Advanced Certificate in Teaching Writing
The Advanced Certificate in the Teaching of Writing provides opportunities for teachers, scholars, and other professionals to expand their knowledge of rhetoric, expository texts, and composition instruction. It is particularly well suited for K–12 and community college Language Arts/English and composition teachers who wish to deepen their knowledge of traditional and contemporary rhetoric and writing instruction.
The Certificate allows students to select from a variety of classes in order to build a program that best suits their needs and interests. With courses such as RWS 600 Reading and Writing Rhetorically, RWS 601A History of Rhetoric, RWS 602 Modern Rhetoric and Composition Studies, and RWS 640 Research Methods in Rhetoric and Writing, the Certificate offers significant grounding in the history, theory, and research methods essential to the rhetorical tradition. RWS 509 Teaching Composition in Secondary Schools and RWS 609 Theory and Practice of Teaching Composition provide expertise in contemporary scholarship in teaching writing. Finally, an array of Linguistics courses enables students to acquire greater capacity in ESL instruction and language structure.
Applicants to the program must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The certificate adviser in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies is responsible for evaluating applications and advising students. Contact the Graduate Adviser with questions and for information on completing the "Permission to Enter an Advanced Certificate Program” form.
Students in the program must complete 12 units of coursework with a minimum of six units at the 600-level or above. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better must be maintained in certificate coursework, with no less than a C grade in any course.
Up to 12 units of coursework taken as part of the certificate program, with the approval of the graduate adviser, may be applied to the Master of Arts degree in rhetoric and writing studies with a specialization in the teaching of writing. The certificate can be earned concurrently by SDSU graduate students already enrolled in any MA program at SDSU.
- RWS 600 - Reading and Writing Rhetorically (3 units)
- RWS 509 - Teaching Composition in Secondary Schools (3 units) or RWS 609 - Theory and Practice of Teaching Composition (3 units)
See our course page for more information.
Three units selected from:
- LING 550 - Theory and Practice of English as a Second Language (3 units)
- LING 652 - Second Language Acquisition (3 units)
- LING 653 - ESL Reading and Writing (3 units)
Three units selected from:
- RWS 512 - Writing Center Practice, Research, and Theory (3 units)
- RWS 601A - History of Rhetoric I (3 units)
- RWS 602 - Modern Rhetoric and Composition Studies (3 units)
- RWS 640 - Research Methods in Rhetoric and WritingStudies (3 units)
See our course page for more information.
How to Apply
Students apply for the Advanced Certificate through Cal State Apply by December 1. Be sure to select Advanced Certificate in the Teaching of Writing (112299) as your major/program objective.
Although three (3) units may be taken through Open University before being a matriculated SDSU student), students must apply for, and become a matriculated (registered) SDSU student in order to complete the Advanced Certificate. The Advanced Certificate cannot be completed only through Open University.
If you have questions regarding Steps 1, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (619) 594-6336 or e-mail [email protected].
Must be received by January 17.
Complete the Advanced Certificate Teaching Writing program application through Interfolio.
Applicants will need to electronically submit:
- A letter stating their intention to apply for the Advanced Certificate Program to the Graduate Adviser. The application letter should include information about the student's academic degree and current work, along with a rationale for applying to the program.
- One Letter of Recommendation from an appropriate work or academic recommender.
NOTE: SDSU students already admitted to a graduate program do not have to apply through Interfolio. Instead, they should contact the Graduate Adviser for assistance in completing the "Request for Permission to Enter an Advanced Certificate Program."
Advising
Dr. Jennifer Sheppard
Office: Storm Hall West 103 | Phone: (619) 594-2696 | Email: [email protected]
Important Links
Class Schedule | SDSU University Catalog | Academic Calendar