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.
One Interdisciplinary Core, Six Specializations
The UCF Texts and Technology Ph.D. curriculum balances foundational knowledge with specialized expertise by combining shared core courses with wide choice of electives within the Area of Specialization.
The program’s core curriculum establishes a strong interdisciplinary foundation with courses in research methods, theory, history, procedural literacy, and dissertation design (See the Catalog for specific course descriptions). This scaffolded approach ensures all students develop critical competencies in both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies. Students then take four courses in their area of specialization before candidacy exams.
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 Curating 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 prepares students for careers like researching and teaching writing and directing writing programs and centers. Students study how writing and persuasion work across civic, professional, and educational contexts, with research ranging from classical and digital rhetoric to writing pedagogy, writing center studies, and the rhetoric of health and medicine.
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
T&T provided me with the tools I needed to grow my career in academia to the next level. It introduced me to new fields, new ideas, and new ways to engage with digital humanities. It also introduced me to amazing faculty, provided engaging professional development opportunities, and supported me as a part-time student. I would recommend the program to anyone passionate about learning more about the ways we engage with information.”