Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture Doctorate

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  1. Ph.D. Core12
    ENGL 755
    		Composition Theory
    ENGL 756
    		Composition Research
    ENGL 760
    		Graduate Scholarship
    ENGL 762
    		Critical Theory
    Other research methods3
    COMM 704
    		Qualitative Research Methods in Communication
    COMM 767
    		Rhetorical Criticism
    ENGL 649
    		Usability and User Experience
    SOC 700
    		Qualitative Methods
    SOC 701
    		Quantitative Methods
    Pedagogy3
    ENGL 764
    		Teaching Workshop for Writing Instructors
    ENGL 765
    		Upper Division Writing: Pedagogy, Practice, and Technology
    ENGL 766
    		Teaching Literature
    Additional graduate-level courses 121-51
    Experiential learning 29
    Dissertation Research15
    ENGL 899
    		Doctoral Dissertation
    1

    Students select, in consultation with their advisor, additional courses inside the English department that match their research and deepen their understanding of the field. Three additional methods, pedagogy, or theory courses may be taken from outside the English department, as approved by advisor and graduate director. Courses in this category may be at the 600-, 700-, or 800-level. Note that students with no background in English studies must include courses in literature and linguistics in their plan of study and that topics and studies courses may be repeated.

    2

    Teaching Mentorship (0-6 credits); may be take twice but total may not exceed 6 credits.

    • Students work with faculty to read theory and co-teach 200, 300, or 400 level class. ENGL 792 Graduate Teaching Experience or ENGL 892 Graduate Teaching Experience 

    Internship (0-6 credits); may be taken twice but total may not exceed 6 credits.

    • Students work in administrative, editing, consulting, or writing roles. 

    Life experience (0-3 credits).

    • Students submit, in consultation with their advisor and the graduate director, a portfolio that reflects their professional experience prior to enrolling in the program. 

    Experiential Learning forms are found on the department website.  

Comprehensive Exams

Comprehensive exams are taken after the successful completion of 72 credits (grade B or higher) and are administered by the student’s supervisory committee, which is comprised of a committee chair and two readers from within the department. The exams consist of two timed, written exams. 

Dissertation: 15 credits (English 899)

The dissertation proposal precedes formal work on the dissertation. The supervisory committee is comprised of the three members of the exam committee, plus a Graduate School Representative (GSR) from outside the department.

Admission and Application Requirements

Graduate School admission and application requirements are found on the Admission Information page. In addition to these requirements, the following are required:

  • In most cases, a completed Master of Arts or Science degree, but exceptional candidates may be admitted directly out of the bachelor's degree

  • Have completed a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, or Master of Science from an accredited educational institution.

  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5.

  • An academic writing sample, not to exceed 20 pages, that reflects the student's academic or professional interests and that demonstrates the student's critical and analytical abilities

  • A statement of purpose that includes the following:

    • coursework you plan to complete in the program

    • faculty members with whom you wish to study

    • research you plan to pursue

    • a sense of what you hope to do once you have completed a doctoral degree in English

    • how your education and/or life experience have prepared you for graduate work

  • A letter stating the interest in and qualifications for a teaching assistantship.