Graduate
Certificate Programs
Composition Studies
As a student in the IU Online Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies, you explore the core principles of writing and literature. You learn to teach students to craft sound arguments using close attention to logic, context, and audience. You also develop a fluency with the current debates, schools, and theories of writing instruction.
Student Learning Outcomes
In contrast to traditional M.A. programs, which place heavy emphasis on literary history, the IU Indianapolis program focuses on the application of English studies to contemporary situations and problems. Students completing the English M.A. curriculum will be able to:
- Identify and define fundamental concepts, terms, and theories in two areas of graduate-level English studies (writing, creative writing, literature, linguistics).
- Critically read, write about, and evaluate issues in English Studies.
- Demonstrate advanced skills in reading, writing, and evaluating issues in the discipline of English Studies.
- Apply various critical perspectives to a wide range of texts, including historical, theoretical, and literary material.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the cultural diversity of language and literatures.
- Plan and present coherent, persuasive, and original oral and written arguments.
- Design and conduct independent research.
- Produce through a reflective writing process manuscripts suitable for publication.
Areas of focus include:
- Contemporary theory on the pedagogy of composition and literature
- Linguistic structures and history of the English language
- Reading strategies and literary analysis, with attention to close reading, style, form, genre, and rhetorical practices
- Approaches to composition and writing instruction, including the identification and evaluation of sources, use of evidence, generation of ideas, and the development and organization of argument
- Fostering discussion and developing presentation skills in a seminar setting
- Developing archival research skills and facility with electronic resources
- Developments, trends, and frontiers in the digital humanities
Of special interest to dual-credit and community college instructors needing to meet higher learning commission standards
The stand-alone Certificate in Composition Studies provides the requisite number of discipline-specific graduate credits for those who already hold a master’s degree. Students who need both the discipline-specific coursework and a master’s degree may take the additional required English graduate classes to earn a master’s in English.
Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies prepares you for such careers as:
- Composition dual-credit teacher (high school)
- Composition instructor (community college)
This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU Bloomington, IU Indianapolis, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast.
