PhD in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication

The Rhetoric and Scientific & Technical Communication (RSTC) PhD is now the Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication PhD. The WRTC PhD has an updated name and curriculum; all other degree requirements are the same as the previous RSTC PhD. All prospective PhD students applying for Fall 2026 and beyond will apply to the WRTC PhD program. Please contact Allie Cooperman at [email protected] with any questions.

The PhD program combines foundational coursework with robust research and pedagogical training. Students work with renowned faculty to develop expertise in areas like:

• rhetoric of science, environment, health, and medicine;
• technical communication, including usability, user experience design, and digital literacy;
• critical and intercultural pedagogy;
• multimodal composition; and
• digital and classical rhetorics. 

Our program enables students to become teacher-scholars in their field of choice and lead state-of-the-art research. A master’s degree in a related field is required for direct admission to our PhD program.

Graduate Handbook

Review our PhD handbook for current requirements and policies.

PhD Program Requirements

Coursework

The PhD program requires 67 credits (43 course credits and 24 thesis credits) across five primary requirements. PhD students typically take three courses per semester. MA-to-PhD students have their MA coursework transfer automatically to the PhD.

Methods (3 credits)

PhD students take one required course:

• WRIT 8011: Research Methods in Writing Studies and Technical Communication

Core Areas (10 credits)

PhD students complete four courses (or 10 credits) across the core areas of rhetoric, writing studies and pedagogy, and technical communication:

• Rhetoric: Take either WRIT 5775: Rhetorical Traditions: Classical Period or WRIT 5776: The Rhetorical Traditions: Modern Era.
• Writing Studies: Take both WRIT 5531: Introduction to Writing Theories and Pedagogies and WRIT 5532: Practicum in Writing Pedagogies.
• Technical Communication: Take WRIT 5001: Foundations and Futures of Technical Communication.

Disciplinary Electives (18 credits)

PhD students choose courses in the Department of Writing Studies to develop their scholarly interests. At least two courses must be at the 8xxx level.

Outside Coursework (12 credits)

PhD students choose courses in other departments to further specialize. Students may complete a formal graduate minor to fulfill this requirement. We recommend that one outside course relates to method/ologies of interest to the student.

Thesis Credits (24 credits)

During their program, PhD students enroll in WRIT 8888: Doctoral Thesis Credits. These credits support scholarly development toward the dissertation.

Preliminary Exams

The preliminary exams consist of a written exam and an oral exam. For the WRTC written exam, PhD students create reading lists and write essays in three areas (two of the three WRTC core areas and one specialty area). After passing their written exam, students complete an oral exam with a faculty committee in which they answer questions related to their written exam and exam areas. See the PhD handbook for more details.

Prospectus

Within a year of completing exams, PhD candidates develop a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus describes the dissertation’s research questions(s), the relevant literature, and proposed method/ologies. PhD candidates then meet with their faculty committee to review the prospectus and receive feedback. See the PhD handbook for more details.

Dissertation Defense

In their final year, PhD candidates research and write their dissertation manuscript. The final milestone is the dissertation defense. The first hour of the defense is a public presentation on the dissertation. The second hour of the defense is a closed session between the candidate and the dissertation committee. A sample of previous dissertations from our program are listed on our Career Outcomes page. 

Catalog Requirements

Full Requirements