Students in the Master of Arts in English, Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change Specialization join a vibrant community of scholars who research the transformative potential of writing and rhetoric, analyzing the social, cultural, economic and historical forces shaping writing and rhetoric in theory and practice. Through analysis of and engagement with diverse contexts for writing, students create and apply methods for addressing shared social problems in classrooms and communities. Our graduates study in top tier rhetoric and composition Ph.D. programs, teach composition and rhetoric at secondary and post-secondary levels, and work for social change through careers in government, publishing, industry, and non-profit organizations.

Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate discipline specific knowledge and competencies in approaches to writing pedagogy and practice including the composing processes used by writers in varying contexts and for particular purposes.
  2. Analyze the social, cultural, economic and historical forces shaping writing and rhetoric in theory and practice including the ways that writing and rhetoric can constitute communities around shared social problems.
  3. Demonstrate fluency in the varied theories and methods of conducting research on writing and rhetoric in the public sphere.
  4. Engage historical, contemporary, and emerging technologies as they shape and are shaped by practices of writing and rhetorical engagement, from pencil to pixel.

Effective Fall 2018

Required Courses
E 501Theories of Composition3
E 600BResearch Methods/Theory: Writing Studies3
E 603Critical Digital Rhetoric3
E 633Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric3
E 637Histories of Writing and Rhetoric3
E 692Seminar in Writing, Rhetoric, & Social Change 12
E 699Thesis6
Elective Courses 29
Select at least nine credits in Rhetoric/Composition/English or closely related fields developed in consultation with your advisor.
Program Total Credits:32

 A minimum of 32 credits are required to complete this program.

1

E 692 must be taken twice, for a total of 2 credits.

2

Courses may not include those used to satisfy other requirements for this program. Up to 9 credits may be taken in outside departments in consultation with your advisor. Courses outside the department must be taken at the 300, 400, 500, or 600 level. A maximum of 2 credits of E 695 (Independent Study) may count toward graduation. Graduate students may register for any number of internship credits, but a total of only six credits of E 684A-E 684E and E 687A-E 687M (combined) will count toward graduation requirements.

Effective Fall 2018

Required Courses
E 501Theories of Composition3
E 600BResearch Methods/Theory: Writing Studies3
E 603Critical Digital Rhetoric3
E 633Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric3
E 637Histories of Writing and Rhetoric3
E 692Seminar in Writing, Rhetoric, & Social Change 12
E 698Research Project2
Elective Courses 215
Select at least fifteen credits in Rhetoric/Composition/English or closely related fields developed in consultation with your advisor.
Program Total Credits:34

 A minimum of 34 credits are required to complete this program.

1

E 692 must be taken twice, for a total of 2 credits.

2

Courses may not include those used to satisfy other requirements for this program. Up to 9 credits may be taken in outside departments in consultation with your advisor. Courses outside the department must be taken at the 300, 400, 500, or 600 level. A maximum of 2 credits of E 695 (Independent Study) may count toward graduation. Graduate students may register for any number of internship credits, but a total of only six credits of E 684A-E 684E and E 687A-E 687M (combined) will count toward graduation requirements.

For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

NOTE:  Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.

Forms are available online.

Step Due Date
1. Application for admission (online) Six months before first registration
2. Diagnostic examination when required Before first registration
3. Appointment of advisor Before first registration
4. Selection of graduate committee Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) Two terms prior to final examination
7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) Within two working days after results are known
8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) When change is made
9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee
11. Final examination Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website.
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
15. Graduation Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website