The Master of Arts in Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse (WRD) combines a strong theoretical foundation in rhetoric and discourse with practical training in the areas of teaching writing and language, professional and technical writing, and digital content creation. The program’s mix of theory and practice prepares students to write and to create digital content in professional, technical, or nonprofit settings; to teach writing and English in post-secondary institutions; and to continue academic study in related PhD programs.
The MA in WRD may also be expanded to include select graduate certificate programs covering particular areas of interest. Students participating in a combined MA/certificate program should consult with their academic advisor to determine what coursework might count toward both programs. A separate application process for the certificate is required. Students who are interested in any of the following combination programs should contact the Graduate Student Services Office for additional information.
- WRD + Digital Humanities Certificate
- WRD + Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate
- WRD + Teaching English in Two-Year Colleges Certificate
- WRD + Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate
- WRD + Strategic Writing and Advancement for Nonprofit (SWAN) Certificate
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 48 |
| Total hours required | 48 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Describe key concepts, theories, and histories in the study of writing and rhetoric.
- Produce complex written arguments that demonstrate a clear, cohesive, and appropriate written style.
- Design persuasive multimodal texts.
- Assess the ethical, civic, or political dimensions of rhetoric, language, or writing technologies, including dynamics of culture and power.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Students complete 12 courses (48 credits) to graduate from the MA in WRD program. Program requirements vary based on whether or not the student declares a concentration.
Required Course (4 credits)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WRD 500 | PROSEMINAR (To be taken within the first 4 courses of the program) | 4 |
Rhetoric and Discourse Courses (12 credits)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three from the following: | 12 | |
| ANCIENT RHETORICS | ||
| CONTEMPORARY RHETORICS | ||
| MULTICULTURAL RHETORICS | ||
| GLOBAL ENGLISHES | ||
| DISCOURSE AND STYLE | ||
| GENRE THEORY AND PRACTICE | ||
| TOPICS IN RHETORICAL HISTORY | ||
| TOPICS IN COMMUNITY, CULTURE AND IDENTITY | ||
| TOPICS IN LANGUAGE | ||
| SEMIOTICS | ||
| SOCIOLINGUISTICS | ||
| THE ESSAY | ||
Optional Concentrations (16 credits)
Professional & Digital Writing
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four from the following: | 16 | |
| TECHNICAL WRITING | ||
| WRITING IN THE PROFESSIONS | ||
| EDITING | ||
| DOCUMENT DESIGN | ||
| WRITING FOR THE WEB | ||
| GRANT AND PROPOSAL WRITING | ||
| TOPICS IN PROFESSIONAL AND DIGITAL WRITING | ||
| DIGITAL STORYTELLING | ||
| CONTENT STRATEGY | ||
| WRITING ACROSS MEDIA | ||
| MARKUP AND TEXT ENCODING IN THE HUMANITIES | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL AND DIGITAL WRITING | ||
Teaching Writing & Language
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four from the following: | 16 | |
| TEACHING WRITING | ||
| COMPOSITION THEORY | ||
| URBAN LITERACIES | ||
| TEACHING ESL WRITING | ||
| TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE | ||
| TEACHING WRITING ONLINE | ||
| PEDAGOGICAL GRAMMAR | ||
| AP INSTITUTE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION | ||
| TOPICS IN TEACHING WRITING AND LANGUAGE | ||
| TEACHING APPRENTICESHIP PRACTICUM | ||
| WRITING CENTER THEORY AND PEDAGOGY | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN TEACHING WRITING AND LANGUAGE | ||
Electives (8-32 credits)
- Students who declare a concentration take four elective courses (16 credits); students who do not declare a concentration take eight elective courses (32 credits).
- Students may declare a concentration by completing the LAS Graduate Concentration Declaration.
- All 500-level WRD courses count for elective credit.
- Students who have completed six MA in WRD courses may take up to two courses outside of the MA in WRD for elective credit; the WRD Graduate Committee must approve any course a student wishes to take outside of the department.
Exit Requirement
All students will deliver a presentation during their last quarter in the program. This presentation will incorporate research, analysis, and reflection to critically consider the student's pathway through the MAWRD program and look ahead to post-graduate plans. It will be presented to an audience of peers and faculty.
Student Handbook
Probation
To maintain good standing, students must
- Complete at least two courses in WRD within twelve months of their admission to the program; and-
- Maintain an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0 in their course work.
Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on probation and given two quarters to raise their average to the minimum 3.0 level. Students on probation are required to consult with the program director before registering for classes. Failure to meet these requirements constitutes grounds for dismissal.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from the program in any of the following cases:
- failure to maintain a GPA above 3.0 for three consecutive quarters;
- failure to meet with the program director before registering for classes while on academic probation; or
- failure to complete at least two courses in WRD within twelve months of their admission to the program.
