University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Colorado Denver

M.A. Degree: Teaching of Writing Program

In this program, you'll study rhetorical and language traditions and apply that knowledge to the teaching of writing. Knowledge of multicultural dimensions of literacy will help you understand the rich cultural complexity of the modern classroom. This program also focuses on developing your own writing and editing skills to fulfill your professional role as a teacher-writer.

Course Requirements (30 Semester Hours Minimum)

All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted.

I. Required Core Courses (15 hours)

  • ENGL 5080 History of the English Language or
    ENGL 5171 Language Theory
  • ENGL 5093 Rhetoric and the Teaching of Writing
  • ENGL 6002 Rhetorical Theory: Teaching Writing
  • ENGL 6100 Special Topics: Rhetoric and Language
  • ENGL 6220 Teaching Second Language and Second Dialect Writers 

II. Area of Concentration (9 hours)

Chosen by the student and approved by the student's advisor, the area of concentration may be in virtually any field that complements the required core and that meets the student's goals in the program. Representative areas include but are not limited to Literature, Technical Communication, Reading, English as a Second Language, and Communication. ENGL 5913 (Practicum in Language and Rhetoric) may be included among these nine hours.

III. Thesis or Project

Thesis

  • ENGL 5840 Independent Study (3 hours)
  • ENGL 6950 (4-6 hours) Master's Thesis

For details about writing, submitting and defending a thesis, see "Thesis Guidelines" on the CLAS Graduate Student Advising web site.

Project

  • ENGL 5150 Critical Inquiry and Classroom Research
  • ENGL 6960 (3-6 hours) Master's Project

IV. Additional Information


Candidate for Degree: Graduate students must be registered for at least one credit hour during the semester that they graduate. Those who have completed all required courses and requirements may register for Candidate for Degree: CAND 5940 section 900.

Teaching Assistantships: Teaching of Writing students who receive a teaching assistantship must take ENGL 5913 (Practicum in Language and Rhetoric) in the fall during their first semester as a teaching assistant.

Dual Degrees: Students concurrently prusing an M.A. in Education can count up to six hours of education courses towards their M.A. in English with their English graduate advisor's permission.