Candidacy Checklist

Rhetoric and Composition Ph.D. Program Bowling Green State University

Ph.D in Rhetoric and Writing

Degree Requirements for the Rhetoric & Writing PhD Program

The Bowling Green State University Ph.D. in English with Specialization in Rhetoric and Composition requires at least 90 sem hours: up to 30 hours of MA credit and at least 60 hours (of courses, exam preparation, and dissertation work) beyond the MA. Below is an overview of the degree requirements. For more details, please click the left-side link called R&W Program and Course Descriptions. For a PDF copy of the Program’s advising checksheet, click the link on this page.

Master’s Degree Credit (30 sem hrs maximum)

Doctoral Language Requirement

The language requirement must be satisfied before prelims are scheduled.

Date Completed: _________

Doctoral Course Work (60 sem hours minimum)

General Department Course Requirements

ENG 607 Theory & Methods of Criticism or equivalent in the MA program

ENG 615 Modern English Linguistics or equivalent in the MA program

ENG 620 Teaching Writing or equivalent in the MA program

ENG 602 Composition Instructor’s Workshop (required of all first-year teaching assistants) does not count toward required hours.

Core Rhetoric & Writing Courses (21 sem hours)

____History of Rhetoric and Written Discourse (ENG 722)

____Rhetoric and Written Discourse (ENG 724)

____Research in Rhetoric & Writing (ENG 726)

____Computer Mediated Writing: Theory & Practice (ENG 728)

____Publication in Rhetoric & Writing (ENG 729)

____Issues in Historical Rhetoric (currently ENG 780)

____Special Topic R&W Seminar (at least one 780 besides Issues in Historical Rhetoric)

Note: As the core of the Rhetoric & Writing PhD Program, these seven courses (21 hours) may not be waived or substituted.

Elective Rhetoric & Writing Courses(12 to 18 hours)

Students take four to six additional Rhetoric & Writing Program Courses, e.g.: 620, additional 780s and other special-topic R&W courses, Readings courses, Internship, Research Group, Practicum. A course in advanced writing pedagogy is strongly recommended. This is the standard elective approach for the Rhetoric & Writing PhD Program, one intended to help students develop solid backgrounds in a complex field. Option 2: Students with MAs in composition and rhetoric may, with faculty approval, take a cognate (up 12 hours) in an area relevant to their teaching, research, or other career interests (e.g.: Administration, Literature, Technical Writing, Women’s Studies, Speech Communication).

Approved Elective Courses Counted Toward the Degree:

_____ _________________________

Required Examination and Dissertation Hours

____ENG 798 Study for Prelims (3-6 sem hours)

____ENG 799 Dissertation Research (16-21 sem hours)

Other Degree Requirements

Completion of Preliminary Exams

Date Completed: _________

Graduate Lecture (Dissertation-Topic Approval)

Date Completed: _________

Dissertation Defense

Date Completed: _________

Submission of Acceptable Dissertation

Date Completed: _________

Submission of Electronic Copy

Date Submitted: _________

Required Rhetoric & Writing Program Core Courses (21 sem hours):
722 History of Rhetoric and Written Discourse
724 Rhetoric and Written Discourse
726 Research in Rhetoric & Writing
728 Computer Mediated Writing: Theory & Practice
729 Publication in Rhetoric & Writing
780 Advanced Writing Pedagogy
780 Special-Topic Seminar(s) in Rhetoric (one is required)
Recent topics include: "Voice," "Writing & Teaching in the Disciplines," "Cultural Studies in Composition," "Basic Writing," "Writing Administration," and "Silence & Rhetorical Action"

Elective Rhetoric & Writing Program Courses (at least 12 hours): Students take additional Rhetoric and Writing Courses to strengthen their backgrounds in rhetoric and composition (e.g. additional 780s, Reading Courses, 620, Research Group, etc.). Students with MAs in composition and rhetoric may, with faculty approval, take cognates (up to 12 hours) in Administration, Literature, Technical Writing, Women's Studies, Speech Communication or other areas relevant to their career plans.

Option 1: To strengthen their backgrounds in the complex interdisciplinary field of rhetoric and composition, students may take additional Rhetoric and Writing Program Courses, e.g., Teaching Writing, additional Special Topics R&W courses, Readings courses, Internship, Research Group, Practicum. Note: This option is strongly recommended for students without MAs in composition and rhetoric.

Option 2: With R&W faculty approval, students may take cognates (up to 12 hours) in an area relevant to their teaching, research, and other career interests, e.g.: Administration, Literature, TESL, Technical Writing, Women's Studies, Speech Communication

General Department & University Requirements:
607 Theory & Methods of Criticism or equivalent in the MA program
615 Modern English Linguistics or equivalent in the MA program
602 Composition Instructor's Workshop (required of all first-year
teaching assistants) does not count toward required hours.
798 Study for Prelims (3-6 sem hours)
799 Dissertation Research (16-21 sem hours)
Language, Computer, or Research Requirement.

Note: The standard language requirement is described in the handbook. As an alternative, you can work with a Rhetoric faculty member to develop a proposal, for review by the Rhetoric Faculty, about a portfolio of experiences/projects appropriate to your career or dissertation interests.

Rhetoric & Writing Assessment Program:

Periodically, students work with their advisors and a check sheet built around the program's Planning Goals and the department's Learning Outcomes to assess progress and build a portfolio illustrating their work in the Rhetoric & Writing Program.