College of Liberal Arts

180 Wesbrook Hall
77 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-624-3445
Fax: 612-624-3617
E-mail: writ@umn.edu

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

For the Ph.D. you are required to earn a minimum of 42 credits beyond the master's, 21 of which must be taken in writing studies classes and seminars. You will take:

  • 2 courses (6 credits) in rhetorical theory and criticism beyond the M.A. requirements,
  • 2 courses in technical communication research and theory (6 credits) including WRIT 8011 and 8012,
  • 2 courses (6 credits) in a specialty area,
  • 6 credits in research methods courses,
  • 12 credits in a minor or related field.

Minor or supporting programs may focus on areas such as communication studies; English; curriculum and instruction; gender, women, and sexuaity studies; cognitive psychology; and the history of science, and 6 elective credits to fulfill the minimum credit requirement. You may fulfill 18 credits of Ph.D. work in completing M.A. requirements (usually includes 1 course in rhetorical theory and 5 courses in other core areas, specialty area, or related field).

Specialty Areas

This list of specialty areas represents some of the areas of interest and expertise of the faculty in the RSTC program. We urge to take advantage of the writing studies seminars in these areas. You may create other specialty areas in consultation with your advisor.

  • Science and rhetoric
  • Computer-mediated communication (Internet studies)
  • Feminist theory in science, technology, and communication
  • Scientific and technical communication pedagogy
  • Technology and culture
  • Environmental rhetoric (sub-area)
  • International / intercultural studies (sub-area)

Program Requirements

6 cr 2 courses in rhetorical theory and criticism
(WRIT 5775 is required if not taken in the master’s program.)
(These must be Rhet courses unless advisor approves otherwise.)
WRIT 5775 Major Figures in the Rhetorical Tradition: Classical Era
WRIT 5776 Major Figures in the Rhetorical Tradition: Modern Era
6 cr 2 courses in technical communication research and theory
(required WRIT 8011 and WRIT 8012)
WRIT 8012 can be a course in rhetorical criticism
6-12 cr 2 courses in a selected specialty area, for example:
  • Computer-mediated communication (internet studies)
  • Environmental rhetoric
  • Feminist studies
  • International/intercultural communication
  • Scientific and technical communication pedagogy*
  • Rhetoric and science
  • Rhetoric and technology
  • Science and technology studies.
0-6 cr Research methods courses.
12 cr Minor or related field.**
6 cr Electives to fulfill the minimum credit requirement pedagogy courses.
24 cr Dissertation credits.

*If you wish to teach but have no college teaching experience, you are required to take WRIT 5531.
**The minor or related field usually consists of classes taken outside the writing studies department.

You will also be required to:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language of your choice either by taking three credits or having your advisor and the DGS certify that you have reading comprehension in a particular language.
  • Take the Ph.D. exams:
    • Preliminary written examination
    • Preliminary oral examination
    • Examination on the dissertation prospectus
    • Final dissertation defense