Rhetoric & Composition Ph.D. Requirements

Graduation Requirements for the Rhetoric & Composition Concentration in the Ph.D. in English (PH5240)

Doctoral students in Rhetoric/Composition study the history and tradition of the discipline from classical rhetoric through contemporary theories of writing. They examine the theoretical implications of composition pedagogies in the context of current developments and practices such as cultural competencies, digital rhetorics, and new media.

Graduation Requirements

The Ph.D. in English requires a minimum of 90 hours, including any credited from prior graduate work. Students must fulfill the requirements for one of the three concentrations (Creative Writing, Literary History, or Rhetoric and Composition). The Director of Graduate Studies will determine which specific courses may fulfill each requirement category.

Professional English Courses

The following professional courses are required for all students:

• ENG 5890 - Teaching College English
• ENG 5950 - Introduction to English Studies
• 8 credit hours chosen from the following:
  • ENG 5915 - Internship
  • ENG 6910 - Apprenticeship in Teaching
  • ENG 7575 - Teaching Writing Online
  • ENG 7770 - Colloquium on the Profession of English
  • ENG 7810 - Professional Issues in Teaching College English
  • Up to 8 hours of a foreign language 

Electives

Complete 12 credit hours of English courses as advised by the Director of Graduate Studies (courses listed in the “Professional English Courses” requirement do not fulfill this requirement).

Rhetoric and Composition Concentration Requirements

Rhetoric and Composition Courses

Complete 16 credit hours in Rhetoric and Composition courses chosen from:
ENG 7560, ENG 7570, ENG 7580, ENG 7590.

• ENG 7560 - Rhetorical Traditions & Histories
• ENG 7570 - Digital Media in Composition Studies
• ENG 7580 - Theories of Writing & Composing
• ENG 7590 - Research Methods in Rhetoric and Composition

Elective

Complete a minimum of one additional ENG course (4 hrs) from Creative Writing, Literary History, and/or Critical Theory. 

Advanced Requirements

All students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination; Literary History and Rhetoric and Composition students must also successfully defend a dissertation prospectus. A minimum of 6 hours of ENG 7940 should be completed for the comprehensive exam.

Culminating Experience

All students complete a dissertation, a book-length manuscript typically at least 200 pages in length, and defend their work to a committee of faculty members both within and outside of the department. A minimum of 6 dissertation hours (ENG 8950) is required and a maximum of 45 dissertation hours (ENG 8950) may count toward degree requirements.