Rhetoric and Composition, MA

Adam Ellwanger, PhD, Graduate Director
S1050, 713-226-5577, ellwangera@uhd.edu

The Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Composition (MARC) program trains future teachers of college-level writing and English Studies courses. The curriculum places a special emphasis on preparing teachers for the multicultural character of the 21st century college classroom. Students receive advanced training in rhetorical theory, composition pedagogy, rhetorical history, composition theory, argumentative strategy, and textual analysis. In addition, students may elect to take graduate level courses in the study of literature. After completing 18 hours, students in good standing can compete for paid teaching assistantships in the English department at UHD.

The program is valuable for a range of candidates:

Future teachers of college English courses at community colleges or four-year universities nationwide
Local teachers seeking credentials to teach dual-credit English courses in Houston-area high schools
Students pursuing an academic career by seeking a foundation for a doctorate in rhetoric, composition, or English studies

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates who earn a MA in Rhetoric and Composition will be able to:

Use rhetorical theory in the analysis and production of written communication.
Identify and prepare strategies for teaching writing in a variety of environments: for example, online classes, large groups, and tutoring sessions.
Identify and prepare strategies that are essential for teaching writing to today’s students: people with different cultural orientations, varying degrees of English language competence, and different levels of preparedness.
Analyze discrete elements of written communication.
Design and execute their own research projects in the fields of rhetoric and/or composition.

Admission

Admission is competitive and selective. Applicants must demonstrate that they possess the abilities, interests, and qualities necessary to successfully complete the program and the potential to contribute to the fields of rhetoric and composition pedagogy.

Applicants seeking admission will provide the following application materials for review by the Graduate Curriculum Committee:

Completed application at www.applytexas.org.
Official transcript(s) that document a bachelor-degree conferral and the final 60 semester credit hours (or more) of undergraduate coursework. Applicants who have completed graduate-level courses must also provide graduate transcript(s) in addition to the abovementioned undergraduate documentation. (Note that admission to the degree program is competitive, so candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will be preferred).
Personal application statement (see guidelines on degree page at www.applytexas.org).
A 10 to 15 page sample of the author’s academic writing (no co-authored pieces will be accepted).
Two letters of recommendation and recommendation forms from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s work and academic potential (Visit www.uhd.edu/marc for recommendation forms).
Test of English as a Foreign Language scores if applicant graduated from a university at which English is not the native language (minimum score of 550 with section scores of 50 or higher).

The Graduate Curriculum Committee will not review a candidate’s application until the file contains all of the items listed above.

Admission Process

The Graduate Curriculum Committee will evaluate applications using a matrix based on GPA, relevant course work or experience, recommendations, and other written materials in the applicant’s file. The Graduate Curriculum Committee will use the results of this evaluation to determine if an applicant is admitted. The Graduate Director will notify students, in writing, of the committee’s decision.

Transfer

Students may transfer no more than six semester hours of graduate work and must have the approval of the Graduate Director to do so; transferred coursework must be at B level or above.

Teaching Assistant Requirements

In order to serve as a Teaching Assistant in UHD’s English department, the student must be in good academic standing with at least 18 hours completed in the program. Eligible students must also pass English 5327 (MARC Practicum) with a grade of B or higher prior to service as a Teaching Assistant.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Composition requires a minimum of thirty-three hours.

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Grades of C or lower do not count toward graduation, and two course grades of C or lower are cause for dismissal from the program. A maximum of six (6) undergraduate hours may be accepted as degree electives, at the discretion and prior approval of the Graduate Director.

Required Courses

Electives

Complete 18 semester credit hours in this area based on the following distribution:

At Least 9 Hours in MARC:

Complete at least 9 semester credit hours from the following:

Up to 9 Hours in MSTC:

Complete no more than 9 semester credit hours from the following:

Up to 6 Hours in Literature:

Complete no more than 6 semester credit hours from the following:

Final Experience (complete one of the following options):

6 Hours Seminar Paper Track:

After receiving prior approval from a graduate advisor, complete six semester credit hours of additional electives from the list of courses enumerated under the Electives area, above. Students must enroll in ENG 6097 , a zero-credit corequisite, during each semester they are taking a course that will serve as a replacement for the thesis.