Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing

The Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing is a program jointly housed in the Division of Teaching and Learning and the Department of English. This certificate prepares teachers at all levels (K-12, college, adult) to improve their students' performance in writing. The program emphasizes using writing as a means to promote learning in all content areas.

Program Overview

All courses provide opportunities for teachers to write, revise, share feedback, and reflect on their own writing development. Based on the National Writing Project's core belief that teachers of writing must themselves be writers, the Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing brings together sound pedagogy, composition theory, and writing practice. The Certificate is an 18-hour program through the Gateway Writing Project (GWP); it may also be coordinated with other graduate programs.

Certificate Requirements

• The Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing requires a 12 semester-hour core of courses developed by the Gateway Writing Project:
  • The GWP invitational institute (6 hrs)
  • A designated 'topics' course (3 hrs.)
  • An exit course (3 hrs.)
• The Certificate requires a minimum of 12 semester hours at the 5000 or 6000 level or above.
• Electives (6 hrs.) may be chosen from approved offerings in English or Education.

Required Core Courses

• ENGL 4850/TCH ED 5850, Topics in the Teaching of Writing (designated topics, 3 sem. hrs.)
• ENGL 6880/SEC ED 6880, Gateway Writing Project (6 sem. hrs.)
• TCH ED 6890, Seminar in Professional Writing for Teachers (exit course, 3 sem. hrs)

Electives

• Electives may be chosen from other Gateway Writing Project offerings or from courses offered by the appropriate academic department with advisor's approval.
• These electives must include at least one more level course.
• Suggested electives applicable to an MA in English with writing emphasis:
  • ENGL 5800, Modern Linguistics
  • ENGL 5840, Theories of Writing
  • ENGL 5860, Writing/Reading Theory
  • ENGL 5870, Composition Research
  • ENGL 5890, Teaching College Writing
• Suggested electives applicable to an M.Ed. in Elementary or Secondary Education:
  • ELE ED 6387, Literacy Acquisition and Learning for Urban Students
  • ELE ED 6482, Problems & Research in Elementary Reading
  • ED REM 6714, Action Research in Education
• Courses in adult and higher education may also be appropriate.

Admission Criteria

• Applicants must be admitted to Graduate School and be selected by the faculty admissions committee for the Gateway Writing Project's Certificate in the Teaching of Writing.
• The committee will review candidates on the basis of an interview, an application essay, and supporting documentation.
• Criteria include experience teaching writing at any level and academic record, especially in writing and the teaching of writing.

Prerequisites

• ENGL/SEC ED 4880, 'Writing for Teachers' or an equivalent course in teaching writing
• Coursework or competency in basic computer application.