Composition, Rhetoric, and English Studies (CRES)

The department offers MA and PhD degrees in English with a focus area in Composition, Rhetoric, and English Studies (CRES). The CRES program emphasizes the teaching of writing and the study of language, literacy, and rhetoric, particularly digital and cultural rhetorics. The MA program is ideal for those who wish to do community college teaching or administrative work, and for students wishing to continue on to the PhD. The doctoral program is designed for those seeking academic positions as composition specialists (researchers, teachers, or administrators) in postsecondary English departments that emphasize writing instruction.

Student Focus

Department faculty mentor students at all stages of their graduate experience, from coursework to teaching, from examinations to the writing of master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. The CRES program has been successful in placing MA students in top PhD programs in rhetoric & composition, and our PhD program in placing graduates in tenure track and full-time teaching positions.

Graduate students in our department not only have the opportunity to learn in an engaging environment but also to teach with steady training and mentorship. Both our MA and PhD programs are fully funded. CRES students work as tutors in our Writing Center, teach in our First Year Writing program and our Professional, Public, and Digital Writing undergraduate program, as well as gain experience serving in some administrative roles.

MA Program Requirements PhD Program Requirements

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