Degree Requirements

You will take 30 credits of coursework:

• ENL 501 Rhetorical Theory (3 credits)
• ENL 510 Principles of Investigation, Field, Research, and Validation (3 credits)
• Seven additional elective Professional Writing courses, of which four must be 600-level courses (21 credits)
• One internship (A second internship may be taken in lieu of an elective course (3/6 credits)

You will earn an additional 3 credits designing and assembling a professional-caliber portfolio of original and exceptional work completed while in the graduate program. This portfolio will serve as your Master's thesis, and will be submitted to your committee at the end of your graduate studies.

In preparing for the portfolio, you will research (in ENL 510) the historical trends, rhetorical and theoretical underpinnings, and current best practices in your chosen field of writing. Based upon the research, you will draft a thesis proposal demonstrating your understanding of that field and justifying your proposed portfolio concept, including an in-depth discussion of your work as it relates to writing professionally. Your mission in the thesis proposal is to demonstrate expertise in your chosen field and rhetorical acumen for constructing a sound, professional portfolio.

You will have six years to complete the program. You may appeal to the graduate committee for a deadline extension should special circumstances arise.

Elective Courses

Check the Graduate Catalog for a list of current Professional Writing courses from which you may choose to fulfill the remainder of your course requirements.

Internships

You are required to take one internship; you may take a maximum of two. Please see the internship or project guidelines page for more information.

• ENL 701-702 Internship in Technical Writing
• ENL 703-704 Internship in Journalism
• ENL 705-706 Internship in Creative Writing, Scriptwriting, or Translation
• ENL 707-708 Internship in Business and Professional Writing

Graduate Thesis or Project

You are required to complete a thesis or project, registering for the following:

• ENL 750 Thesis or Project I

Other Guidelines and Requirements

Assignment of Advisors

Once you have been accepted into the program and have declared your area of interest, the Graduate Director will assign you a faculty advisor. You should schedule a conference with your advisor to ensure that you are fulfilling all the necessary program requirements.

Credit Requirements for Full-Time Status

Full-time degree candidates are required to take 9 credits (three courses) a semester. If you want to take more than 9 credits in a semester, you need the approval of your advisor. You may take fewer than 9 credits; however, you will be listed as a part-time student. Teaching assistantships are limited to full-time students. To maintain full-time status, teaching assistants are required to take 6 credits (two courses) each semester. TAs will be limited to 6 credits in their first semester, but may register for 9 credits each semester thereafter.

Grade Requirements

You must maintain a grade point average of B or better. You will be dismissed if:

• your grade point average falls below a B (GPA 3.00) after 15 or more semester hours (5 classes) or 50 percent of your course work has been completed;
• you receive 3 grades of C or below in graduate courses;

or

• if your thesis or project receives a final grade of F.

During work on your thesis or project, you will be given a grade of IP (in progress). Once your committee has approved your thesis or project, your graduate advisor will submit a grade and your thesis title for inclusion on your transcript. Distinguished work will be so noted on the transcript.