Graduate Student Manual (Handbook), Department of English (2025-2026)
12 – Checklists for Advising
These checklists do not substitute for a conversation and guidance from the director of graduate studies.
Checklist Links
- MA Literature Thesis
- MA Literature Portfolio
- MA Rhetoric and Composition Thesis
- MA Rhetoric and Composition Portfolio
- PhD Literature
- PhD Rhetoric and Composition
MA Thesis – Emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition
(35-38 credit hours)
Graded Courses (24 credits)
Foundations
Complete all of the following:
- English 501: Seminar in the Methodology of Composition (3 credits)
- English 502: Contemporary Theories of Composition (3 credits)
Rhetoric and Composition
Complete 9 semester credits from the following:
- English 508: Seminar in Assessment of Writing
- English 509: Seminar in Classical Rhetoric and its Influences
- English 515: Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric
- English 531: Administering a Writing Program
- English 532: Teaching Writing to Nontraditional Students
- English 534: Theories and Methods of the Teaching of Technical and Professional Writing
- English 597: Topics in Composition and Rhetoric
Linguistics
Complete minimum of 3 semester hours from the following courses:
- English 543: Phonology
- English 544: Syntax
- English 546: Topics in Teaching English as a Second Language
- English 554: History of the English Language
Other Required Courses
Electives (2 courses from any English 500-level offering and no more than 1 course of non-graduate coursework from 300- and 400-level courses)
Non-Graded Courses (11 credits minimum)
Required for Students with Teaching Assistantships
English 598: Teaching Apprenticeship (3 credits)
- (1st Semester) English 101 Preparation (1 credit)
- (2nd Semester) Weekly Colloquium on Freshman Composition (1 credit)
- (3rd or 4th Semester) Mentored Teaching or Pedagogy Course (1 credit)
English 600 Special Projects or Individual Study
Complete 4 credits total, 1 credit per semester.
English 700: Masters Research, Thesis, and/or Examination
Complete 4 credits total, 1 credit per semester.
Additional Requirements
- Foreign Language Requirement:
- Satisfy Foreign Language requirement, or
- Complete six hours of graduate-level study of modern linguistics of TESOL (This option is only available to MA students in Rhetoric and Composition)
- MA Conference Presentation (in house)
- Portfolio
- Oral Examination
MA Portfolio – Emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition
(38 credit hours)
Graded Courses (27 credits)
Foundations
Complete all of the following:
- English 501: Seminar in the Methodology of Composition (3 credits)
- English 502: Contemporary Theories of Composition (3 credits)
Rhetoric and Composition
Complete 9 semester credits from the following:
- English 508: Seminar in Assessment of Writing
- English 509: Seminar in Classical Rhetoric and its Influences
- English 515: Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric
- English 531: Administering a Writing Program
- English 532: Teaching Writing to Nontraditional Students
- English 534: Theories and Methods of the Teaching of Technical and Professional Writing
- English 597: Topics in Composition and Rhetoric
Linguistics
Complete minimum of 3 semester hours from the following courses:
- English 543: Phonology
- English 544: Syntax
- English 546: Topics in Teaching English as a Second Language
- English 554: History of the English Language
Other Required Courses
Electives (3 courses from any English 500-level offering and no more than 1 course of non-graduate coursework from 300- and 400-level courses)
Non-Graded Courses (11 credits minimum)
Required for Students with Teaching Assistantships
English 598: Teaching Apprenticeship (3 credits)
- (1st Semester) English 101 Preparation (1 credit)
- (2nd Semester) Weekly Colloquium on Freshman Composition (1 credit)
- (3rd or 4th Semester) Mentored Teaching or Pedagogy Course (1 credit)
English 600 Special Projects or Individual Study
Complete 4 credits total, 1 credit per semester.
English 700: Masters Research, Thesis, and/or Examination
Complete 4 credits total, at least 1 credit per semester.
Additional Requirements
- Foreign Language Requirement:
- Satisfy Foreign Language requirement, or
- Complete six hours of graduate-level study of modern linguistics of TESOL (This option is only available to MA students in Rhetoric and Composition)
- MA Conference Presentation (in house)
- Portfolio
- Oral Examination