Rhetoric and Professional Writing
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Department of English offers an MA degree with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Professional Writing and a PhD in Public Rhetorics and Community Engagement. Our department is consistently ranked in the top third and our program is distinguished by its:
- focus on training teacher-scholars,
- a close-knit, supportive community, and
- interdisciplinary scholarship.
Our faculty members publish award-winning books and articles, serve on the editorial boards of leading journals and book series, hold leadership positions in national organizations, and are frequently invited to conferences as featured or keynote speakers.
Admission RequirementsÂ
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet  plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Undergraduate major in English or related field, with appropriate background for proposed concentration of study: Plan A, broad background in English and American literature; Plan B, literature, linguistics, and/or composition; Plan C, literature and creative writing; Plan H, background in media studies, film studies, or digital and/or popular culture.
- Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
- Reason statement.
- Three letters of recommendation to the Department’s Director of Graduate Studies from persons familiar with applicant’s academic ability and achievement.
- A sample of academic writing.
- For Plan C admission, an applicant must also submit samples of original fiction or poetry.
For more information about how to apply to the graduate program in English, as well as admissions FAQs, please see the Students/Graduate section of the English department web site.
Plan B (Rhetoric and Professional Writing)
A minimum of 30 credits, including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses 1 | ||
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý712 | Theories in Public Rhetorics and Community Engagement: | 3 |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý713 | Research Methods in Rhetorics, Literacies, and Community Engagement: | 3 |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý750 | History of Rhetoric and Writing Studies: | 3 |
| Select 21 credits of electives 2 | 21 | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý427 | Writing for Nonprofits | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý431³Ò | Topics in Advanced Communications: | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý432 | The Rhetoric of Argument | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý439 | Information Design | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý443 | Grant Writing | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý444 | Technical Editing | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý633³Ò | Seminar in Rhetoric and Professional Writing: | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý701 | Writing Pedagogies | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý711 | Topics in Public and Professional Writing: | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý749 | Advanced Internship in Writing and Community Engagement | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý755 | Issues in Writing Research: | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý790 | Master's Project 3 | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý854 | Seminar in College Writing Pedagogy: | |
| ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý855 | Seminar in Public Rhetorics and Community Engagement: | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý712, ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý713, and ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý750 may be taken twice with different topics with the second iteration counting toward Electives.
- 2
No more than 6 credits may be from courses below the 700 level. Students may take up to 6 credits of ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý749 and may take ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý711, ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý755, ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý854, and ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý855 up to three times with different topics.
- 3
Electives may include up to 6 credits of ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý790. Please consult your advisor for guidance on enrolling in ·¡±·³Ò³¢±õ³§±áÌý790 and preparing for the MA project and exam.
Additional Requirements
- A final project, which shall be a research paper appropriate to the student’s professional goals.
- An oral examination, usually lasting an hour and a half, which covers the final project.