Readmission
If a student is dismissed from the program (as outlined in the dismissal policy), he or she may reapply through the formal application process
Transfer Credit
Students may transfer up to 12 credits (or three courses) of relevant coursework taken in another program.
Students may not transfer credits taken in pursuit of a completed degree or certificate. The exact number of credits and courses that transfer will be determined by the MA in WRD Director, based on a review of the syllabus/syllabi for which transfer credit is requested.
Transfer grades from other institutions do not calculate into the DePaul grade point average.
Undergraduate Courses
Students may take one four-credit undergraduate-level course for credit toward their graduate degree, students must request approval to take an undergraduate course from the WRD Graduate Committee prior to registering for the course.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the program, students must complete all program requirements with a total of 48 credit hours (12 courses) and a minimum GPA of 2.8.
Graduation with Distinction
To graduate with distinction, students must have a final GPA of 3.9 or higher.
Time Limit
Students must complete the program within six years of their start date. Students who fail to complete the program within this timeframe must re-apply to the program.
Non-WRD Courses
Students may take up to two non-WRD courses at DePaul to count toward their degree (to search for courses, go to Class Search and choose the subject/department of your choice). Students must complete six courses in WRD before taking courses outside of the program. In exceptional cases (e.g., students completing certificate programs that require non-WRD courses), students may be granted permission to take courses outside of the program earlier in their degree study. All non-WRD courses must be approved by the WRD Graduate Committee prior to enrollment in the course.
Students who have transferred in two or more courses from another institution (see Transfer Credit policy) must take all of their remaining courses in the WRD program.
Non-Degree-Seeking Students
All WRD graduate courses are open to non-degree-seeking students, with the exception of the following:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WRD 500 | PROSEMINAR | 4 |
| WRD 590 | INTERNSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL AND DIGITAL WRITING | 4 |
| WRD 591 | INTERNSHIP IN TEACHING WRITING AND LANGUAGE | 4 |
| WRD 595 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1-8 |
Graduate Assistantships/Fellowships
One or two graduate assistantship (GA) positions and two Partial Tuition Fellowships (PTFs) are typically available for MA in WRD students on an annual basis. Details regarding upcoming GA and PTF opportunities are available on the Financial Assistance page of the WRD website.
Partial Tuition Waivers
Partial Tuition Waivers (PTW) are awarded quarterly to eligible students. Eligibility is based on GPA and financial need. There is no limit to the number of times that an eligible student may apply for and receive a PTW award during their MA degree. Only WRD courses are eligible for PTW reimbursement awards.
To apply for a PTW award, students must complete the application form circulated by the MA in WRD Program Director at the end of week two of each quarter.
Internships
Internships in professional or digital writing (WRD 590) or in teaching (WRD 591) can be completed for credit. Students interested in completing an internship should visit the professional internships page for more information on the internship process. In some cases, students may be eligible for a Community- and Project-Based Learning (CPBL) Internship Scholarship—a competitive award from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences—to offset the cost of the internship course.
Independent Studies
WRD 595 Independent Study is offered to allow students the opportunity to explore specific interests for which a formal WRD course is not offered. In general, WRD 595 courses will count as electives in a student’s degree program. WRD 595 can only fulfill area requirements (Rhetoric & Discourse or a concentration area) when these requirements cannot be filled through a formal course (e.g., because such a course is not offered).
A WRD graduate faculty member with expertise in the proposed topic typically serves as the instructor of record for WRD 595. The student should meet with the faculty member to discuss their ability to lead the independent study. The student and instructor should work together to develop course materials for the independent study, including learning outcomes, schedule, readings, and project descriptions. In addition to the course materials, the student should write a 250-word rationale explaining why they are requesting the independent study and how it fits within their course of study in the program and professional or academic goals. All materials should be emailed to the Director of the MA in WRD at least four weeks prior to the start of the quarter in which the independent study is to occur. The WRD Graduate Committee will review the materials for the independent study. The WRD Graduate Committee may return the materials with instructions for revisions; revised materials should be submitted to the MA WRD Director no less than two weeks prior to the start of the quarter.
If the independent study is approved, the student will be asked to make a 20-minute presentation about their scholarship to an audience of interested students and faculty near the end of the quarter in which the independent study is completed.
If a student wishes to complete a WRD 595 course with a non-WRD graduate faculty member, the student should consult with the Director of the MA in WRD.
After receiving approval from the Graduate Committee, the student must request registration online. Registration should be completed one week before the beginning of the quarter. After online approval by the course instructor and Director of the MA in WRD, the student will be enrolled in WRD 595.
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Download the full version of the MA in WRD Student Handbook.