PhD in Rhetoric and Professional Communication in Ames United States | Iowa State University

The PhD program in Rhetoric and Professional Communication emphasizes the study of rhetorical principles, historical contexts, teaching methodologies, and practical applications across various communication formats (written, oral, visual, and electronic) within professional settings like business, science, and government. This advanced degree equips graduates for teaching roles in rhetoric, multimodal composition, and business/technical communication, along with career opportunities as communication experts, content editors, design specialists, and communications directors in both private and public organizations. The curriculum mandates 72 graduate credit hours, culminating in a dissertation, and requires successful completion of a portfolio review, preliminary exams (featuring a comprehensive written test and specialized field assessment), plus a dissertation defense. Additionally, the English Department provides a Master of Arts degree in Rhetoric, Composition, and Professional Communication.