The following are course requirements of doctoral candidates wishing to receive their degree in Rhetoric and Professional Communication (RPC):

• complete 72 credit hours of graduate coursework beyond the B.A. or B.S. These hours must include two 600-level RPC courses, not including 601 or 602; consult the section About the Doctoral Degrees for more information.



Areas of Coursework	Credits
Primary core (506, 507, 547, and 601)	12
Secondary core (one RPC course each in pedagogy, history, practice, and one course in research methods)	12
Linguistics	6
Electives in RPC	18
Concentration electives	12
Dissertation Research	12
Total	72



• pass both a portfolio assessment and (following the completion of course work) the preliminary examinations.
  
  Note: The prelims consist of a comprehensive examination and a specialized field examination.
• write and defend a dissertation that makes a contribution to the discipline.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for new students include:

• a Master's degree from an accredited institution