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Arizona State University
Department of English
Box 870302
Tempe, AZ 85287-0302
480.965.3168

Main Office Location:
G. Homer Durham Language and Literature Building - LL 542

ASU English Home > Rhetoric and Composition > MA Program

Peter Goggin, Director

Patricia Webb , Interim Director Spring 2005

ADMISSION: Applicants for admission to the M.A. with a rhetoric and composition concentration must submit three letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with their work (available on-line in word or pdf format ), GRE General Test scores , a statement of purpose, a Department of English application (available on-line in word or pdf format), a Graduate College Admissions Application , and an academic writing sample. All supporting materials must be received in the English Department by February 1st. See Department of English Application Process for more information .

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: To earn the Master of Arts degree 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

5) Thesis (6 credit hours)

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: A reading knowledge of a suitable natural language is required and must be approved by the student's advisor. Normally, this requirement can be fulfilled by: (a) taking the traditional exam; or (b) taking a language course at the 400/500 level. Those wishing to satisfy this requirement with Old English must complete the two-course sequence (ENG530/531).

THESIS : 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.

Click here to view the MA Requirements Checklist in .rtf format