Graduate
Certificate Programs
Teaching Writing
The graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing is a 20-hour program of study for certified middle school or high school teachers, part-time university writing faculty and lecturers in other disciplines, and M.A. students interested in earning a certificate in writing to enhance their professional teaching careers.
Major topics include theories and methods of teaching writing; understanding linguistic diversity; uses of technology in writing; social aspects of writing development; non-fiction writing; writing assessment; and teacher research. The certificate requires completion of five graduate courses consisting of one core course and four elective courses.
Graduate credits earned can be applied toward the M.A. in English upon acceptance into the M.A. For further information, please contact the director in the certificate in teaching writing program.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the certificate in teaching writing will able to:
- Recognize and define major theories and historical perspectives in the teaching of writing.
- Analyze the complexities of writing and its uses in personal, public, and professional contexts.
- Create, design, and produce effective evaluations of writing assignments and supporting activities.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a reflective, research-based approach to major issues in the teaching of writing.
- Articulate an informed, practical pedagogy for the teaching of writing.
- Write a clear and persuasive research-based argument that adheres to conventions of documentation.
- Evaluate impact of culture, gender, race, and history on texts and ideas as well as language use and structure.
- Demonstrate an ability to accept and offer critical feedback to and from peers.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of a B.A. with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or the equivalent from an accredited institution; or
- Current enrollment as a Graduate student at IU Indianapolis; or
- Successful completion of an M.A. degree or higher at an accredited institution; or
- State certification in middle school of high school teaching.
Student Consumer Information for the Certificate in Teaching Writing. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website.
Instructions for applying to the Certificate in Teaching Writing can be found on the English Department’s website.
Curriculum Requirements
Core course (4 cr.):
- ENG-W 509: Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies (4 cr.)
Elective courses: (16 cr.)
- ENG-W 500: Teaching Writing: Issues and Approaches (4 cr.)
- ENG-W 508: Graduate Creative Writing for Teachers (4 cr.)
- ENG-W 510: Computers in Composition (4 cr.)
- ENG-W 531: Designing and Editing Visual Technical Communication (4 cr.)
- ENG-W 590: Teaching Composition: Theory and Practice (4 cr.)
- ENG-W 600: VariableTopics in Rhetoric and Composition (4 cr.)
- Assessing Writing
- Qualitative Research
- Basic Writing Pedagogy
- Written Englishes: Living Cultural Realities
- Teaching Technical and Professional Writing
- ENG-W 605: The Writing Project Summer Institute (4 cr.)
- ENG-W 609: Individual Writing Projects (1-4 cr.)
- ENG-W 615: Graduate Creative Non-fiction Writing (4 cr.)
- ENG-W 697: Independent Study in Writing (1-3 cr.)
Writing Project Advanced Institute
