Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Our Ph.D. program in Rhetoric and Writing Studies emphasizes public and institutional engagement.

Our program was founded in the 1980s by noted composition scholars Steven and Susan Tchudi and Mark Waldo. Over the last decade, the program has intentionally developed its faculty around an emphasis in public and institutional engagement because we believe that rhetoric and writing studies are essentially arts of engagement. Our faculty and students are engaged inside and outside the academy in projects ranging from writing-across-the-curriculum fellowships, to K-16 partnerships, to prison literacy initiatives.

Students in the program participate in professional activities of various kinds, including publishing, academic conferences and internships in community agencies, educational institutions or businesses. The program also hosts a robust student chapter of the Rhetoric Society of America, Rhetoric @ Reno.

Our faculty collect their expertise — which ranges from writing program administration, to disability studies, to the rhetoric of political economy — around three key nodes; select a tab below to learn more about each node.

The Ph.D. emphasis in rhetoric and writing studies will help students pursue careers in scholarship, teaching and program administration at the college or university level. The emphasis offers a core of work in rhetoric and writing theory coupled with focused study in other fields of English language and literature, with possibilities for interdisciplinary study as well. Select tabs below to view more information on program requirements.

Composition Theory, Pedagogy and Programs Rhetoric and Critical Theory
Chris S. Earle
Chris S. Earle, Ph.D.
Associate Department Chair; Associate Professor
(775) 682-6368
FH
4261 4260
Composition Theory, Pedagogy and Programs Writing in the Disciplines and Professions Rhetoric and Critical Theory
Chris Mays
Chris Mays, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, 2024-2026 Joe Crowley Distinguished Professor of the Humanities
(775) 682-6376
FH
4261 4259 4260
Composition Theory, Pedagogy and Programs Writing in the Disciplines and Professions
Elisabeth Miller
Elisabeth Miller, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, English; Director of Writing and Speaking in the Disciplines
(775) 784-7548
4261 4259
Writing in the Disciplines and Professions Rhetoric and Critical Theory
Lynda C. Olman
Lynda C. Olman, Ph.D.
Professor; Chair of English
(775) 682-6364
FH 217
4259 4260
Rhetoric and Critical Theory
Cassandra Stephens-Johnson
Cassandra Stephens-Johnson
Term Lecturer
4260
Composition Theory, Pedagogy and Programs Writing in the Disciplines and Professions Rhetoric and Critical Theory
Jim Webber
Jim Webber, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
(775) 784-6607
FH 225
4261 4259 4260