Master of Arts (M.A.)
Online Master's Degree in Rhetoric & Composition
Next Start Date January 8
Est.Program Length 2 years
Course Length 7 & 14 weeks
Credit Hours 30
Cost Per Credit $465.56*
Transfer Credits Accepted 9
*Out-of-state students will be charged an additional $36.05 per credit.
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M.A. in Composition and Rhetoric Overview
Earn the credentials needed to advance in your teaching career or apply to doctoral programs.
Shawnee State University Online Campus’s fully online master’s degree in rhetoric and composition emphasizes writing studies and pedagogy so that you can teach college-level courses.
In the online master’s degree in composition and rhetoric, you’ll study:
- How to develop learning strategies for teaching first-year writing courses based on theory and empirical research in the discipline.
- Different theories and practical approaches to writing assessment and evaluation, including responding to student texts, developing assessment plans and grading policies, and using assessment data to propose curricular changes.
- The history of rhetoric with focus on key movements and theorists in the history of rhetoric, including classical, modern, and postmodern theories.
- Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods in English composition to prepare for the thesis project.
- Special topics in the field, such as feminist approaches to rhetoric, the rhetoric of science, rhetoric and cultural studies, or environmental rhetoric.
- Curriculum and instruction, with options to choose from topics such as cognitive and motivation theories in the classroom, technology integration for learning, educational data analysis, philosophy of education prof. ethics, and educational research.
Towards the end of your program, you will have the option to choose to complete your master’s degree in rhetoric and composition with a master’s thesis or master’s portfolio. The thesis is recommended for students who intend to continue to doctoral study and the portfolio is recommended for working teachers or those who intend to pursue employment after graduation.
Shawnee State University’s master’s degree in composition and rhetoric gives you the knowledge and skills you need to develop your pedagogy and deliver high-quality, college-level writing instruction. You can complete the program in less than two years, with the flexibility to take courses part-time or full-time as your schedule allows.
The online master’s degree in composition and rhetoric is ideal for:
- Secondary teachers in southern Ohio and the outlying region.
- Teachers who want to teach in Ohio’s College Credit Plus Program and similar dual-credit programs (please check your state’s requirements).
- Teachers who want to teach courses at universities and community colleges.
- Those intending to pursue a Ph.D. program in English composition, rhetoric, education, or a related field.
This program appealed to me as it would give me the necessary credentials to teach CCP classes, which was my main reason for seeking an additional degree, but I chose it after considering how I could apply what I learned in this program to all of my students, not just my CCP students. – Lynette Ehrmantraut, current online student
Develop Your Teaching Practices
Learn strategies based on theory and empirical research in the field.
Identify Your Unique Interests
Choose a capstone course and thesis topic relevant to your goals.
Become Qualified
Prepare to teach College Credit Plus and Dual Credit courses.
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Courses and Requirements
10 Total Courses In This Program
Our online master’s degree in rhetoric and composition includes six core courses that provide you with foundational knowledge in writing studies, the history of rhetoric, and writing assessment. Then, you can choose three Education courses to direct your master’s in English composition to your specific career goals. You can complete your degree by working individually with faculty members to develop either a master’s thesis or master’s portfolio. Click on the courses below to read the course descriptions.
Composition Pedagogy
Strategies for teaching first-year writing courses based on theory and empirical research in the discipline. Students will develop a syllabus, assignment sequence, and sample lesson plans for a first-semester writing course at the college level.
Writing Assessment Theory and Practice
Students in this class will learn about different theories and practical approaches to writing assessment and evaluation, including responding to student texts, developing assessment plans and grading policies, and using assessment data to make curricular changes.
History of Rhetoric
A graduate-level introduction to key movements and theorists in the history of rhetoric, from classical Greek and Roman rhetoric to modern and postmodern theories.
History and Theory of Composition
A graduate-level introduction to key movements and theories in the history of composition, from the “prototype” first-year writing course created at Harvard University in 1874 to today.
Research Methods in Composition and Rhetoric
The course surveys research methods used in composition and rhetoric (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods). The course culminates in students preparing a prospectus for their thesis project.
Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
Study of various topics in composition and rhetoric not otherwise available in the standard curriculum. (Examples: feminist approaches to rhetoric, the rhetoric of science, rhetoric and cultural studies, environmental rhetoric.)
Choose Three Courses
Cognitive and Motivational Theories in the Classroom
Provides an overview of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cognitive development and motivation theory in the context of current research. Prepares teachers to understand the relationship between human brain function and all aspects of human behavior and development and to create developmentally appropriate teaching practices that support the learning of each individual, typical and atypical.
Technology Integration for Learning
This course examines antecedents, foundations, issues, trends, and practices associated with the theory and practice of computer-based instructional technologies; project-based approach.
Philosophy of Education Prof. Ethics
This course examines classic ethical approaches to problem-solving in conjunction with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to make professional decisions in the modern educational environment. Includes analysis and discussion of ethical case studies related to education.
