MA in Composition

Dr. Lance Svehla recognized for committment to students

Department of English faculty member, Dr. Lance Svehla, will be recognized among state educators in the December issue of Ohio Magazine. Each year, Ohio Magazine selects awardees nominated for their teaching excellence, professional development, commitment to students outside of the classroom and distinction in the academic community.

Master of Arts in Composition

The department offers two tracks for the M.A. degree. Early registration is necessary to ensure that the 600-level seminars will run. Classes with low enrollment will be cancelled. Please contact the English department or download our handout for more information.

Thesis Option

A minimum of 33 credits is required (27 credits of coursework and 6 credits of thesis). Of the 27 credits of coursework, 18 must be in composition studies (including courses in composition, rhetoric, and linguistics). Of the 27 credits of coursework, 15 must be at the at the 600 level.

Non-Thesis Option

A minimum of 36 credits is required, only 6 or which may be individual reading. At least 24 credits are required in composition studies (including courses in composition, rhetoric, and linguistics). Of the 36 courses of coursework, 21 must be at the 600 level.

Required Courses for Both Options:

3300:673 Theories of Composition
3300:674 Research Methods in Composition 3300:650 New Rhetorics

Students must also choose one of the following two courses:

3300:589 Grammatical Structures
or
3300:670 Modern Linguistics

And one of the following three courses:

3300:589 Management Reports
or
3300:625 Autobiographical Writing
or
3300:679 Scholarly Writing

Note: How graduate courses count for the M.A. requirements in literature or composition is explained in a separate document available from the Graduate Coordinator and posted in the Graduate Assistant office.

English - Composition Track

The Composition Track is intended for students interested in teaching English in secondary schools, two-year colleges, and four-year colleges. The degree is also appropriate for those planning to enter a doctoral program in composition and rhetoric. The program does not lead to state certification for teaching; students should consult the Department of Curricular and Instructional Studies for requirements for state certification to teach in the public schools.

Admission Requirements

Statement of purpose. Please send a 1-2 page Statement of Background and Goals to the English Department at englishsa2@uakron.edu.

Application Deadline

Applications to the master's degree program in English - Composition are accepted on a rolling basis.

Additional Information

The department offers two tracks for the M.A. degree. Early registration is necessary to ensure that the 600-level seminars will run. Classes with low enrollment will be cancelled.

Assistantship/Scholarship Information

All assistantships (and any fellowships) are awarded through the academic department. Students interested in obtaining an assistantship must apply. New students may indicate on their online application for admission that they would like to be considered for an assistantship. Current students must contact the academic department for application information. Each department may have different requirements for assistantship applicants, so all students should contact the academic department to determine these particular requirements. Only those students fully admitted to a master’s or doctoral degree-seeking program are eligible for a graduate assistantship. Students admitted as non-degree seeking or to a certificate program may not hold an assistantship.

Financial Aid Information

Paying for college is a vital part of the education process! it is important to be informed of the many sources of aid available. Student loans are available to degree-seeking graduate students. Information on student loans can be found through the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Office of Student Financial Aid is located in Simmons Hall.