PhD Rhetoric at Carnegie Mellon University

The PhD in Rhetoric is one of the oldest Rhetoric doctoral programmes in the U.S., based in Carnegie Mellon's Department of English. It emphasizes rigorous method, including traditional-scholarly, empirical, discourse-based, classroom-based, legal and digital approaches. Core study covers rhetorical theory, history and pedagogy, plus qualitative and quantitative analytic methods.

Faculty: Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences  |  Department: Department of English  |  Duration: 72 hours (216 units) of coursework, plus exam, prospectus and dissertation  |  Intake: Fall 2027 (deadline January 6, 2027)  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Required courses are Theory and Design of Writing Instruction, Contemporary Rhetorical Theory, History of Rhetoric, Discourse Analysis, a Teaching Writing Practicum, Directed Research and Directed Reading, plus advisor-approved electives. Milestones are a research tool requirement, a public paper by the end of the second year of coursework, the PhD exam, a dissertation prospectus and a defended dissertation. Dissertation areas include civic, political and public engagement, corpus-based writing pedagogy across the disciplines, and digital tools and new media.

Career pathways

Graduates pursue academic careers in rhetoric and writing pedagogy, writing program administration, administrative roles in nonprofits, and qualitative or quantitative data analyst roles.

Official programme page