This document summarizes the highest ranked criteria for admittance to graduate programs in rhetoric and technical communication at several universities. Across most programs, the top criteria included writing samples, perceived fit of the applicant with program goals, goals/statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Teaching experience and graduate GPA were also commonly highly ranked. The document provides a brief overview of factors to consider for graduate study in professional and technical communication.

1. Graduate Study in PC:
Skills and Competencies
A Brief Overview I Jack Hennes

2. Purdue University
PhD in Rhetoric
& Composition
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Letters of
1 Writing sample 3 Recommendation 5 Perceived fit of
applicant with
program goals
Goals/Statement Type of MA 6 Teaching
2 4 experience
of Purpose degree

3. Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute
PhD in Communication
& Rhetoric
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Perceived fit of Personal knowledge
1 applicant with 3 GRE scores 5 of applicant
program goals
Goals/statement 6 Letters of
2 of purpose
4 Graduate GPA
recommendation

4. Texas Tech
University
PhD in Technical
Communication & Rhetoric
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Goals/statement Perceived fir of
1 3 5 Graduate GPA
of purpose applicant with
program goals
2 Letters of 4 Writing sample 6 Teaching experience
recommendation

5. Michigan Tech
University
PhD in Rhetoric & Technical
Communication
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Letters of
1 Writing sample 3 Recommendation 5 Perceived fit of
applicant with
program goals
Goals/Statement Type of MA 6 Teaching
2 4 experience
of Purpose degree

6. Michigan State
University
PhD in Rhetoric & Writing
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Goals/statement Perceived fit of Letters of
1 3 applicant with 5
of purpose recommendation
program goals
2 Writing sample 4 Teaching experience

7. Clemson University
PhD in
Rhetorics, Communication,
& Information Design
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Perceived fit of
1 Writing sample 3 applicant with 5 GRE scores
program goals
Letters of Goals/statement 6 Teaching experience
2 4 of purpose
recommendation

8. Virginia Tech
PhD in Rhetoric & Writing
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Perceived fit of
1 applicant with
3 Writing sample 5 Type of MA degree
program goals
Goals/Statement Letters of 6 Teaching experience
2 4
of Purpose recommendation

9. Iowa State
University
PhD in Rhetoric
& Professional Communication
Highest-ranked criteria for admittance
Perceived fit of Letters of
1 applicant with
3 5 Work experience
Recommendation
program goals
2 Writing sample 4 Graduate GPA 6 Source of MA degree

10. How do I get involved?
1. Establish strong relationships with
your professors and advisors
2. Write every essay as if it were a
potential writing sample
3. Maintain a strong GPA
4. Get involved and present at local
and regional conferences
5. Get published (book reviews,
graduate student journals, etc.)

11. # Criteria for Admittance
Statement
of Purpose