The Ph.D. Program in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Literatures offers courses in all areas of Iberian and Latin American literatures leading to the Ph.D. degree. Major movements and literary genres–epic, drama, lyric poetry, novel, and essay–are studied in their historical, ideological, and cultural context from their origins through the Renaissance and Siglo de Oro, to the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. In tracing the development of the literatures of the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries in the Western Hemisphere, emphasis is placed on their relations with Spain and Portugal, the influence of other European literatures, the indigenous cultures (Indianist, Gauchesque, Caribbean, among others) and on the fusion of these and other elements that have contributed to the new Latin American narrative and poetry of today.

The doctoral faculty in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Literatures is made up of distinguished scholars whose areas of specialization, when taken together, cover all aspects and periods of Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American literary studies. Besides a number of annual symposia and a lecture series by visiting scholars and writers, the program periodically invites internationally recognized scholars from Europe and Latin America to conduct mini-seminars.

In addition to financial assistance available through The Graduate Center in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships, many of the doctoral students are employed as part-time lecturers in Spanish and bilingual programs at the various colleges of CUNY and at private colleges.

In addition to the vast holdings in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American literatures maintained in the libraries of the CUNY colleges and The Graduate Center, students have access to the collections of various public and private institutions dedicated to Iberian and Latin American studies. The New York Public Library, located nearby, has one of the finest Hispanic collections in the world. Students also have access to the extraordinary collections of the Hispanic Society of America.

Upon completing 45 credits with an average grade of B, and after passing the First Examination, and satisfactorily completing a major research paper, the student may apply for an M.A. degree. The degree is awarded formally by one of the participating colleges.