English (MA) - Rhetoric and Composition

Program Overview

The Master's in English with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition provides a strong foundation in professional writing, emphasizing ethical and rhetorical approaches. Students develop expertise in research, multimodal text analysis, and pedagogical practices, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, and non-profit organizations as writing specialists, communication professionals, and educators. The program offers both online and in-person options and supports student research through thesis and non-thesis project paths.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts in English with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition is a program designed to provide students with a strong theoretical and practical foundation in professional writing. It aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to apply ethical and rhetorical approaches to research, compose and analyze multimodal texts, and explore pedagogical praxis in learning environments. The program explores how writing functions in various environments (digital, social, historical, etc.) to create meaning and effect change. The program is offered both fully online and in-person, catering to a diverse range of student needs and goals. Upon completion, students receive a Master of Arts in English degree with a specialization in Rhetoric and Composition reflected on their transcript.

Outline:

The program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, broken down as follows:

• Required Courses (15 credit hours):
• ENC 5920 - Colloquium in Rhetoric and Composition (3 credits)
• ENC 6720 - Research Methods in Rhetoric and Composition (3 credits)
• One course from the following:
• ENC 6335 - Rhetorical Traditions (3 credits)
• ENC 6712 - Studies in Literacy and Writing (3 credits)
• ENC 5703 - Composition Histories and Theories (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (21 credit hours):
• Restricted Electives (15 hours):
• At least 5 courses from a list of 18 options, including courses in writing for business, tutoring, rhetorical theory, teaching college composition, digital rhetorics, digital literacies, teaching professional writing, proposal writing, persuasive writing, gendered rhetoric, contemporary rhetoric and composition theory, rhetorics of public debate, rhetorical movements, professional writing studies, topics in rhetoric and composition, community literacy practicum, linguistics, English grammar and usage, rhetoric of science, composition histories and theories, rhetorical traditions, and studies in literacy and writing.
• Unrestricted Electives (6 hours):
• Students choose two additional graduate-level Writing and Rhetoric courses or approved courses from other departments (e.g., English, Texts & Technology, History, etc.).
• Thesis/Non-Thesis Option (3 credit hours):
• Thesis:
• ENC 6971 - Thesis (3 credits)
• Students complete a formal thesis on a topic chosen in consultation with an advisory committee, meeting departmental and university requirements.
• Non-Thesis:
• ENC 6918 - Directed Research (1-99 credits)

Careers:

The program prepares students for a variety of career paths, including:

• College Writing Instructor: Teaching composition and rhetoric courses at the college level.
• Communication Specialist in Business or Nonprofit Sectors: Working in communication roles within organizations, developing and implementing communication strategies.
• Digital Content Creator and Curator: Creating and managing digital content for various platforms.
• Grant Writer: Writing grant proposals to secure funding for organizations.
It aims to prepare students to work as writing specialists in various settings, including industry, non-profit organizations, and academia. The program also highlights the opportunity for students to engage in research and contribute to the field of rhetoric, writing, and literacy studies through their thesis or non-thesis projects.