Rhetorical studies emphasize the critical, historical and theoretical study of public communication, including U.S. public address, rhetorical criticism, argumentation, rhetorical theory, cultural theory, feminist rhetoric and popular culture. The graduate program focuses on understanding how various public discourses shape culture and politics across many cultural communities.

The graduate program in rhetoric and public communication at ASU focuses on understanding issues at the social level, including popular culture, social movements, and political communication.

The faculty includes several scholars with national and international reputations in the field. Students will have ample opportunities to interact directly with faculty both in the classroom and as research assistants.

In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of the doctoral program encourages students to pursue coursework in English, political science, justice studies, women's studies, humanities, Asian Pacific American studies, religious studies, history, Chicano/a studies, African American studies and environmental studies.