Educational Data Analysis
Examines measurement techniques, quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, and statistical and qualitative data analysis techniques. Emphasis is on the understanding and application of descriptive and inferential statistics in educational research and K-12 classrooms.
Educational Research
Introduces research terminology, methods, purposes, and procedures, along with critical evaluation of research. Formal methods for writing research reports in APA style are introduced. Development of a proposal for the capstone course begins in this class.
Choose One
Master's Thesis
Supervised research on student’s masters thesis or capstone project. The thesis is recommended for students who intend to continue to doctoral study. Should you indicate intent to complete a thesis as your capstone project, the program faculty will review and evaluate the proposal you submitted in RHET 6800. Successful proposals will demonstrate a clear relationship to existing research in composition and rhetoric; show potential to make a timely, relevant, and interesting contribution to existing research in the field; and be substantial enough to constitute a capstone project, but narrow enough in scope to complete in a reasonable timeline. If your proposal is approved, you will be assigned a faculty member who will supervise your project based on your preference along with faculty expertise and availability. The thesis should be 50-75 pages in length and follow manuscript formatting guidelines in MLA or APA documentation style.
Master's Portfolio
Students construct a portfolio of teaching materials and scholarly writing that reflects their disciplinary knowledge and ability to apply their learning. The portfolio is recommended for working teachers or those who intend to pursue employment after graduation. In the portfolio course, students submit drafts and workshop them with the instructor and classmates. The portfolio includes a table of contents; reflective introduction; Curriculum Vita; teaching philosophy; example of scholarly writing; and examples of teaching materials.
Admission Requirements
Before applying for this program, you must have:
- A personal statement explaining how this program fits into your professional and personal goals. In your statement, tell us about how you think you will benefit from this program, and tell us about the skills, knowledge, and experience you will bring to the program.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your skills, knowledge, professionalism, and/or relevant experiences.
- Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended.
- A completed online application.
How to Apply
In order to apply for admission into our online master’s degree in rhetoric and composition, please contact an enrollment counselor and submit the following:
- Completed application
- Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended
- Submit all required documents:
- Personal statement
- 2 Letters of recommendation
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Costs & Financial Aid
The online master’s degree in rhetoric and composition is offered at a tuition rate of $465.56 per credit hour for in-state students and $501.61 per credit hour for out-of-state students. This program can accept up to 9 transfer credit hours of comparable coursework. A limited number of half-tuition scholarships are available to apply to the 19 hours needed to earn certification to teach CCP for teachers in Scioto, Pike, Adams, Lawrence, Jackson & Ross Counties. Contact bmadden@shawnee.edu for more information!
Component Cost Total* Full Program Tuition $465.56 per credit hour $13,967 Total $13,967 Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 9) $465.56 per credit hour $9,777 Total with Transfer Credits $9,777 Component Cost Total* Full Program Tuition $501.61 per credit hour $15,048 Total $15,048 Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 9) $501.61 per credit hour $10,534 Total $10,534 Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes five semesters to complete, depending on transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 855-815-0323 or request more information.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Financial Aid
To help make your online education more affordable, Shawnee State offers financial aid in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants. If you have questions, our experienced enrollment counselors and tuition planners will assist you through the process.
Learn More About Financial Aid
Military Students
At Shawnee State, we want those who have served our country to get the education they deserve. As a veteran or current member of the U.S. military, you can receive federal and state educational benefits through the VA, and we will provide you with guidance and support throughout your online education.
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Career Outcomes
The online master’s degree in rhetoric and composition is designed for teachers interested in teaching English or writing at the high school, community college, and university levels. The program also qualifies graduates to teach courses for Ohio’s College Credit Plus programs.
Salary and job growth information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- These teachers usually work in public and private colleges and universities, professional schools, and junior or community colleges. The median wage for postsecondary teachers was $79,540 in May 2019, with English language and literature teachers earning a median wage of $68,490. The overall employment of postsecondary instructors is projected to grow 9% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. While many tenure-track positions require a Ph.D., many smaller universities and community colleges hire full-time faculty and sometimes tenure-track faculty with a Master’s degree.
- High school teachers give students the knowledge and skills they need for college and for entry-level employment. The median wage for high school teachers was $61,660 in May 2019, with the highest 10% of high school teachers earning more than $99,660. Increased student enrollment is projected to cause a job growth of 4% from 2019 to 2029. The coursework in our M.A. program may qualify you to teach dual-credit courses in your school; please see your state’s requirements for more information.
- Writing center directors oversee the daily operations of a writing center in an educational setting. Their responsibilities could include interviewing and hiring writing center staff, supervising staff, providing professional development opportunities, acting as a liaison with their organization, and maintaining writing center resources. These professionals make an average salary of $42,968 per year.
- Writing program administrators, also known as WPAs, work in postsecondary settings to oversee the development and delivery of English composition and writing courses. WPAs also conduct primary and secondary research, support faculty who teach writing, manage first-year writing programs and meet with students who require assistance with their writing. Postsecondary program administrators made a median salary of $95,410 in 2019. WPAs may work in tenure-track positions or in non-tenure-track administrative positions at colleges and universities.
