Master of Arts in English (Rhetoric and Composition)

Peter Goggin, director

Admission

Course Requirements

Language Requirement

Thesis

NonThesis Option

FAQ

Admission

Applicants for admission to the Master of Arts (M.A.) in English with a rhetoric and composition concentration must apply online and submit the following:

1. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with their work.
2. GRE general test scores.
3. One to two page, single spaced statement of purpose.
4. Resume or vita.
5. Graduate College application.
6. Academic writing sample.
7. Official transcripts.

International students must have an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS score report sent to the Graduate College. Please refer to this webpage for English Proficiency Score requirements: http://english.clas.asu.edu/gradstudies-international

Deadline:  January 15th.

See the Department of English Application Process for more information.

Specific Course Requirements

To earn the M.A. in English with a concentration in rhetoric and composition, a candidate must complete at least 30 hours of graduate courses. Included in that number must be the following courses:

1. ENG 500 Research Methods
2. One course in rhetoric theory:
   • ENG 551 Rhetorical Traditions
   • ENG 554 Rhetorics of Race, Class, and Gender
   • ENG 556 Theories of Literacy
3. One course in composition theory:
   • ENG 552 Composition Studies
   • ENG 553 Technologies of Writing
4. Electives: at least two of the following rhetoric/composition courses at the 600 level:
   • ENG 651 Advanced Studies in the History and Theories of Rhetoric
   • ENG 652 Advanced Composition Studies
   • ENG 654 Advanced Studies in Rhetoric, Writing, Technology, and Culture
   • ENG 655 Disciplinary Discourses
   • ENG 656 Studies in Cross-Cultural Discourse
5. Thesis (6 credits) or Applied Project (3 credits) for non thesis option.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate evidence of a competent knowledge of a natural language other than modern English, to be selected by the student, subject to the approval of the chair of the thesis committee. This may be fulfilled in any of the following ways:

• Earning a “B” (3.00) or higher in a 400- or 500-level course in an appropriate (approved) language.
• Demonstrating comparable proficiency by taking a language examination, administered by the School of International Letters and Cultures, in a language approved by the student’s supervisory committee.
• Demonstrating native-speaker proficiency, as determined by the School of International Letters and Cultures, in a language approved by the student’s supervisory committee.
• Earning a “B” (3.00) or higher in both ENG 530 Old English and ENG 531 Old English Literature or their equivalent.
• Holding a bachelor’s degree in an approved foreign language.
• For languages which the School of International Letters and Cultures does not offer or does not offer above the 200 level, two years (4 semesters) of successfully completed college level coursework at least at the 100 and 200 level with a C or better would fulfill the requirement. The coursework must have been successfully completed no more than six years prior to admission to the degree program.

For more information see Foreign Language Examination.

Thesis:  (ENG 599 6 hours) The thesis is a research project leading to the production of a scholarly paper appropriate for the degree. The thesis project begins with a prospectus colloquium and culminates in an oral examination.

Non-thesis Option: 27 coursework and 3 hours of Applied Project (ENG 593). Student works with an Applied Project director and has the option of two additional committee members. There will be an oral presentation of the project.

For more information or to receive a packet in the mail contact: enggrad@asu.edu or 480-965-3194 or write to

Graduate Coordinator
ASU Department of English
P.O. Box 870302
Tempe, AZ 85287-0302