MA in Rhetoric and Scientific & Technical Communication

The MA program combines foundational coursework with robust research and pedagogical training. Students work with renowned faculty to develop expertise in areas like:

• rhetoric of science, environment, health, and medicine;
• technical communication, including usability, user experience design, and digital literacy; 
• critical and intercultural pedagogy;
• multimodal composition; and
• digital and classical rhetorics. 

Our program enables students to become teacher-scholars in their field of choice and lead state-of-the-art research. The MA program also prepares students for doctoral-level work. In the fall of their second year, MA students making satisfactory progress are invited to apply to the RSTC PhD program

Graduate Handbook

Review our MA handbook for current requirements and policies.

MA Program Requirements

Coursework

The MA program requires 34 credits (typically 12 3-credit courses) across five primary requirements. MA students typically take three courses per semester.

Methods & Pedagogies (7 credits)

MA students take three required courses:

• WRIT 5531: Introduction to Writing Theories and Pedagogies
• WRIT 5532: Practicum in Writing Pedagogies
• WRIT 8011: Research Methods in Writing Studies and Technical Communication

Core Areas (12 credits)

MA students complete four courses (or 12 credits) across the core areas of rhetoric, writing studies and pedagogy, and technical communication. Course options include classical rhetoric, modern rhetoric, and seminars. Seminar topics vary depending on faculty expertise. Recent topics include: 

• Social Justice in Technical Communication
• Multimodality and Writing Instruction
• Embodied Politics: Rhetoric, Medicine & Disability
• Viral Rhetorics: Persuasion & Politics in SocMedia

Specialty Area (6 credits)

MA students choose courses in the Department of Writing Studies to develop their scholarly interests. 

Outside Coursework (6 credits)

MA students choose courses in other departments to further specialize. Students may complete a formal graduate minor to fulfill this requirement. 

Thesis Credits (3 credits)

In their final semester, MA students enroll in WRIT 8794: Directed Research. This course provides students the time and space to develop their Plan B project with support from their advisor(s). 

Plan B Project

MA students are required to complete a “Plan B” project during their final semester. In RSTC, the Plan B project typically takes the form of a research/scholarly project with an academic paper as the final deliverable. The project focuses on a student’s area of interest and stems from their coursework and/or faculty collaborations. See the MA handbook for more details.

Catalog Requirements