Research Programs
The Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) are designed for students looking to develop expertise in the theory and practice of the writing studies fields.
Program Highlights
- Learn from renowned faculty specializing in rhetoric of health and medicine, critical pedagogy, digital literacy, feminist rhetorics, and more.
- Develop pedagogical skills as a graduate instructor teaching one course per semester.
- Prepare for a career in higher education, program administration, technical communication, and more within a community that celebrates a wide range of professional goals.
Why Pursue a Graduate Degree in WRTC?
WRTC students become scholars in the fields of rhetoric, writing studies, and technical communication, leading state-of-the-art research with local, national, and global significance. Through a combination of foundational coursework, research in collaboration with award-winning faculty, and pedagogical training, our students learn to lead in academic, professional, scientific, and civic contexts by connecting discourses, identities, and power relations.
Our students build important, transferable skills in communication, teaching, leadership, project management and more. WRTC graduates are prepared for many different careers inside and outside academia; we get to know students’ unique goals so that we can provide individualized support throughout the program.
Learn more about WRTC in the video below! In this video, PhD Candidate Caitlin Baulch describes the primary research and teaching themes in Writing Studies, as well as different ways we support graduate students’ career and professional development.
Explore our Research Program Options
| Program | Length | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| MA in WRTC | 4 Terms (2 Years) | Our MA program is for students looking to begin their graduate training in the WRTC fields. |
| PhD in WRTC | 10 Terms (5 Years) | Our PhD program is for students who already have a relevant master’s degree. |
| Graduate Minor in WRTC | 2 Terms (Masters) or 4 Terms (Doctoral) | Our Graduate Minor program is for current University of Minnesota graduate students who want to supplement their major program with important skills in rhetoric, writing studies, and technical communication. |
Contact Us!
We welcome your questions! Please contact [email protected] to learn more about our programs and the opportunities that the Department of Writing Studies provides our graduate students.