PhD in Technical Communication and Rhetoric

Overview

The PhD qualifies people to conduct independent research by various methods and thus to contribute to knowledge. The PhD is usually a qualification for a professorial position in a university. The aims of study are broad knowledge of the literature on technical communication and rhetoric, specialized knowledge of some aspect of technical communication or rhetoric as reflected in the dissertation research, and ability to conduct ongoing independent research using one or more methods.

The PhD in Technical Communication & Rhetoric (TCR) is designed for students with an interest in rhetoric, writing, technical communication, and composition. The degree in TCR requires 48 hours of graduate work in rhetoric and technical communication beyond the bachelor's degree, 12 hours of Qualification Exam research, and an additional 12 hours of Dissertation research for a total of 72 hours. Credits earned on a master's degree may count toward these totals.

The degree prepares students for wide array of positions at colleges, university writing programs, and industry positions. The keystone to our success is our specialized courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods taught by the largest TCR faculty program in the world. 

Areas of Emphasis

Students in our programs often specialize in one of three areas: Technical Communication and User-Centered Design; Rhetorical Theory and Practice; or Composition, Writing Studies, and Literacy. These emphasis areas are meant as heuristics to guide students in course selection and career preparation; students are encouraged to take courses in any emphasis area.

Technical Communication and User-Centered Design

Graduate students who specialize in technical communication and user-centered design gain experience in the theories, practices, histories, teaching, and management of workplace communication in institutional and non-institutional settings and in both global and local contexts. Students gain experience in a variety of technical genres; communicating with and about technologies; technical communication practices; design processes; and research methods around usability, user experience, design, and workplace communication—in preparation for positions in industry, consulting, nonprofit work, teaching, and/or research.

Rhetorical Theory and Practice

Graduate students who specialize in rhetorical theory and practice acquire knowledge in traditional study of ancient Greco-Roman rhetoric and build on that knowledge to consider myriad neglected and contemporary rhetorical practices. Students gain experience and knowledge that primes them to research and study public, embodied, visual and other sensory rhetorics; the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine; material and environmental rhetorics; and digital and social media rhetorics. Studying how rhetors, writers, designers, and creators use available means and mediums of persuasion to engage a wide variety of contemporary audiences unites the disparate areas.

Composition, Writing, and Literacy Studies

Graduate students who specialize in composition, writing, and literacy studies gain experience that prepares them to research and study writing, the teaching of writing, composing practices, literacy practices and ideologies, online literacy and writing instruction, digital cultures and new media rhetoric, writing program administration, and other issues related to writing and literacy.

Application Requirements

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL 2025 ADMISSION: JANUARY 10, 2025

All applicants:

• Transcripts (BA and MA* required)
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• 500-700-word statement of purpose outlining your interest in our graduate program
• 3 letters of recommendation. (Recommenders send their letters directly through the TTU Graduate School application portal via a prompt generated by the system)

Onsite applicants only:

• [Optional] If applicable, please describe any prior teaching experience** you may have.

*MA must be "in hand" and official transcripts submitted to TTU Graduate School before start of fall semester.

**Prior teaching experience is not required. However, onsite TCR PhD students work as Graduate Part Time Instructors (GPTI) as part of their appointment. Applicants should indicate what, if any, formal or informal experience they have teaching in any capacity. Note: Applies to onsite students only. GPTI Fellowships are not available for online students.

The Online PhD

Our Online PhD in Technical Communication and Rhetoric is an accessible program that allows students to attend classes while maintaining a full-time job. We make sure that all the courses you’ll need to complete your degree are available for you to take online, and we make sure that those courses can suit your schedule.

In fall, spring, and summer semesters, we offer our courses on weekday evenings in two formats:

1. some courses are entirely online, meaning that all students attend class via video link
2. other classes are “hybrid,” meaning that our online students join our onsite students in the classroom via video link.

In both types of courses, online students participate in classroom discussion every step of the way. The video app we use for these courses – Zoom – is simple to use and makes it easy to be part of the conversation. You can see your professor and your classmates, and you can speak or type to make a contribution. This is just one of the ways we make sure that our online programs give you the same professors, same courses, same degree as you’d get face-to-face.

May Seminar

May Seminar is a three-day intensive workshop that gives online TCR doctoral students the opportunity to collaborate with peers and faculty face-to-face. No matter what phase of the degree you are in, May Seminar offers various support and research opportunities. May Seminar is also an opportunity to meet with faculty for annual reviews and learn about what projects the faculty and TCR program are working on—in short, it is a chance to immerse yourself into the culture of Technical Communication and Rhetoric at Texas Tech University. 

