Master’s program provides more options

By Emily Gummelt

For those interested in becoming better teachers of writing, a new opportunity has risen.

A new Master’s program in written communications has been implemented.

Dr. Kaye Adkins, associate professor of English/technical communication, said this degree has two options.

The first option is in writing studies, and is designed for high school teachers wanting to improve their understanding of writing pedagogy and those who may be interested in teaching writing at the post-secondary level as instructors of composition.

This option also includes a factor for students who might someday pursue a PhD in composition and rhetoric with an interest in becoming a writing program administrator.

The second option is in technical communication, building on the already successful undergraduate program in this area of study.

This is designed for professionals in a variety of settings and industries who would like to improve their writing skills, prepare to manage writing projects and teams and learn about the field of technical communication of the past, present and future.

This program includes courses from graduate programs that have been acquired outside of the English department.

ENG 520 History and Theory of Rhetoric and EPR 620 Proposal and Grant Writing are two new courses that have been added, and they are the key courses of this program.

The Writing Studies option consists of three new courses: ENG 601 Practicum in the Teaching of College Writing, ENG 640 Writing for Management and Supervision and ENG 664 Composition Theory and Pedagogy.

Several other courses which were developed as part of the Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing will be included also.

“Quite a few students have already begun working on the Certificate in the Teaching of Writing that was the forerunner to the Writing Studies option,” Adkins said. “We have received about a dozen inquiries about both options, and last year, when we surveyed area professionals about interest in a graduate program in technical communication, we received a positive response and several inquiries about when the program would come on line.”

The Technical Communication option will include three new courses consisting of the following: ETC 600 Graduate Studies in Technical Communication, ETC 616 Internship in Technical Communication and ETC 520 Publications Management.

Adkins verified whether or not new faculty will be hired to teach the courses in this program.

“We have kept the MAA in written communication as we have made recent hires,” Adkins said.

Faculty in the English department who may teach courses in this MAA consist of Adkins, herself, Dr. Robert Bergland, Dr. Michael Cadden, Dr. Michael Charlton, Dr. Patricia Donaher, Dr. Jane Frick, Dr. Cynthia Jeney, Dr. Kenneth Rosenauer, Dr. Kay Siebler and Dr. Ann Thorne.

Adkins provided insight as to what students can do with this degree after graduation.

“Middle and high school teachers will be able to use this graduate degree to improve their teaching of writing,” Adkins said. “This degree will meet the requirements for Master’s degrees that many school districts expect of their teachers.”