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Basics 

What is Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s program like? What kind of research can I do? 

We are situated in the foothills of the Franklin Mountains, a small mountain range in the westernmost tip of Texas. We are also part of the Chihuahuan desert and enjoy 297 days of sunshine a year, which is why El Paso is known as “the Sun City.” Our environment, and our infrastructure as the largest border metroplex in the world, comprising Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, have a profound influence on our work. We have a strong focus on culture, language, access, and creativity.    

The program is intense and academically rigorous, with a firm grounding in both rhetorical theory and composition studies. Our faculty are committed to serving our student population and our community. Faculty and students largely do cultural and digital work that is community driven. For a more detailed description, please visit the main program page and our faculty and student pages.  

I teach English in primary or secondary school. Is this degree appropriate for me? 

You should be able to apply aspects of this degree to teaching English in the primary and secondary levels. Some secondary school teachers pursue this degree to become involved in curriculum design or administration; however, in terms of pedagogy the degree is primarily geared towards post-secondary level teaching.  

How long does it take to finish the degree? 

Full-time students take an average of five years to finish the degree. The degree consists of four semesters of coursework followed by the development of a portfolio (literature review, dissertation proposal, publication submission or equivalent, and CV) and then the dissertation.  

Can I pursue the degree while working full-time? 

Due to the intense nature of doctoral study, the program enrolls mostly full-time students. However, students with full-time jobs and flexible work schedules can be admitted to the program. The Assistant Instructorship is a way for full-time students to move through the program with funding.   

Will I be able to get a job with this degree? 

Our alumni placement demonstrates that this program opens the door to a variety of excellent opportunities within and outside of academia. While the areas of need and specialization vary year to year, the for individuals with doctorates in Rhetoric and Composition has remained strong over the years. Many students who gravitate towards this field have a true vocation for teaching and research, so most of our students aim for and find academic jobs. Still, in today’s changing world, we encourage students to keep an open mind and prepare to transfer their research, writing and teaching skills to positions in industry, non-profits, or government in which they see themselves thriving. 

Application Process 

Can I come see the campus and talk to the faculty? 

We strongly encourage prospective students to schedule a campus visit. Please contact our director or assistant directors for more information about scheduling a visit.  

How do I apply to the Program? 

We currently admit new doctoral students during the Fall term each year and the application deadline is January 15 to be considered for funding. We accept applications until March 1 for self-funded students or students who wish to be put on a funding waitlist.  

You’ll first need to create an application to the In addition to the information in the application and the application fee, we require a Statement of Purpose, unofficial transcripts (official transcripts required upon admission), two writing samples, and three letters of recommendation. For international students, we require proof of English proficiency through the TOEFL, TOEFL IBT, IELTS, or Duolingo. For information on scores and other requirements click here.  

We strongly encourage applicants to contact us with questions or concerns about the application process.  

Are GRE scores required for admission? 

The doctoral program in Rhetoric and Composition does not require GRE scores for admission. Please refer to the question above regarding English proficiency test requirements for international students.  

What types of writing samples should be submitted for the application? 

To complete the application process, you will need to submit two writing samples. The purpose of these samples is to showcase your research and analytical experience and potential to do PhD-level work in Rhetoric and Composition. At least one of the writing samples should be a research paper. The other writing sample may be another analytical paper, a selection of writing you've done in the workplace, or a website/multimodal project. 

Program Requirements 

What are the coursework requirements?  

Coursework typically takes four full-time semesters, and requirements are listed . Requirements include five core PhD courses, a community literacy internship, and for assistant instructors, a composition pedagogy course. For students new to RWS, we require an introduction to RWS course. For the remaining courses, we offer a variety of electives on a rotating basis.  

What is the pre-dissertation portfolio? 

The pre-dissertation portfolio consists of a literature review, an article, a dissertation proposal (and its successful defense), and a CV. For years the program relied on a qualifying exam between coursework and dissertation work. Now we have a portfolio requirement instead. The portfolio allows students to begin to work on their dissertation research in a scaffolded manner by preparing a comprehensive literature review related to their research focus. Students use this research to prepare two additional components of the portfolio: a publication for submission and their dissertation proposal (and accompanying defense). Finally, students also submit an IRB for approval, if required, and their CV.  