Online PhD students are required to attend May Seminar for five years or until you successfully defend your dissertation, whichever occurs first. You are allowed to petition for an exemption in the case you experience a family or work emergency, but you are only allowed to petition once during your time as a student. May seminar always occurs around Memorial Day depending on the calendar year, the DGS will notify all students of this date at least six months prior to the Seminar. You may choose to attend more than five seminars if you desire. 

The May Seminar fee will include lunch for the duration of the seminar, special event dinners, all daily activities, keynote speakers’ fees and expenses, faculty honorariums, and administrative costs. The fee does not include housing while you are in Lubbock, travel expenses, or other incidentals. The seminar fee is typically $1000 and charged to your summer tuition.

During May Seminar, you will have professional development opportunities and research presentation opportunities (conference paper, poster session, Research-Network Forum, Job Talk practice).  You will have an opportunity to share research ideas with colleagues and faculty and prepare your conference presentations and dissertation “job talks” for future speaking and interviewing roles. These opportunities not only give you practical experience, but allow the faculty to guide you throughout your degree program and prepare you for work in your future profession.

Degree Requirements

The PhD requires at least 60 hours of graduate courses beyond the bachelor's degree and at least 12 additional hours of English 8000 (Doctor's Dissertation). The course requirements include 48 hours in technical communication and rhetoric (TCR) and 12 hours for pre-qualification exam (7000) hours. These hours may include hours earned for the master's degree if the credits earned are eligible for transfer. 

Students must demonstrate proficiency in research methodology. Students with minimal prior coursework or experience in technical communication and rhetoric may be advised to complete undergraduate leveling courses or additional graduate courses.

Required Courses (9 hours): The required courses are as follows:

• Research: 5363 Research Methods in Technical Communication and Rhetoric
• Rhetoric: 5361 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
• Foundations: 5371 Foundations of Technical Communication

Specialization (up to 30 hours): Students may choose from any TCR specialized course offered.

Research Hours (up to 12 hours): Students must enroll in 7000 hours after coursework is complete in preparation for their qualification exams. Students may take up to 12 hours.

Minor (up to 15 hours): The minor is mostly comprised of transfer work from your MA degree or other prior graduate work. Transfer work must be approved by the TCR-DGS and may reduce the number of specialization hours a student is required to take. Individualized degree plans are created for each student before their first semester to customize their experience. 

Research Methods (9 hours): Research methods courses enhance a student's ability to complete and to evaluate research. In addition to ENGL 5363, Research Methods in Technical Communication and Rhetoric, students are required to complete nine graduate hours in research methods courses with a grade of B or better in at least two of the three: ENGL 5362, 5379, 5388, 5394, and 5389.

Annual Review

During your first year of study, you will complete courses in technical communication and rhetoric, your minor, and research methods. You also must complete the first-year review and doctoral degree plan.

The first-year review, along with your admission materials and coursework, assesses your ability to complete requirements for the PhD. It takes the place of a preliminary exam in the TCR program, and it offers an opportunity for mentoring.

This review, in your second semester in the program, is the first of the annual reviews of your progress toward the PhD conducted initially by your advisory committee and later by your dissertation committee.

The review is based on a portfolio composed of a revised paper from a course in your first semester; your report of achievements and plans; evaluations by your first-semester instructors; and an interview with your advisory committee.

The first-year review provides both the student and faculty members a means by which success in the program can be predicted and needs and goals can be determined. The review will indicate your ability to read professional texts critically, to extract important data and to analyze thematic content in professional texts, and to articulate research problems and methods of solving them. The interview provides an opportunity for you and the committee to discuss course choices and possible dissertation topics. The chair of the advisory committee prepares a written report of the review for the Director of Graduate Studies in Technical Communication and Rhetoric (DGS TCR) including recommendations of the committee. The DGS TCR forwards a report to the Graduate School Dean, per the graduate school rules.

The doctoral degree plan specifies your plans for meeting the requirements of coursework, including research methods courses, and residence. It defines your dissertation area in general terms. You must prepare the doctoral degree plan, in consultation with the DGS TCR and your advisory committee, upon completion of the first-year review but within one year of your initial enrollment. The DGS TCR forwards the degree plan to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval.

The DGS TCR completes the paperwork for all graduate students in the Technical Communication and Rhetoric program, including the doctoral degree plan and annual reviews. In addition, this person advises students in the early stages of their doctoral program.

