Technical Communication and Rhetoric

The technical communication and rhetoric program is designed to meet the interests and needs of students who aspire to conduct advanced study of and research into the communicative practices of organizations.

Grounded in rhetorical inquiry, the program provides students with advanced study in the communicative and cultural dimensions of artifacts, processes, and technologies.

Researchers in professional communication pursue knowledge about discourse and communicative practices in organized contexts, including business, academic, scientific, technical, and nonprofit settings. They study communication as it is or has been practiced in actual, lived contexts. They primarily use theories and research methodologies associated with rhetoric and professional communication. These researchers are particularly interested in how communicative practices shape and are shaped by culture, technology, history, and theories of communication.

Applicants must have a masters degree in a subject area that complements their professional reason(s) for pursuing a PhD in Technical Communication and Rhetoric.

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
• Provide a letter of intent
• Provide a current curriculum vita
• Submit two writing samples (a total of 20-40 pages), exhibiting your best writing. The samples may include academic or non-academic writing, but at least one of the samples should demonstrate your critical research skills.

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Admission Deadlines

The department has the following application deadline:

• Fall semester January 15

Students must take a six-credit research internship course that is designed to immerse students in research that will lead to their dissertation.

PhD Qualifying Exams:

Students are also required to successfully complete two major exams in order to advance in the PhD program. The first of these is a portfolio (qualifying) exam, which is to be taken at the end of the first year. The second is a comprehensive exam, which is to be taken at the completion of formal coursework. Successful completion of the comprehensive exam is required before students can begin formal work on their dissertation research.

At the end of their first year in the program, students will submit an individual portfolio of their work. Professional and/or academic work may be selected for inclusion in the portfolio, though it must be work the student has completed during their first year. The portfolio must include at least four documents and their accompanying reflective statements. To proceed beyond their first year in the program, students must pass the portfolio (qualifying) exam with a grade of high pass, pass, or low pass. A grade of low pass, while allowing the student to continue in the program, does serve to indicate concern about the student's ability to successfully complete the program. There are no retakes, and decisions are final.

At the end of their formal course work, students will write a comprehensive exam. This exam is comprised of two essays. Though the comprehensive exam is taken at the completion of coursework, students should begin preparing for this exam upon starting the program. To complete the exam, students are responsible for generating a reading list from which exam questions will be formulated, which must include at least 100 items. After submitting their reading list, students should meet with the members of their committee to discuss their reading. It is from these conversations that the exam questions will be drawn. For each essay, students will be given two questions and asked to answer one. The average exam length is 15 pages per essay. In addition, each essay must also include a works cited list. Students will have 72 hours from the time they are given the exam questions to complete both essays.

Financial Assistance

All PhD students that meet the qualifications are supported with graduate school tuition awards, subsidized health insurance, and a monthly stipend for work performed as graduate instructors in instructional activities or research assistants in research groups.

Students often work as professors of technical communication. Primarily they find work in teaching and academic research. Occasionally graduates have careers in non-academic environments as administrators or in research positions.

1. Visit Our Website

a. Go to gradschool.usu.edu/apply/ to start the application process.

b. Read all admissions requirements on our website.

c. Click on the “Apply Now” button to create an account to apply.

2. Fill Out Application

a. Fill out the following information:

i. Personal

ii. Demographic

iii. Misdemeanor/Felony information, if necessary

iv. Citizenship

v. Academic History

vi. Intended Program of Study Information

vii. NOTE: You cannot submit supplemental items until you have filled out all personal and demographic information, submitted the application, and paid the application fee.

b. Make sure to select the correct entry term (e.g., Spring 2022, Fall 2022, etc.)

c. Submit the application and pay the fee.

i. If you have a waiver code, use it in the discount code box to waive the fee.

3. Supplemental Items

a. Log back into the USU Recruit Application Portal.

b. Enter your application to submit items.

c. Required supplemental items may include, but are not limited to, the following (Please check with your intended program for specific details):

i. Transcripts

1. USU applicants do not need to send transcripts. We pull them from our system for you.

2. All other applicants, please send your official transcripts to the following address:

a. School of Graduate Studies

Utah State University

0900 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-0900

b. Please note that in order to be considered official, the transcript must (1) be sent directly from the institution to Utah State University, or (2) be forwarded by the applicant with the transcript remaining in the original, unopened envelope from the institution.

ii. Letters of Recommendation

1. Fill out the recommendation request forms. Recommendations must come from referee, not from applicant, to be considered valid.

iii. Statement of Purpose

iv. Test Scores

1. GRE Scores

a. Send to school code 4857

2. MAT Scores

a. Send to school code 2273

3. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

d. International applicants must also include:

i. Proof of English language proficiency through one of the options below.

1.TOEFL Scores – 71 or higher

a. Send to school code 4857

2. IELTS Academic Scores – 6.0 or higher

a. Upload student copy to application, clearly showing TRF number.

b. Our test score processor will upload official scores.

3. Completion of at least 24 credits of post-secondary/university course work taught in the U.S. in English, excluding English as a second language courses. Courses must have been taken at an accredited college or university to be considered for direct admission.

4. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

ii. A certified English translation of any transcript originally penned in another language.

1. Due to COVID-19 constraints, Utah State University is temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts from international applicants. Upon admittance, students will be required to submit an official transcript before registering for classes.

iii. Proof of Financial Support

1. Affidavit of Financial Support

2. Bank Statement Copy

iv. Passport Copy

v. International applicants can direct any questions not related to the information above to the Office of Global Engagement.