What does the dissertation consist of? 

The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship that explores in depth one aspect of rhetoric and composition. It is typically a scholar’s initial way of entering a significant conversation in the field. It consists of primary and/or secondary research, focuses solely on theory or combines theory with practice, and should be potentially publishable either as a book or as a series of peer-reviewed journal articles. 

Can I study literature in this degree? 

You will be able to take several literature classes as electives. However, the PhD is in rhetoric and composition, so the coursework, portfolio, and dissertation are necessarily situated in rhetoric and composition. 

Financial Support & Assistantship 

What kind of assistantship program do you offer?  Is there a separate application for this process? 

Most full-time students admitted to the program receive funding in the form of Assistant Instructor appointments. These assistantships are teaching positions competitive with other programs around the country (refer to questions below). These appointments are renewable for up to five years. Students are also offered up to five years of tuition remission. All AIs are charged in-state tuition rates regardless of national or residential status; they also receive health insurance. 

There is not a separate application for these positions, but there is a question in the general application about whether you will be seeking institutional funding. Applicants interested in this type of funding should respond affirmatively to this question.  

What are the teaching responsibilities of an AI?  What kind of classes do they have the opportunity to teach and how large are they? 

Assistant Instructors have a 2-1 or 1-2 load, which means they will teach a total of 3 courses a year. Classes are capped at 25 students.  

Most AIs teach RWS 1301 or 1302, or the upper-level writing courses RWS 3355: Workplace Writing or RWS 3359: Technical Writing.  Some of these courses are taught online. 

During your first year, most AIs are not assigned classes to teach so that they have more time to acclimate to the program. Instead of teaching this first year, AIs tutor in our University Writing Center and participate in professional development activities such as course observations and workshops. 

Are AIs allowed to develop their own curriculum? 

FYW and the upper-level writing classes follow a standardized curriculum. However, AI’s have typically played an important role in curriculum design. They also have freedom to experiment with the ways they implement the standardized curriculum.   

Program Environment 

What is El Paso like? 

In brief, El Paso is a large, metropolitan Southwestern city unlike any other. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is positioned near downtown El Paso and the U.S.-Mexico border. The southern tip of the Franklin Mountains runs through the city, pointing towards the downtown area and our neighbors just beyond in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The weather is fair, fall through spring, with mild and sunny winters and hot (but not oppressive) summers. The climate is dry since we’re in a desert ecosystem. Many people participate year-round in outdoor activities such as hiking in the Franklin and Organ mountains, mountain biking, and running. There are also nearby national parks such as Hueco Tanks and White Sands. Skiing is possible two hours north of El Paso in Ruidoso, New Mexico.  

The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ campus community is vibrant, diverse, and mostly multilingual, with Rhetoric and Writing Studies faculty and students dynamically involved in both the university and Juarez-El Paso-Las Cruces community. 

Do the PhD students get along—is it a friendly atmosphere? 

Unequivocally yes. We have a tremendous group of current students—in reality, they are developing professionals who take their work seriously, but also, overwhelmingly, support each other. Part of the reason for this dynamic is the truly broad and interesting mix of students in our program, and perhaps an even larger component is the caring and compassionate faculty who lead our courses. As new students are enrolled in the program, we expect this dynamic to continue and to be further enhanced. We sometimes have heated debates in and out of class, but it’s always in the spirit of learning and respect for one another. Most students will leave Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ learning as much from each other as they do from the faculty and readings. Our students have formed tight networks within and across cohorts over the years and look forward to meeting up at conferences or call upon each other as guest speakers and collaborators.  
 
Frontera Retórica , our student chapter of , hosts professional development and social events to keep students at all levels of the program in contact with one another. Frontera Retórica meetings offer students a venue to explore and complicate current projects as well as present congenial environment of support and camaraderie. 

Does the university provide on-campus accommodations for graduate students? 

Yes. You can learn about on-campus housing options here. Off campus housing options are also available but require doing some research about the city and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ area. Often the best recommendations for housing can come from previous students. Our Assistant Directors can help you with specific housing questions.