During your first year of study, you will be assigned an advisory committee consisting of two graduate faculty members in TCR. This committee will help you navigate the choices early in your doctoral studies, possibly helping you decide on a minor, research methods courses, courses in technical communication and rhetoric, and even dissertation projects.

Your advisory committee will also conduct your first-year review and subsequent annual reviews of your academic progress until you have selected a dissertation committee. You will meet with your advisory committee at least once a year, and it is recommended that you meet with individual members of your advisory committee more frequently.

By the end of your second year you will be required to select a dissertation committee of three faculty members. This committee may consist of some or all of your advisory committee, or it may comprise an entirely new group.

The dissertation committee will assume the duties of the advisory committee, including an annual review of your academic progress. It will also compose and grade your qualifying examination, advise you regarding your dissertation, and conduct your final oral presentation. The chair and other members should have expertise in the area of your dissertation research.

Each year (early in the spring semester for on-campus students and during the May Workshop for online students) either your advisory committee or your dissertation committee will provide the DGS TCR with a written review of your academic progress. This review will consider your accomplishments in the past year and includes a personal interview conducted by your committee. The purpose of the annual review is to provide you and the technical communication and rhetoric faculty a clear assessment of your strengths, to identify opportunities for professional development, and to support timely and effective completion of the program.

Qualifying Exams and Dissertation Process

Qualifying Exam

Within a year of completing your coursework, you must take the doctoral qualifying exams and prepare for the dissertation research. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the issues that interest the fields of rhetoric, composition, and technical communication, including achievements and gaps in knowledge. Your qualifying exam responses help to establish and confirm your qualifications to proceed to dissertation research. Your qualifying exam responses also offer you an opportunity to indicate your intended research trajectory, your dissertation project's intended research questions, and your ability to use research methods approporiate to the field and your project. Indeed, preparation for the exams is to launch you into your dissertation research.

Your qualifying exam is linked to your pre-proposal and reading list (refer below). 

Thus, you will be examined, in part, over materials related to your dissertation project as described in your pre-proposal and as approved by your dissertation committee, as well as the materials on your reading list, also approved by your committee.

The typical process follows this timeline:

• Confirm dissertation committee chair and members
• Draft Pre-proposal and Reading List (under committee's guidance)
• Commitee confirms Pre-proposal and Reading List (at least 4 months before exam)
• Take Qualifying exam
• Meet with your committee regarding exam results (≈2 weeks after exam)
• Final dissertation proposal (≈6 weeks after exam)

Pre-Proposal and Reading List

Pre-Proposal

Although you will refine your dissertation topic as you read for your exams, you should have an idea of the topic and methods when you prepare your reading lists. Consult with your dissertation committee members to define your areas of interest. Based on these discussions with your committee, write a dissertation pre-proposal of approximately 2500 words.

This pre-proposal will identify the problem or challenge requiring research, include drafts of your proposed research questions, include a review some of the basic literature regarding the problem, outline goals and methods of research for adding to the knowledge regarding the problem, and include a tentative outline of chapters. The pre-proposal will also explain how the materials on your reading lists relate to your dissertation research and serve as a rationale for the definition of examination fields.

Your preliminary proposal needs to be approved by your dissertation committee at least four months before your exam. You may use this planning worksheet.

Students should develop the pre-proposal and reading list together to provide the student and their committee with a more synergistic understanding of the student's dissertation and exams preparation.

Reading List

Students must also develop and submit to the committee a reading list of 100 books or the equivalent in articles (four articles equal one book)*, materials that address issues in TCR broadly defined and materials significant for your area of interest within the field and intended dissertation project.

You may group the items by themes or issues, such as "composition pedagogy," "history of rhetoric," "user experience methods," or "visual rhetorics." Some of these books and articles you will have read already in your classes. Others—especially those relating to your dissertation—will likely be new to you. The topics of these books and articles should engage issues in technical communication and rhetorical studies broadly but also any topic related to your intended dissertation research and research methods.

To make studying for the exams more efficient, begin compiling your reading list during your coursework. Furthermore, you may want to write a summary of each book or article as you read it for class to review when studying for your qualifying exam. Throughout the process, consult your chair and committee members for recommendations/suggestions regarding what to include or remove from your reading list.

Your reading list needs to be approved by your dissertation committee at least four months before the scheduled exam.

When your pre-proposal and reading list are finalized, your committee chair will supervise scheduling your exam and they (or, you, the student) should report those dates to the DGS-TCR.

