The program requires 48 credits: 18 credits of core courses, 12 credits in an Area of Specialization, 3 hours in exams, and 15 hours of dissertation.
A Structured Journey Through Interdisciplinary Innovation
The UCF Texts & Technology Ph.D. curriculum is thoughtfully designed as a 48-credit program that balances foundational knowledge with specialized expertise through 18 credits of core courses, 12 credits in an Area of Specialization, 3 hours in exams, and 15 hours of dissertation work.
The program’s core curriculum establishes a strong interdisciplinary foundation with courses in research methods, theories of texts and technology, texts and technology in history, procedural literacy, and dissertation design (See the Catalog for specific course descriptions, or check out our Syllabus Archive). This scaffolded approach ensures all students develop critical competencies in both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies before diving into their specialized focus areas.
The curriculum structure moves logically from foundational coursework and specialization training in the first two years, through candidacy exams and prospectus development, to focused dissertation research in the final years. This progression ensures students build expertise systematically while maintaining the program’s commitment to preparing graduates for diverse career paths in academia, industry, cultural institutions, and beyond. The program offers flexible pacing with full-time students completing the degree in four years and part-time students in five years.
Students choose from six distinctive Areas of Specialization: Digital Humanities, Digital Media, Editing, Publishing, and Interdisciplinary Curating (EPIC), Public History, Rhetoric and Composition, and Scientific and Technical Communication.
Always refer to the UCF Catalog for the latest degree requirements.
Areas of Specialization
Digital Humanities
The Digital Humanities Area of Specialization prepares students for careers in research, teaching, government, and industry and combines the study and application of digital technologies with the study of human society and culture. Students develop an understanding of social and cultural shifts in relation to information technologies and invent new practices for conducting research, teaching, and writing (broadly defined) in digital media.
Digital Media
The Digital Media Area of Specialization emphasizes the conceptual, theoretical, design, and technical skills needed to engage the changing platforms on which we work, teach, and live. This specialization prepares students for careers in user experience design, digital storytelling, and interactive communication. Students develop an understanding of critical making, code and software studies and development, user-centered design, and the critique and design of games and interactive media.
Editing, Publishing, and Interdisciplinary Curating (EPIC)
The Editing, Publishing, and Interdisciplinary Curation Area of Specialization prepares students for careers in editing, publishing, and curating, including consideration of current and developing technologies of print and online publication; digital archiving and collections; digital world-building and publication; curation of film, visual art, gaming, and other media; scholarly projects and publications; and the impact of technologies on the way we read, interact with media, and think.
Public History
The Public History Area of Specialization engages students in collaborations with various communities in the gathering of historic materials, preservation, archiving, curating, oral history, and related fields while preparing students for careers in academia, museums, governments, and non-profit agencies. It pays special attention to digital platforms and tools and their uses for involving public audiences in historical analysis and interpretation.
Rhetoric and Composition
The Rhetoric and Composition Area of Specialization trains students to communicate effectively, persuasively, and ethically across a range of civic, professional, and educational contexts and pays special attention to digital platforms and tools and their uses for involving public audiences.
Scientific and Technical Communication
The Scientific and Technical Communication Area of Specialization provides a foundation in rhetorical theory, communication theory, design theory, and other theories informing the discipline. Students develop practical projects in a variety of professional contexts such as scientific and medical communication and communicating for international audiences.
Course of Study
Full-time students can complete the degree in four years, and part-time students can complete it in five years.
Full Time
Year One
Intro to T&T
Research Methods in T&T
Theories of T&T
T&T in History
Procedural Literacy
Specialization Course
Year Two
Dissertation Design in T&T
3 Specialization Courses
Candidacy Exams
Year Three
Prospectus
Dissertation
Year Four
Dissertation
Part Time
Year One
Intro to T&T
Research Methods in T&T
Theories of T&T
T&T in History
Year Two
Procedural Literacy course
3 Specialization Courses
Year Three
Dissertation Design in T&T
Specialization Course
Candidacy Exams
Year Four
Prospectus
Dissertation
Year Five
Dissertation