M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change

Graduate

Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change Graduate Program

Theory and Practice

Students in this specialization join a vibrant community of scholars who research the transformative potential of writing and rhetoric and analyze the social, cultural, economic and historical forces shaping writing and rhetoric in theory and practice. Through analysis of and engagement with diverse contexts for writing, students create and apply methods for addressing shared social problems in classrooms and communities.

Our graduates study in top tier rhetoric and composition Ph.D. programs, teach composition and rhetoric at secondary and post-secondary levels, and work for social change through careers in government, publishing, industry, and non-profit organizations.

To find out more about the specifics of this program, take a look at these resources:

Program Requirements Checklist
Additional Graduate Advising Notes: MA Programs

Teach and reshape lives through classrooms and communities. Work for social change through government, industry, and nonprofit. Direct a Writing Center or Writing across the Curriculum program. Work in public relations, professional writing or technical writing. Write for the public sphere, effect policy, influence digital culture and challenge boundaries.

Application Process
MA - Writing, Rhetoric, & Social Change: Application Requirements

Program Highlights

Draw on a wide range of resources. These include, but aren’t limited to, a nationally recognized faculty with expertise in the history, practice, and theory of writing and writing instruction

Course offerings within the department covering key issues in the field

Courses offered in related departments, such as Speech Communication and Journalism and Technical Communication

Nationally recognized program for preparing graduate students to teach writing

Strong commitment to innovative uses of technology to support writers and teachers of writing, including a dedicated computer lab for graduate students, two computer-supported writing classrooms, and resources available online

Opportunity to participate in funded research conducted through the University’s Center for Research on Writing and Communication Technologies

Funding Opportunities

Apply to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant

Graduate Teaching Assistants in the English department receive nationally recognized training in the art of teaching writing and rhetoric. As instructors of the University Composition Program, GTAs prepare students to write, research, and design documents across audiences, genres, and contexts.

Typically, students awarded GTAships serve as instructors in the first-year composition course, CO 150: College Composition. The assistantship positions are limited and awarded on a competitive basis to begin in the fall semester.

These positions pay a monthly stipend and cover resident or non-resident tuition for first-year GTAs and resident tuition for second- and third-year GTAs.

Learn more about our GTA program

Work in the Writing Center as a Consultant

The CSU Writing Center annually holds thousands of consultations with a diverse group of writers from all disciplines across the University.

Writing Center consultants are members of a vibrant community of writers as they work, one-on-one, with students, faculty and community members on writing projects that range from first-year composition essays to graduate-level theses and dissertations to job application materials.

Learn more about the University Writing Center

What Are Students Saying?

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Joe Schicke

“My experience as a Rhetoric and Composition student at CSU was formative and inspiring, thanks in large part to an amazing ‘All-Star Team’ of professors. In addition to guiding my academic studies, they made me aware of the critical issues in higher education labor, essentially preparing me to be a socially conscious faculty member and citizen.”

 ~Joe Schicke, MA English: Rhetoric & Composition

Faculty

  • Timothy Amidon

    • Associate Professor of Digital Rhetoric
    • Director Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy Programs

  • Genesea M. Carter

    • Associate Director of Composition
    • Associate Professor

  • Doug Cloud

    • Associate Professor

  • Sue Doe

    • Professor, Executive Director of The Institute for Learning and Teaching Director of the Center for the Study of Academic Labor

  • Tobi Jacobi

    • Professor
    • Assistant Chair, English
    • Director of Community Literacy Center

  • Lisa Langstraat

    • Associate Professor

  • Erika Szymanski

    • Associate Professor (Microbiome Initiative Hire)
    • Graduate coordinator, Department of English
    • Affiliate faculty, Cell and Molecular Biology program
    • Program director for the MA in Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change

Ready to apply?

Review the Graduate School guide to start your application process. Here you will find information about general application requirements, international applicant requirements, how to submit your transcripts, and more.

The MA in Writing, Rhetoric, & Social Change Program at CSU is a WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program. Residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible for in-state tuition.

Begin your application to CSU.

Graduate School Student Handbook

Are you a current student? Quickly access essential academic, professional, and wellbeing resources, as well as important information about graduate student responsibilities via the Graduate School Student Handbook.

 

Free Graduate Application Days

CSU supports options for students to apply for free as part of our commitment to access. Our Free Graduate Application Days are Dec. 1, Jan. 14, and Jan. 15​.

You may be eligible to skip the graduate school application fee and apply for free. Learn more about CSU's Free Graduate Application Days.