Overview

Students in the Comparative Literature program at Pennsylvania State University combine a shared series of seminars in comparative research methods and theory (ancient through very current) with coursework in their own areas of interest.

In addition to specializations including—but not limited to—comparative medieval studies; comparative Middle Eastern studies; comparative modernisms; ecocriticism and the Anthropocene; human rights, ethics, and critical health studies; migration, diaspora, and globalization; poetry and poetics; postcolonial and decolonial studies; translation studies; and world literature, doctoral students can take an interdisciplinary dual-title degree with African Studies, Asian Studies, Visual Studies, or Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Our graduate programs emphasize research experience, pedagogical theories and practice, and career preparation.

The M.A. is a general humanistic degree that helps prepare students for a variety of situations, including teaching in private high schools or community colleges, or further graduate work.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of literature and critical theory from a global perspective, in multiple languages and media, and across a broad range of historical periods.
Graduates will demonstrate their development of new knowledge in the discipline, by designing and executing a sustained piece of scholarship (MA Paper) that brings their newly created knowledge into conversation with on-going debates in the discipline.
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to participate appropriately in a variety of professional situations, including seminars, lectures, and, when feasible and advisable, conferences or teaching.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Comparative Method in Literary Studies
Comparative Criticism I: Classical to Neoclassical
Comparative Criticism II: Romantic to Contemporary
Theory and Practice of Translation
Comparative Seminar in Asian Literatures
Comparative Seminar in African Literatures

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-25 00:00:00 , International

More details

International applicants are encouraged to submit materials at least four months before the beginning of the semester for which they are applying.

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

University Park, United States

Disciplines

Literature View 349 other Masters in Literature in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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IELTS

6.5

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Other requirements

General requirements

Most students who do graduate work in comparative literature hold a B.A. or M.A. degree in comparative literature or in a particular language and literature. Students completing degrees in such fields are welcome to apply --as are students in other humanistic fields, such as philosophy or history, if they have studied literature.
A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Students must submit scores from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

46796 USD / year

≈ 46796 USD / year
Out-of-State

46796 USD / year

≈ 46796 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

25966 USD / year

≈ 25966 USD / year

Living costs

University Park

United States

1000 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Comparative Literature.

Available Scholarships

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On this page

About

Overview

Learning outcomes

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

University Park

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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