PhD in Rhetoric
Earn your doctoral degree in rhetoric at TWU
Our PhD program is unique for its merger of rhetoric, writing and literature at a time when related academic units at other institutions are breaking away from one another. Philosophically and practically, we see that these subjects intersect and believe you will benefit from their combined study. Coursework consists of a core set of rhetoric classes, a self-designed area of specialization, and electives to ensure you have both a broad knowledge base and a deep understanding of your desired sub-field(s). As part of the Department of Language, Culture & Gender Studies at TWU, our program also collaborates closely with the Multicultural Gender and Women’s Studies Program and offers a number of cross-listed courses and interdisciplinary study opportunities.
As a doctoral student in our program, you will develop the ability to:
- Work both collaboratively and independently.
- Lead your peers.
- Supervise the work of others.
- Conduct and present original research in oral and written forms.
- Use technology in the classroom.
- Structure and plan your own courses.
- Teach effectively.
We offer a range of face-to-face, online and hybrid graduate courses to allow our working, commuting and parenting students the opportunity to balance rigorous academic course work with their busy lives. Our face-to-face graduate courses are offered one day per week, typically in late afternoon or evening. Prospective and current students may apply for a distance-learning designation that allows for the PhD in Rhetoric to be completed fully online. A limited number of virtual seats in face-to-face courses will be guaranteed to distance learners. For more information, please contact the graduate program coordinator.
Career outlook
Our program will prepare you to lead a fulfilling career as a teacher, leader in your academic department, and researcher within the fields of rhetoric and literature by cultivating your proficiency in discourse analysis, communicative studies, writing and research. While this program largely serves the needs of aspiring post-secondary teachers, you will be prepared to contribute professionally in fields as diverse as writing, editing, government and business.
Opportunities for professional development
Our one-on-one mentorship, range of leadership opportunities, small class sizes, and varied course delivery methods set our PhD program apart. Students who receive graduate assistantships work in a variety of capacities, including:
- Tutors in our campus writing center, The Write Site.
- Course assistants for tenure-track faculty members who teach first-year writing, professional writing, literature and theory courses.
- Teachers of record in their own first-year writing courses or literature courses.
We host regular professional development meetings for our first-year writing teachers. As part of a conscious effort to support your transition from student to professional colleague, we also will provide additional mentorship as you begin to present and publish your own scholarship.
Technology is integral to our program. You will take courses in online pedagogy, and our graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) serve as teachers of record in computer labs and in hybrid and fully online courses. GTAs can also receive formal (paid) training in a month-long university online teaching development program.
Degree details
Admission requirements
Program Contact
Dundee Lackey, PhD
Graduate Program Coordinator
940-898-2159
dlackey@twu.edu
Application Deadlines
Fall – February 1 (priority review), July 1
Spring – November 1
Summer – February 1
Admission Requirements
- Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants who lack the appropriate foundational degree (the bachelor's or master's) in English, literature, writing, or rhetoric may be required to complete a deficiency plan prior to beginning graduate courses in English. Specific requirements depend on an individual student's undergraduate course work in the discipline but may include 12-15 hours. Additional information on deficiency plans may be obtained from the graduate program coordinator.
- Applicants to the program are expected to have earned a master's degree prior to beginning the doctoral program. At least one degree, either the bachelor's or master's, should be in English, writing, rhetoric, or a closely related field. If the department chooses to consider an applicant without a previous English, writing, or rhetoric degree, she or he may be awarded provisional admission. Provisional status may include a leveling plan which includes undergraduate and/or graduate-level courses in the English department.
- Minimum of a 3.0 GPA on previous upper-division and graduate work.
- Score of 79 or higher on TOEFL (iBT) for international students.
- Statement of purpose.
- An academic writing sample.
- Name, Email addresses, and phone number for three academic or professional references familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application.
Graduate Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships are available to students enrolled in the PhD program. Assistantships are competitive as they provide stipends and out-of-state tuition waivers. For best consideration, students are encouraged to apply for assistantships at the same time they apply to the program. Additional information about types of work available and expectations can be obtained from the graduate program coordinator. Visit Career Connections to search for assistantship opportunities, and apply through TWU Connect and Handshake. A personal interview may be required for graduate students who are seeking an assistantship.
Students interested in applying to graduate programs in English and Rhetoric are encouraged to contact the graduate program coordinator prior to applying. Writing samples and statements of purpose are of particular importance in the application process.
Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.
- Apply online.
Apply to Graduate Programs via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below. - Submit transcripts to TWU.
- Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details. Original transcripts for each college/university attended must be submitted, even if referred to on another schools transcripts.
- International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
- Submit Recommendation Requests
If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application. List of programs-majors. - Pay the application fee.
The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:- Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
- Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
- Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.
- Submit Program supplemental documents
- Submit all program specific materials such as: Resume, Statement of Purpose, Artist or Research Statement, Scholarly Writing Sample, Custom Essay, Portfolio Document, Video Submission, Licensure, Department Specific Application, Teaching Service Record, Teaching Certificate, etc. following submission of your application fee.
Watch for emails from your new program/department that may come to your TWU email address.
For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.
Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.
International student admission requirements
All students for whom an English proficiency test is required must meet the following minimum criteria:
- TOEFL (paper-based): Score of 550 or higher
- TOEFL (computer-based): Score of 213 or higher
- TOEFL iBT: Score of 79 or higher
- MELAB: Score of 80 or higher
- IELTS: Score of 6.5 or higher
- GRE: Verbal score of 500 or higher
Scholarships and financial aid
There are a number of scholarships designated specifically for students within the TWU English, Rhetoric and Spanish Program. Explore our graduate and organizational scholarships.
To apply for financial aid, please visit the TWU Financial Aid website.
Need more information?
Contact our graduate program coordinator, Dundee Lackey, PhD, at dlackey@twu.edu or:
Page last updated 1:22 PM, March 21, 2025