Department of English
M.A.T.E. Program
Writing Emphasis

Specific Requirements

The M.A.T.E. Writing emphasis focuses on the integration of writing theory and practice through imaginative and academic writing, coupled with related work in literature and language. Course work in pedagogy, offered through the College of Education, is also encouraged. By developing skill as writers while exploring recent research in composition theory and pedagogy, students have the opportunity to develop integrated, theoretically sound, and practical views of the field.

1. General Requirements. See the sections above on general master's degree and M.A.T.E. degree requirements.

2. Course Requirements.

a) Required Composition. Students must take English 730, The Craft of Writing, and either English 609 or CI 638. English 730 is customarily offered each fall semester and should be taken at the earliest opportunity.

b) Composition Electives. Electives should be chosen from the following composition courses. Students in Plan A must take at least 4 credits, and students in Plan B must take at least 8 credits, from English 601B, 603A, 603B, 604A, 604B, 608B, 608C,  675B, 705, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738; CI 604, 666, 667, 734, 778.

c) Other Electives. In consultation with his or her advisory committee, the student will choose additional electives in English, at least 7 credits in Plan A, or at least 11 credits in Plan B.

d) Language Studies. The student's undergraduate or graduate course work must include an advanced course in English language studies, such as English 414A/614A, 411B/611B, or 412A/612A, as approved by the advisory committee.

3. Education Courses. The student's course work may include up to 12 credits in courses taken in the College of Education.

4. Portfolio. Each student will assemble a portfolio of ancillary work in the field of writing. The portfolio should demonstrate the student's professional involvement beyond course work and may include published writing or writing submitted for publication, syllabi of writing courses developed or taught by the student, membership and participation in professional organizations, service on school or college curriculum or writing committees, or presentation of papers at workshops and conferences. At the final oral examination or at a different scheduled time, the student will discuss the completed portfolio with his or her advisory committee.

5. Comprehensive Examination (written and oral). The M.A.T.E. Writing emphasis exam is based on an annotated list of approximately fifteen books that the student prepares throughout his or her time in the program, in consultation with the advisory committee. After completing the annotated list, the student writes a paper discussing a particular issue or problem that emerged in the reading. Alternatively, the student may elect to take a one-day written examination over the list. After the student has passed the exam, the advisory committee will conduct an oral review of the exam, not to last more than an hour and a half. The student must register for English 795, Comprehensive Examination, one credit, the semester he or she will be completing the oral exam.

6. Thesis (Plan A only). Following approval of a prospectus, the student will write a thesis in consultation with the advisory committee. The thesis may be a study in composition theory and practice, a piece of teacher research, an investigation of writing in the context of the English language arts or school curriculum, or a work of imaginative writing.

7. Thesis Defense (Plan A only). The final oral exam, given by the candidate's advisory committee, will last about an hour and a half and will be a defense of the thesis. Candidates who prepare writings as a thesis project may instead present their thesis as a public reading and discussion of that work.

Last Updated: January 2, 2009