Thank you for your interest in the Ph.D. Program in Composition and Rhetoric at UW-Madison. We are a stand-alone doctoral program set inside a large, vibrant English Department in a world-class research university in a beautiful Midwestern city. We are a program known for our friendly and collaborative atmosphere, our attention to professional training beyond coursework, and for the success of our graduates.

How do I apply?

To get started with the application, go to the English department admissions page.
Most of your application can be completed on-line.

What kind of funding is available?

Everyone who is admitted to the program is offered a four-year teaching assistantship, with some opportunity for a fifth-year renewal. The TA-ship comes with a tuition waiver and health benefits (individual and family). Your beginning stipend will be approximately $10,700. By the second year most TAs are earning $16,000. By the time they reach the dissertation stage, TAs can earn approximately $18,500.

You also may be eligible to apply for University and Advanced Opportunity Program fellowships.

Do I need to take the GRE?

Yes, we require the GRE. If you are applying to the Ph.D. Program in Composition and Rhetoric, you do not need to take any Subject tests. However, if you are applying through the M.A. Bridge Programs in either Literary Studies or Afro-American Studies, you will need to follow their requirements.

How competitive is admission?

Currently we receive around 30 applications a year. We admit 7 students, with the aim of an entering class of 3 to 4 students. We also keep a waiting list.

What criteria are used for admission?

We weigh the personal statement heavily. We want to know about your goals and interests as a scholar and teacher and why you think you can do your best work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We also look for a well-rounded class, a group of incoming students who will complement each others’ strengths and interests. Diversity of all types is important to our program. We also weigh the letters of recommendation heavily. You should seek out recommenders who can comment specifically on your strengths and accomplishments and promise. We also look at your writing sample (for what it says about your abilities as a scholar and critical thinker as well as how lucidly you express your ideas). We also look at your graduate G.P.A., and take the undergraduate G.P.A. and the GRE scores (verbal and analytic) into consideration.

What is the deadline to apply?

If you are applying for a fellowship, the deadline is Dec. 15.
The deadline for admission only is Jan. 6.

Do I need an M.A.? Must it be in Composition and Rhetoric?

We are a doctoral program only. Students must complete an M.A. prior to the start of the program. If you are an applicant with an undergraduate degree only, please see options through the Bridge programs (description below). While many of our applicants have master’s degrees in composition and rhetoric, others have studied literature, creative writing, applied English linguistics, Afro-American studies, history, women’s studies, ethnic studies, among others. We are an interdisciplinary program and appreciate perspectives from many disciplines.

What should I know about the Bridge Programs?

The Bridge Programs in Literary Studies and Afro-American Studies are excellent avenues for undergraduates who still must earn a Master’s Degree. Through the Bridge Program, you are able to apply to an M.A. program and the Ph.D. program in Composition and Rhetoric simultaneously and are admitted to both, thus securing admission and funding in the Ph.D. program contingent upon completion of the master’s degree. You also may use electives in your M.A. program to take graduate courses in composition and rhetoric.

You can learn more about the Afro-American Studies Department Master’s Program or
the M.A. in Literary Studies.

What is the average length of time to completion of degree?

Students should be able to complete the Ph.D. program in 5 years, taking 3 years to complete course work and the preliminary examination and 2 years to write the dissertation.

How large is the program?

Usually we matriculate between 4 and 5 new students a year. In 2007-2008, a total of 28 graduate students were enrolled in the Ph.D. Program in Composition and Rhetoric.

Will I be able to take courses outside the area of composition and rhetoric?

Most definitely. We require a four-course minor, which may be taken in one department or across departments in what is called a distributed minor. Through the minor you are able to take advantage of the many other strong academic programs and departments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and to enrich your perspectives on the field of writing and rhetoric studies. We enjoy close relationships with Communication Arts, Education, Applied English Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Ethnic Studies and other programs. We often find students from these programs in our classes because they reciprocally minor in composition and rhetoric. Our students have also taken courses in law, anthropology, geography, technology studies, sociology, and other fields.

Do you require a foreign language?

We require competency in a foreign language. This may be proven through course work or by taking a language competency test.

Are there other requirements?

In addition to the foreign language, we ask for advanced competency in a research method. Usually, this requirement is fulfilled by taking two additional courses in research methods, either in our program or in another department.

What is the teaching load for teaching assistants?

The basic teaching load is one writing course per semester, with an enrollment of 19 students. This compares most favorably with other programs. Especially when you are comparing T.A. stipends, you should look at the teaching load. Our program provides especially excellent conditions for teaching, with small loads, small enrollments, and good professional and administrative support. After the first year, TA’s may increase their load by taking partial appointments in the Writing Center or other opportunities.

What are the strengths of your program?

We have a strong overall professional development program. Faculty members work closely with students in classes, as mentors, and sometimes in collaborative research. We have excellent professional development for teaching assistants in the writing programs and the writing center. In addition, graduate students may apply for a number of significant administrative and professional opportunities, including writing program administration, leadership in the Writing Center, community writing, writing across the curriculum, and other opportunities.

What is it like to live in Madison?

We suggest you watch the video “Life at UW” to get a sense of the community.

What if I have additional questions?

Please feel free to explore our entire website. Also visit the main English Department website. If you still have questions, feel free to contact the Composition and Rhetoric graduate program coordinator, Professor Deborah Brandt at dlbrandt [at] wisc [dot] edu.

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