Technically Online

Exploring Online PhDs in Technical Communication

Abstract

Despite its existence in the digital age for decades now, an online PhD program in Technical & Professional Communication (TPC) has not been fully embraced as viable by many in academic circles. But data suggests that attitudes in Academia are changing. This reticence is juxtaposed by more universities developing and offering their own online PhD programs in Tech Comm.  Two universities, Old Dominion University and Texas Tech University, offer such programs in TPC. These programs both feature online and onsite components via a short-but-mandatory residency, which has evolved considerably since the pandemic. The author of this paper, a graduate himself in an online PhD program in TPC, interviewed 15 faculty members, administration, and graduate students who have either actively participated in or attended an online PhD program in TPC. These interviews were qualitatively coded in order to identify important and recurring themes that will help guide the future of online PhD programs in TPC, showing how these early adopters of online delivery exhibit best practices for the future.