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Ph.D. Degree Requirements

For the Ph.D. you are required to earn a minimum of 66 credits beyond the master's, 21 of which must be taken in writing studies classes and seminars.  The 66 credits include 42 credits in coursework and 24 dissertation credits. You will take:

  • 3 credits in pedagogy
  • 2 courses (6 credits) in rhetorical theory and criticism beyond the M.A. requirements, including WRIT 5775 and 5776 or 5777
  • 2 courses in technical communication research and theory (6 credits) including WRIT 8011 and 8012,
  • 12 credits in a specialty area within WRIT: Scientific and Technical Communication (S&TC) or comp-rhet
  • 15 credits in electives or minor:  WRIT (including 5532) or courses in other departments
  • 24 dissertation credits

Minor or supporting programs may focus on areas such as communication studies; English; curriculum and instruction; gender, women, and sexuaity studies; cognitive psychology; and the history of science, and 6 elective credits to fulfill the minimum credit requirement. You may fulfill 18 credits of Ph.D. work in completing M.A. requirements (usually includes 1 course in rhetorical theory and 5 courses in other core areas, specialty area, or related field).

Specialty Areas

This list of specialty areas represents some of the areas of interest and expertise of the faculty in the Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication (RSTC) program. We urge to take advantage of the writing studies seminars in these areas. You may create other specialty areas in consultation with your advisor.

  • Science and rhetoric
  • Computer-mediated communication (Internet studies)
  • Feminist theory in science, technology, and communication
  • Scientific and technical communication pedagogy
  • Technology and culture
  • Environmental rhetoric (sub-area)
  • International / intercultural studies (sub-area)

Program Requirements

15 cr

Required courses:

  • One course in pedagogy (required your first semester - WRIT 5531 Introduction to Writing Instruction: Composition Pedagogy)
  • Two courses in rhetorical theory and criticism (required WRIT 5775 and 5776 or 5777)
  • Two courses in technical communication research and theory (required WRIT 8011 and WRIT 8012)
12 cr

Specialty area within WRIT: S&TC or comp-rhet
15 cr

*Electives or minor: WRIT courses (including 5532) or courses in other departments, for example:

  • Computer-mediated communication (internet studies)
  • Feminist studies
  • International/intercultural communication
  • Scientific and technical communication pedagogy
  • Rhetoric and science
  • Rhetoric and technology
  • Science and technology studies
  • Environmental rhetoric
24 cr

Dissertation credits

*The minor or related field usually consists of classes taken outside the writing studies department.

You will also be required to:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language of your choice either by taking three credits or having your advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) certify that you have reading comprehension in a particular language.
  • Take the Ph.D. exams:
    • Preliminary written examination
    • Preliminary oral examination
    • Examination on the dissertation prospectus
    • Final dissertation defense