*This range is intended as a heuristic/guideline. In reality, students may develop a list of 25 books and 300 articles, or 17 books and 332 articles, or 47 books and 212 articles, etc... Far more important, however, is that your list enables you to engage as comprehensively as possible with the most significant research done in our field that is relevant to your proposed project.

Examination Policy

You must complete all coursework before attempting exams.

Scheduling your Exam

The dates of the qualifying exam are flexible, based on agreement by student and committee. Once your reading list and pre-proposal are approved, schedule a date no earlier than four months away for your exam. During these four months students should read or review items on the reading list and otherwise prepare for the exam while the student's committee prepares the exam questions.

Remember: You need to inform the DGS-TCR of your exam dates in advance. The DGS-TCR will file the Qualifying Exam Report with the graduate school once your committee has administered your exam and completed their assessment.

Examination Procedures

Examinations will consist of three or four take-home questions to be answered over a four-day period.

For example, if you receive your list of take-home exam questions on Thursday at noon, you will be expected to turn in your answers the following Monday at noon.

You are encouraged to spend approximately 8-12 hours writing the entire exam, which should have a word count of at least 6000 words for the entire exam. Your answer to each question should include a works-cited list. Formal citation style applies. Of the questions, two will typically relate specifically to your proposed dissertation topic and might eventually serve as dissertation content: one of these might ask you to theorize your methodology plans, and the other might ask you to elaborate on some theoretical issue that would relate to the literature you hope to utilize in your project.

Other questions may ask you to demonstrate a broad understanding of the field of technical communication and rhetoric and one that will address an area of the field unrelated to your dissertation topic. (For instance, if your dissertation is in rhetoric of science, you might be asked a question about computers and writing.)

Your advisor will solicit possible exam questions from all committee members and will base the exam questions on this list of suggestions. You may be given a choice of questions in one or more of the areas. You should consult with your dissertation chair about sample exams. NOTE: Chairs/Committee members may not provide copies of previous exam questions or answers.

In keeping with the standards of the TCR program and the university's policies regarding academic honesty, you are expected to maintain the highest standard of integrity. Any attempt to present as your own any work you have honestly and personally performed will be regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense. You may not have your exam copy edited or proofread by a third party. We expect this exam to be composed of original responses to questions written during your exam time.

Post-Exam Meeting

Approximately two weeks after the date of the qualifying exams, a meeting between you and your dissertation committee will be scheduled by the dissertation chair. At that meeting, you and your committee will discuss the outcome of your exams and any necessary topics that need to be addressed before moving forward with the dissertation, including the problem statement, methods of research, and scope. If the committees agrees you have passed your exams, the chair will communicate that to the DGS-TCR, who will report this to the graduate school. In the case of exam failure, the post-exam meeting will be used to discuss what's expected when you retake the exams.

Satisfactory Performance
When you have passed the qualifying exams and have completed the post-exam meeting with your dissertation committee, the DGS-TCR will recommend to the Graduate Dean that you be admitted to candidacy for the doctorate. You must be admitted to candidacy for the doctorate at least four months prior to the proposed graduation date. Your final dissertation proposal will be due four weeks after this meeting.

Unsatisfactory Performance
If the qualifying exam is not satisfactory, the DGS-TCR will relay this information in writing to the Graduate Dean. Two weeks after the exams, you will meet with your dissertation committee to discuss your performance and to establish a plan for re-taking the exam. You may be permitted to repeat the exam once after a time lapse of at least four months and not more than 12 months from the date of the unsatisfactory examination. Failure to pass the qualifying exam within the specified time will result in dismissal from the program irrespective of performance in other aspects of doctoral study.

Final Dissertation Proposal

Approximately six weeks after your post-exam meeting, your final dissertation proposal will be due to your dissertation chair, who will either ask for revisions or will share it with committee members. This proposal, 10,000 words or more, should

• articulate the exigency for your research project or provide a problem statement,
• include your proposed research questions,
• provide an overview of research methods,
• include a literature review,
• include a draft outline of proposed dissertation chapters, as well as
• provide a timeline for project completion (through graduation).

Ideally, your proposal can serve as a substantial draft for parts of one or more chapters of your dissertation write-up. The proposal also serves as a roadmap that you and your committee should use to track the direction and progress of your developing dissertation through to completion.

Contact

Dr. Beau Pihlaja
Program Director and Advisor
english.tcr@ttu.edu

 

View Dissertation Archive