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Rhetoric and Composition - Ph.D.

English - Rhetoric and Composition - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in English, with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition, concentrates on the ways literacy practices shape people's lives in educational, workplace and public spheres. The coursework emphasizes data-rich and methodologically sophisticated research and prepares students to investigate literacy, rhetoric and social practice. Collaborative research with faculty, administrative opportunities and community outreach prepare students to sustain and advance in the discipline. Graduates contribute in meaningful ways to university communities and the larger public sphere.

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Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition

Kent State University's Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition is a rigorous program designed to prepare students for advanced research, teaching, and leadership in the field of writing and rhetoric. The program offers in-depth study of rhetorical theory, composition pedagogy, and writing research, emphasizing both scholarly inquiry and practical application. Through a combination of coursework, research projects, and teaching experience, students develop expertise in crafting effective communication strategies and contributing to the advancement of rhetoric and composition studies. Graduates are well-equipped for academic positions, research roles, and leadership positions in writing and communication, with the skills needed to influence educational practices and contribute to scholarly discourse.

Program Information for English - Rhetoric and Composition - Ph.D.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Develop knowledge of the field of rhetoric and composition, its application in diverse contexts and its role in contemporary culture.
  2. Generate research questions, develop appropriate research designs and practice ethical modes of inquiry.
  3. Participate in local and international communities of like-minded scholars and teachers.
  4. Contribute new knowledge in the field of rhetoric and composition.
Admissions for English - Rhetoric and Composition - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Writing sample (8-15 pages) relevant to the field of study
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 102 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 73 PTE score
    • Minimum 130 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: January 15
      Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
Coursework
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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
ENG 75012READING AND INTERPRETING RESEARCH ON WRITING 13
ENG 75022RHETORICAL THEORY:GREEK AND ROMAN 3
ENG 75044RESEARCH DESIGN 13
ENG 75051LITERACY:FUNCTIONS, PRACTICES AND HISTORY 3
Theory Electives, choose from the following:9
ENG 75023
RHETORICAL THEORY:18TH, 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES
ENG 75027
ROLE OF COMPOSITION
ENG 75035
LINGUISTICS FOR RHETORICIANS
ENG 85024
DOMAIN RHETORICS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE
ENG 85055
THE NATURE AND RELATIONSHIP OF ACADEMIC AND NONACADEMIC LITERACY
ENG 85056
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF WRITING ASSESSMENT: RESEARCH, THEORY AND PRACTICE
Practice Electives, choose from the following:9
ENG 75052
WRITING ACTIVITY AS SOCIAL PRACTICE
ENG 75053
WRITING TECHNOLOGIES
ENG 85041
FIELD RESEARCH METHODS IN WRITING
ENG 85042
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
ENG 85054
STUDIES IN LITERACY AND COMMUNITY
ENG 85057
RHETORICAL METHODS
Culminating Requirement
ENG 89199DISSERTATION I 230
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
1

When scheduling permits, students should take ENG 75012 as a prerequisite to ENG 75044; there will be semesters however, when students need to take ENG 75012 and ENG 75044 simultaneously if they want to take ENG 75044.

2

Students, with guidance from faculty, complete a qualifying examination before writing a dissertation prospectus. Upon the successful completion of the qualifying examination, students form a dissertation committee whose members direct the student through the dissertation and the completion of the degree. Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for ENG 89199 for a total of 30 hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter ENG 89299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
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