The Rhetoric and Composition Master of Arts track prepares students for teaching college-level writing, for continuing to a PhD program in rhetoric and composition, and for working in public and professional situations that call for effective persuasion and communication.
The program prepares students to engage in technologically adept, theory-based writing research and pedagogy. The program emphasizes rhetorical, writing, and literacy traditions and theories, particularly as they relate to the teaching of writing. This degree is ideal preparation for teaching college-level writing, for continuing to a PhD program in rhetoric and composition, and for working in public and professional situations that call for effective persuasion and communication.
Upon completion of this program, students receive a Master of Arts in English diploma and their transcript shows both Master of Arts in English and Rhetoric and Composition track.
Each student must complete at least 33 credit hours, including 15 credit hours of required courses, 15 credit hours of elective courses, and 3 hours of thesis/non-thesis hours. Before beginning thesis/non-thesis hours, the student will develop and get approved an annotated bibliography related to their proposed thesis or non-thesis topic.
The program requires that students complete a thesis or non-thesis project approved by the graduate faculty that contributes to some aspect of rhetorical, writing, and/or literacy studies.
Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Program Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree in English, Rhetoric, and Composition, Writing Studies, Communication Studies, or related discipline. Or a completed bachelors degree with substantial coursework in one of the aforementioned areas.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
15 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- ENC5703 - Composition Histories and Theories (3)
- ENC5920 - Colloquium in Rhetoric and Composition (3)
- ENC6335 - Rhetorical Traditions (3)
- ENC6712 - Studies in Literacy and Writing (3)
- ENC6720 - Research Methods in Rhetoric and Composition (3)
Elective Courses
15 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Restricted - 9 Hours- Complete all of the following
- Complete at least 3 of the following:
- ENC5237 - Writing for the Business Professional (3)
- ENC5276 - Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing (3)
- ENC5337 - Rhetorical Theory (3)
- ENC5705 - Approaches to Teaching College Composition (3)
- ENC6421 - Digital Rhetorics (3)
- ENC6428 - Digital Literacies (3)
- ENC6245 - Teaching Professional Writing (3)
- ENC6247 - Proposal Writing (3)
- ENC6306 - Persuasive Writing (3)
- ENC6332 - Gendered Rhetoric (3)
- ENC6333 - Contemporary Rhetoric and Composition Theory (3)
- ENC6338 - The Rhetorics of Public Debate (3)
- ENC6339 - Rhetorical Movements (3)
- ENC6701 - Professional Writing Studies (3)
- ENC6740 - Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (3)
- ENC6945 - Community Literacy Practicum (3)
- LIN5137 - Linguistics (3)
- LIN5675 - English Grammar and Usage (3)
- LIT6435 - Rhetoric of Science (3)
- - ENC 5705 - Approaches to Teaching College Composition Note: Graduate Teaching Associates are required to enroll in this course before they become instructors of record. - ENC 6740 - Topics in Rhetoric and Composition This course may be used in the degree program a maximum of two times when course content is different.
Unrestricted - 6 Hours- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Students will work with an advisor to choose two other graduate-level Writing and Rhetoric courses or approved courses outside the department (e.g., English, Texts & Technology, History, etc.).
Thesis/Non-Thesis Option
3 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: ENC 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours Students complete a formal thesis on a topic selected in consultation with an advisory committee and will meet both departmental and university requirements for the thesis.
Non-thesis- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- ENC6918 - Directed Research (1 - 99)
- Students complete a capstone project, which may be an essay intended for publication or a portfolio representative of their work in the program.
Grand Total Credits: 33
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the Admissions section, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- A bachelor's degree in English, Rhetoric, and Composition, Writing Studies, Communication Studies, or related discipline. Or a completed bachelors degree with substantial coursework in one of the aforementioned areas.
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or others familiar with applicant's academic potential.
- One year of a foreign language at the university level (may be taken while in graduate residence).
- A one to two-page goal statement addressing the applicant's reasons for pursuing graduate study in Rhetoric and Composition.
- A writing sample that demonstrates an ability to analyze and argue, approximately ten pages. Writing should be "clean": typed, error-free, with no teacher comments. The academic essay should demonstrate an ability to follow a scholarly documentation format such as MLA or APA.
- A computer-based score of 233 (or 91 internet-based score) on the Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL) if an applicant is from a country where English is not the official language, or if an applicant's degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, or if an applicant did not earn a degree in a country where English is the only official language or a university where English is the only official language of instruction. Although we prefer the TOEFL, we will accept IELTS scores of 7.0.
- A résumé or cv is required for applicants seeking assistantship positions.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a credential evaluation showing an equivalent bachelor's degree in the U.S. A course-by-course evaluation must be provided, with a GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on the evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant's career/academic goals, and the applicant's potential for completing the degree.
Application Deadlines
| English MA, Rhetoric and Composition | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Apr 1 | Dec 1 | |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 1 | Jul 1 | |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
