The Master of Arts in English with emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition is a program that offers theory and fundamental knowledge in professional writing with an application in various work and research settings. The program provides students with a foundation in Rhetoric and Writing Studies so that students can apply ethical and rhetorical approaches to research, compose and analyze multimodal texts, and explore pedagogical praxis in learning environments. Students in our program examine how writing functions (in digital, social, historical, and other environments) in the world to make meaning and implement change. Our program is offered fully online and in-person to prepare students to work as writing specialists within industry and/or nonprofit, teach in college environments, enter a Ph.D. Program, or meet other unique professional goals.
Upon completion of this program, students receive a Master of Arts in English. Their transcript will show both Master of Arts in English and Rhetoric and Composition track.
Each student must complete at least 33 credit hours, including 15 credit hours of required courses, 15 credit hours of elective courses, and 3 hours of thesis or non-thesis hours. The program requires students complete a thesis or non-thesis project approved by the graduate faculty that contributes to some aspect of rhetorical, writing, and/or literacy studies.
Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Program Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree in English, Rhetoric, and Composition, Writing Studies, Communication Studies, or related discipline. Or a completed bachelor's degree with substantial coursework in one of the aforementioned areas.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
9 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- ENC5920 - Colloquium in Rhetoric and Composition (3)
- ENC6720 - Research Methods in Rhetoric and Composition (3)
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- ENC5703 - Composition Histories and Theories (3)
- ENC6335 - Rhetorical Traditions (3)
- ENC6712 - Studies in Literacy and Writing (3)
Elective Courses
18 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Restricted - 12 hours- Complete all of the following
- Complete at least 4 of the following:
- ENC5237 - Writing for the Business Professional (3)
- ENC5276 - Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing (3)
- ENC5337 - Rhetorical Theory (3)
- ENC5703 - Composition Histories and Theories (3)
- ENC5705 - Approaches to Teaching College Composition (3)
- ENC5930 - Current Topics in Professional Writing (3)
- ENC6216 - Editing Professional Writing (3)
- ENC6245 - Teaching Professional Writing (3)
- ENC6247 - Proposal Writing (3)
- ENC6306 - Persuasive Writing (3)
- ENC6332 - Gendered Rhetoric (3)
- ENC6333 - Contemporary Rhetoric and Composition Theory (3)
- ENC6335 - Rhetorical Traditions (3)
- ENC6338 - The Rhetorics of Public Debate (3)
- ENC6339 - Rhetorical Movements (3)
- ENC6428 - Digital Literacies (3)
- ENC6701 - Professional Writing Studies (3)
- ENC6712 - Studies in Literacy and Writing (3)
- ENC6740 - Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (3)
- ENC6945 - Community Literacy Practicum (3)
- ENC6952 - Rhetoric and Composition Capstone (3)
- LIN5137 - Linguistics (3)
- LIN5675 - English Grammar and Usage (3)
- LIT6435 - Rhetoric of Science (3)
- Note: ENC 5705 Approaches to Teaching College Composition- Graduate Teaching Associates are required to enroll in this course before they become instructors of record.
- Note: ENC 6740 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition- This course may be used in the degree program a maximum of two times when course content is different.
Unrestricted - 6 Hours- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Students will work with an advisor to choose two other graduate-level Writing and Rhetoric courses or approved courses outside the department (e.g., English, Texts & Technology, History, etc.).
Thesis/Non-Thesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: ENC 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours Students complete a formal thesis on a topic selected in consultation with an advisory committee and will meet both departmental and university requirements for the thesis. All thesis projects should demonstrate that students can conduct sustained independent research. A traditional thesis is typically a formal academic document of 60-100 pages. Non-traditional projects might include multimodal/interactive or curriculum projects or academic articles suitable for publication.
Non-thesis- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- ENC6952 - Rhetoric and Composition Capstone (3)
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: 6000-level courses from the Restricted Electives list above
Grand Total Credits: 33
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
