College Writing: Theory and Practice

Career opportunities

The college writing: theory and practice graduate certificate prepares educators to teach and support writing at the college level. The program deepens your background in composition theory, writing pedagogy and research-informed teaching practices.

The certificate builds credentials for teaching college composition. It supports writing across disciplines and continuing graduate study in English, rhetoric or writing studies. It also benefits professionals in writing instruction, curriculum development, editing and communication training. Educators preparing to teach dual enrollment writing courses will find the program particularly relevant.

Curriculum

The 18-credit program can be completed entirely online. The curriculum includes six graduate courses: 

• 4 required courses in college writing theory and pedagogy 
• 2 electives selected from approved online English courses

Coursework focuses on the research, theories and practices that shape effective college writing instruction. You’ll study:

• Composition pedagogy
• Graduate-level writing and current approaches to teaching it
• Grammar in the context of writing
• Approaches to designing writing curricula for specific teaching contexts

Required courses

Flexible certificate options

The college writing: theory and practice graduate certificate can be completed as a stand-alone credential or paired with another BGSU graduate degree. This flexibility allows you to build focused expertise in writing instruction while pursuing academic or professional goals in English, education, communication or another related field.

Students may:

• Complete the certificate on its own
• Apply credits toward the M.A. in English at BGSU
• Complete the certificate alongside another graduate degree

With permission from their original graduate degree program, students in programs outside of English may also earn the certificate as a complementary credential.