This certificate enables current and prospective teachers (Grade 5-College) to develop expertise in teaching writing. Students will gain theoretical, practical, and experiential knowledge about the teaching of writing that will strengthen their confidence and understanding as writing teachers.
Program Requirements
Common Core
Introduction to the major theories of the nature of composition and their pedagogical application.
Prerequisites:
none
Restricted Electives
Choose 6 credits. Only 3 credits can be at the 500-level.
This course familiarizes students with various approaches and strategies to the teaching of creative writing. Discussions of classroom practices and pedagogical theories as well as teaching demonstrations prepare students to plan and develop an introductory-level creative writing course.
Prerequisites:
none
Students will examine a current area of interest in the field of Writing Studies, including the topic's theoretical, scholarly, and pedagogical implications for writing and/or the teaching of writing. This course can be repeated for credit as the topic changes each time it is offered.
Prerequisites:
none
Advanced interdisciplinary writing emphasizes critical reading and thinking, argumentative writing, library research, and documentation of sources in an academic setting. Practice and study of selected rhetorics of inquiry employed in academic disciplines preparing students for different systems of writing.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed to familiarize students with current theories and practices of writing centers as well as to provide training in working with writers one-on-one. During the course, students will discuss best practices for teaching writing and examine the roles writing centers play in helping students negotiate the terrain of college literacy. The focus of the course will be to prepare students in the history of writing centers, to discuss the current scholarship and theory on best practices in writing centers, and to outline and provide interactive opportunities into the pedagogy of writing center tutoring.
Prerequisites:
none
This course aims to develop students¿ understanding of the interdisciplinary field of second language (L2) writing and, more specifically, the unique characteristics and instructional needs of L2 writers across multiple contexts.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will examine current instructional practices used to teach writing in academic settings. This course can be repeated for credits as the topic changes each time it is offered.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will introduce methods of inquiry-based research for investigating writing practices and pedagogy; this research could be conducted in classrooms for the purpose of improving teaching practices, students' learning, and/or institutional curricular design and practices.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will explore the theoretical and practical implications of integrating literature into the composition classroom.
Prerequisites:
none
Policies
Language Requirement
Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo of 110 to be admitted to the program.
Application Requirements
A personal statement, not to exceed two pages, describing the applicant’s (1) relevant background information and (2) current teaching and research interests, as well as (3) how MNSU’s graduate Rhetoric and Composition program will support their academic and professional goals.
Resume
Other
Students pursuing the Teaching Writing Graduate Certificate who have a 3.5 GPA or higher and have completed at least 9 credit hours can petition the Graduate Studies Coordinator of the English Department to transfer to the MA in Literature and Composition without filing a new application.
For additional policies relevant to all Minnesota State University graduate programs, consult the College of Graduate Studies.
