The MA in English concentration in professional writing and rhetoric is oriented to workplace uses of language. In addition to the training in pragmatic skills offered, the concentration is characterized by a self-reflexive attention to workplaces as institutions. Courses on research and theory in nonfiction writing complement instruction in editing, technical writing, digital publication, and other current practices to prepare students for roles as writers and editors in the private and public sectors. Instruction in research methodologies melds archival research with the most current technological advances to equip students with valuable research tools and strategies, while courses in literature, media studies, folklore, and linguistics provide insight into language and writing practices across a variety of contexts.
Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2013-2014)
Students in this concentration must complete the foreign language proficiency required of all students pursuing the MA in English and the requirements below.
Two required courses (6 credits)
ENGH 501 should be taken in the first semester of study, if possible.
ENGH 501 - Introduction to Professional Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGH 502 - Research Methods in Rhetoric and Professional Writing Credits: 3
Two courses (6 credits) in professional writing and rhetoric chosen from:
ENGH 503 - Theory and Practice of Editing Credits: 3
ENGH 504 - Internship Credits: 1-6
ENGH 505 - Document Design Credits: 3
ENGH 507 - Web Authoring and Design Credits: 3
ENGH 508 - Digital Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGH 611 - Studies in Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGH 612 - Cultures of Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGH 613 - Technical Communication Credits: 3
ENGH 697 - Composition Theory Credits: 3
One course (3 credits) in writing, nonfiction, or professional writing and rhetoric
ENGH 503 - Theory and Practice of Editing Credits: 3
ENGH 504 - Internship Credits: 1-6
ENGH 505 - Document Design Credits: 3
ENGH 506 - Research for narrative Writing Credits: 3
ENGH 507 - Web Authoring and Design Credits: 3
ENGH 508 - Digital Rhetoric Credits:3
ENGH 565 - Forms of Nonfiction Credits: 3
ENGH 611 - Studies in Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGH 612 - Cultures of Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGH 613 - Technical Communication Credits: 3
ENGH 615 - Proseminar in Composition Instruction Credits: 3
ENGH 616 - Nonfiction Writing Workshop Credits: 1-6
ENGH 619 - Speical Topics in Writing Credits: 3
ENGH 695 - Northern Virginia Writing Project Inservice Program Credits: 1-3
ENGH 697 - Composition Theory Credits: 3
ENGH 699 - Workshop in English Credits: 1-3
One course (3 credits) in theory chosen from:
ENGH 514 - Theories of Comparative Literature Credits: 3
ENGH 551 - Literary Criticism Credits: 3
ENGH 670 - Visual Culture: Theories and Histories Credits: 3
ENGH 675 - Feminist Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
ENGH 705 - Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
ENGH 676 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Credits: 3
Two or three elective courses in English (6-9 credits)
Project or Thesis (3 or 6 credits) (optional)
Project (3 credits)
Students who choose to do a project take 3 fewer credits of literature.
ENGH 797 - Projects in Professional Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 3
Thesis (6 credits)
Students who choose to do a thesis take 6 fewer credits of literature.
ENGH 799 - Thesis Credits: 1-6
Total: 30 Credits
Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.