Degree Requirements RW

Students should consult the handbook published during their first year of study for details about degree requirements and progress expectations.

Course Requirements

1. Core Requirements; all of the following core courses (18 credits):

  • WRA 805 Rhetoric Theory and History (3 credits) 
  • WRA 853 Workshop in Rhetoric and Writing (3 credits)
  • WRA 870 Research Methodologies in Rhetoric and Writing (3 credits)
  • WRA 878 Composition Studies: Issues, Theory, and Research (3 credits)
  • WRA 882 Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric (3 credits)
  • WRA 885 Research Colloquium (3 credits)  

2. Concentration Requirements

The purpose of the concentration requirement is for PhD students to develop a specialized area of study complementary to their rhetoric/writing degree. A concentration consists of at least nine credits of course work (typically, three courses) in a specialized area at the graduate level. Every PhD student is required to develop one concentration; however, our experience has shown us that most students do work that crosses and/or combines “official” concentrations. We encourage that creativity and embrace the innovations to our discipline that comes from it.  

The following doctoral concentrations are currently available:  

Critical Studies in Literacy and Pedagogy  

Required for the concentration (9 credits):  

  • AL 881 Teaching with Technology (3 credits; or an acceptable alternative)  

One course in language, literacy, and culture:  

  • WRA 877 Community Literacy (3 credits)
  • WRA 992 Seminar in Literacy Studies (3 credits)

One additional course in research methodology:  

  • CEP 931 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credits)
  • CEP 932 Quantitative Methods in Educational Research I (3 credits)
  • CEP 955 Research Design and Methods for Learning, Technology, and Culture (3 credits)
  • CEP 930 Educational Inquiry (3 credits)
  • WRA 872 Methods of Research in Rhetoric and Writing (3 credits)
  • ANP 833 Ethnographic Analysis (3 credits)

Electives for the concentration (3-6 credits, assembled in consultation with student’s committee) 

Cultural Rhetorics

Required for the concentration:

  • WRA 848 Cultural Rhetorics  (3 credits)
  • Electives for concentration (6 credits, assembled in consultation with student’s committee) 

Digital Rhetoric and Professional Writing

Required for the concentration (6 credits):

Both of the following courses:

  • WRA 415 Digital Rhetoric (3 credits)
  • WRA 841 Professional Writing Theory and Research (3 credits)

Elective for concentration (3 credits); one of the following courses:

  • WRA 410 Advanced Web Authoring (3 credits)
  • WRA 420 Content Strategy (3 credits)
  • WRA 453 Grant and Proposal Writing (3 credits)
  • WRA 482 Information and Interaction Design (3 credits)
  • WRA 852 Portfolio Workshop (3 credits)
  • WRA 860 Multimodal Composing: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
  • WRA 877 Community Literacy (3 credits)
  • WRA 893B Internship in Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • AL 881 Teaching with Technology (3 credits)
  • An STA graphic design course (3 credits; in consultation with STA instructor) 

Self-Designed Concentration

In consultation with their guidance committee, a student must petition the Rhetoric and Writing Graduate Advisory Committee for approval to complete a self-designed concentration. The letter of petition should provide the committee with a list of courses to be taken (minimum of 9 credits, although please note that most self-designed concentrations will require more than the minimum number of credits), a guidance committee that is broadly representative of the breadth of the concentration, and a rationale for the concentration. The rationale should address how the proposed concentration will assist the student’s intellectual work and professional development in the field of rhetoric and writing.

More detailed information about the PhD core and concentration requirements can be found in The WRAC Graduate Programs Handbook.

3. PhD Language Requirement

We believe multiple literacies are important for researchers, scholars, and professionals. Learning a second language is also useful for teachers working with increasing linguistically diverse students in K-college classrooms. Furthermore, for teachers at every level, the experience of language/literacy acquisition as a metadiscourse activity is useful in understanding the complexities of bilingualism of second language learning and use, and of the rhetoricity of literacy practices.

Language options; students must complete the language requirement through one of the following options:

  • Demonstrate second-year proficiency in a non-English language, indigenous American language, or American Sign Language.
  • Complete two courses in language variation.
  • Complete two courses in African American vernacular English and rhetoric.
  • Complete two courses in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
  • With approval of guidance committee and as appropriate to the student’s research interests, complete two courses (or the equivalent) in other language/literature areas.

4. Doctoral Exams 

Students must pass three doctoral exams: the Core, the Concentration, and the Prospectus Defense.  

5. Dissertation  

Students must prepare a dissertation-length (or the multi-media equivalent) original work and successfully defend it. Additionally, students must complete no less than 24, no more than 36, WRA 999 dissertation credits.

The graduate program runs a hands-on semester-long job placement workshop each fall. Participation in this workshop is mandatory for job-seeking Rhetoric & Writing doctoral candidates.  

Completion of the PhD must occur within eight (8) years of entering the program. Completion of all comprehensive exams (core, concentration, pre-dissertation defense) must occur within five (5) years of entering the program. The clock starts ticking the semester of the first class that is counted toward the degree.