The Timeless Appeal of Shakespeare in Modern Academia

For avid admirers of William Shakespeare, the Bard's profound insights into human nature offer more than entertainment—they pave a viable path to a fulfilling career in higher education. Many who immerse themselves in his sonnets, tragedies, and comedies dream of sharing that passion as English professors at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Oxford, or Stanford. This journey transforms personal enthusiasm into professional expertise, allowing scholars to dissect Hamlet's existential dilemmas or Romeo and Juliet's fervent romance in lecture halls filled with eager students. Globally, top universities seek specialists who can bridge Shakespeare's Elizabethan world with contemporary issues such as identity, power, and ecology.

Renowned figures exemplify this trajectory. Stephen Greenblatt, Harvard's Cogan University Professor of the Humanities, has authored seminal works like Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare, earning accolades including the Holberg Prize. His career underscores how deep engagement with Shakespeare can lead to influential positions at Ivy League schools. Similarly, at Oxford, Professor Emma Smith, a Tutorial Fellow at Hertford College, explores the First Folio's cultural impact through books like This Is Shakespeare, a bestseller that demystifies the playwright for modern readers.

This path demands dedication but rewards with intellectual freedom, mentorship opportunities, and contributions to ongoing scholarly debates. As universities emphasize diverse perspectives, Shakespeare lovers can innovate by linking his works to global contexts, from postcolonial readings of The Tempest to ecocritical analyses of forest prophecies in Macbeth.

Foundational Steps: Earning a Bachelor's Degree in English

The journey to teach English at a top university begins with a bachelor's degree in English literature or a closely related field. Aspiring scholars should select programs renowned for rigorous curricula covering canonical texts, including Shakespeare's complete works. Institutions like liberal arts colleges or flagship state universities provide foundational knowledge through courses in Renaissance drama, literary theory, and critical writing. For instance, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English typically spans four years, requiring 120-130 credit hours, with majors delving into historical periods, genres, and methodologies.

Key to success: Maintain a high Grade Point Average (GPA), ideally above 3.7, and seek honors programs or seminars focused on Shakespeare. Extracurriculars matter—join literary societies, attend theater productions, or intern at Shakespeare festivals. Early research papers on topics like Shylock's antisemitism in The Merchant of Venice build analytical skills. Graduates from top undergrad programs, such as those at Yale or University College London (UCL), gain advantages in PhD admissions.

This stage defines your passion. Define terms like 'close reading'—a meticulous textual analysis—and practice it on sonnets. Real-world example: Many professors recall undergraduate theses on Othello's racial dynamics as pivotal.

Master's Level: Deepening Expertise and Testing the Waters

A Master of Arts (MA) in English literature serves as a crucial bridge, lasting 1-2 years and honing research abilities. While not always mandatory, it strengthens PhD applications, especially for international students. Programs at universities like the University of Edinburgh or Columbia emphasize Shakespeare's contexts—historical, theatrical, and print-based. Coursework includes seminars on early modern drama, paleography (study of old scripts), and bibliography.

During this phase, begin publishing: Submit essays to journals like Shakespeare Quarterly. Teaching assistantships (TAs) introduce classroom dynamics, grading papers and leading discussions on King Lear. Statistics show MA holders with publications secure top PhD spots more readily. Expect theses of 20,000-30,000 words, perhaps exploring gender in Twelfth Night. This period clarifies if academia suits your Shakespeare devotion.

The PhD Odyssey: Specializing in Shakespeare Studies

Central to becoming an English professor is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English, a 5-7 year commitment. Top programs—Harvard, Oxford, Stanford—admit competitively, often 5-10% acceptance rates. Applicants need stellar GRE scores (if required), writing samples on Shakespeare, and faculty recommendations. The dissertation, 80,000-100,000 words, might analyze performance histories of Macbeth or the First Folio's compilation.

PhD life involves coursework (2 years), comprehensive exams on periods/literary theory, then dissertation research. Funding via fellowships covers tuition and stipends (~$30,000/year). Specialize in early modern literature: Shakespeare's era (1564-1616), including contemporaries like Marlowe. Interdisciplinary angles—digital humanities mapping Globe Theatre attendance—enhance prospects. Case study: Stephen Orgel's PhD at Harvard led to Stanford's Reynolds Professorship, authoring Imagining Shakespeare.

Crafting a Stellar Academic CV: Publications and Conferences

Tenure-track hires prioritize peer-reviewed publications. Aim for 3-5 articles in journals like English Literary Renaissance by dissertation defense. Present at conferences: Modern Language Association (MLA), Shakespeare Association of America (SAA). SAA lists positions emphasizing Shakespeare expertise. Books or edited volumes follow, like Emma Smith's Portable Magic.

Step-by-step: Identify gaps (e.g., Shakespeare's trees in plays), draft, peer review (6-12 months), revise. Grants from Folger Shakespeare Library fund archival trips to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Gaining Pedagogical Prowess: From TA to Adjunct

Teaching experience is non-negotiable. PhD students TA intro courses, design syllabi on A Midsummer Night's Dream. Post-PhD, adjunct or visiting roles at colleges like Colby or Bucknell build records. Develop inclusive methods: Diverse readings, digital tools for sonnet analysis. Student evaluations (4.5+/5) and syllabi samples are application staples.

Decoding the Job Market: Realism and Strategies

The English PhD market is challenging: 2022 saw 1,144 new PhDs but only 469 tenure-track assistant professor openings. From 2009-2015 cohorts, 39.1% landed tenure-track (TT) roles versus 71.4% pre-recession. SAA posts highlight demand for early modern specialists with race/gender foci.Explore SAA listings for trends.

Strategies: Network at MLA, tailor applications (20-50/year), leverage fellowships. Recent hires: SUNY New Paltz seeks Shakespeare experts. Alt-ac paths exist, but TT at top unis reward persistence.

Profiles of Trailblazing Shakespeare Professors

Stephen Greenblatt (Harvard): BA from Yale, PhD Yale, revolutionized 'New Historicism' linking Shakespeare to culture/power. General Editor, Norton Shakespeare.

Emma Smith (Oxford): Focuses on Folio, performance; Trustee RSC, radio/TV contributor. Leverhulme Fellow 2026-9.

Stephen Orgel (Stanford): PhD Harvard, books on masques, gender in Shakespeare. Edited Oxford Milton.

Financial Rewards: Salaries at Elite Institutions

Assistant professors at Ivies earn $160,000-$210,000 base, rising to $220,000-$280,000 for associates, per Harvard data. AAUP 2024-25 reports 3.8% nominal salary growth; humanities full professors average $140,000-$160,000 at top schools. Benefits: Sabbaticals, research funds. Lifestyle: Summers free, global conferences.

Overcoming Hurdles: Challenges and Solutions

Challenges: Low placement (30% non-TT), adjunct precarity, work-life balance. Solutions: Diversify (digital humanities), alt-ac prep, mentorship. Cultural context: Global shifts favor interdisciplinary Shakespeare (e.g., global south adaptations).

Emerging Trends and Future Outlook

Trends: Ecocriticism, performance studies, DEI. Post-2025, stimulus aids recovery, but TT scarce. Outlook: Optimistic for passionate, adaptable scholars.

Actionable Advice for Aspiring Bard Academics

• Read widely: SAA bibliography, Folger editions.
• Publish early: Target Shakespeare journal.
• Network: MLA virtual sessions.
• Teach diversely: Online courses via Coursera.
• Apply broadly: 50+ positions/year.

Start today—your love for Shakespeare can illuminate top university classrooms worldwide.

Photo by Jantri Simbolon on Unsplash