Best Rhetoric & Composition MA Programs?

[Bennet]

I have a long list of schools that I'm looking at to get my MA in Rhetoric and Composition, and I want to narrow it down now that I'm going to start the application process. What are the most prestigious universities that are well known for their Rhetoric and Composition programs? I'm particularly interested in schools on the East Coast, and programs that gear their courses toward writing pedagogy. For instance, several schools have required courses such as "Issues in Composition Pedagogy" and "Teaching College Composition," which I want to be part of my curriculum, whereas others focus more on theory and literature and lack specific pedagogy courses.

Also, the opportunity of getting a Teaching Assistantship is a must. Thank you for your advice and suggestions!

[Cata]

Hi Bennet! I'm Catalina and I'm from Chile. Unfortunately, i can´t help you with your inquiry; however, i must say i'm sooo grateful i finally come across someone with such similar interests, and who's luckily not as lost as i am in this issue!! Thing is, I have a BA on English Language and Literature, i'm also a teacher of English as a foreign language... I'm quite interested in writing, especially in writing instruction for foreign learners (we're soooo behind in this matter, here!) That said, what i want to do now is exactly what you are looking for, according to your description. I had been looking at 2 programs, one in U. Mass and another one in Carnegie Mellon (like Master degrees) but i pretty much haven´t found anything else ...apparently, there are plenty of these programs in the US?? I would very much appreciate if you could send me a reply with some list of these places!

Thanks in advance!

Regards!

Catalina

[Cata]

Maybe you want to check this out...: http://suburbdad.blogspot.com/2008/05/ask-my-readers-composition-and-rhetoric.html

Hope it helps!

Catalina

[Minnesotan]

Pretty much anyone who's anyone in RhetComp is listed here, alphabetically from Arizona State to Washington State: http://associationdatabase.com/aws/RSA/pt/sp/resources_gradprograms

Contact information is provided.

[Cata]

Thanks a lot!

[Bennet]

Thanks, this all helped, but I've seen a lot of those colleges before and they're already on my list. I was interested in more of which of these schools have the best name for Rhetoric and Composition, but the more research I do, it seems that everyone says "it's difficult to judge" which is frustrating. If anyone finds anything else that indicates a sort of ranking of best rhetcomp schools please let me know, but otherwise thanks for the help so far.

[artist_lily]

Thanks, this all helped, but I've seen a lot of those colleges before and they're already on my list. I was interested in more of which of these schools have the best name for Rhetoric and Composition, but the more research I do, it seems that everyone says "it's difficult to judge" which is frustrating. If anyone finds anything else that indicates a sort of ranking of best rhetcomp schools please let me know, but otherwise thanks for the help so far.

Penn State is supposed to have one of the best Rhet/Comp programs in the country. I would definitely recommend checking out their Web site and program!

[Bennet]

Penn State is definitely at the top of my list, thanks for your feedback!

[Deb43]

Have you looked at San Diego State's MA in Rhetoric program? It's listed on the RSA (Rhetoric Society of America) website under Graduate Programs. I know two people who have gone there -- one's teaching comp at my community college and one is in a PHD program at Penn State.

[ComeBackZinc]

Consider this thread:

I attended the University of Rhode Island for my MA in Writing and Rhetoric and I adored it. A small program, but a true Writing department (separate from English) with a dedicated faculty in the specific area. The hire rate for their doctoral students is unblemished.

As far as big schools go, Purdue, Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, Syracuse, Michigan State, Arizona....

[JeremiahParadise]

Hi,

I'm not a student there, but I know that the University of New Hampshire has 100% placement rates for Comp/rhetoric PhD grads seeking tenure-track jobs. Maybe give them a look!

Jerry