options covers everything from associate degrees through doctoral programs.