Writing Theory & Practice Certificate
Participants in the Graduate Certificate for Writing Theory and Practice for In-Service Teachers will learn the theory and practice of college composition instruction. This 18-credit graduate certificate prepares middle and high school teachers for teaching college composition through dual enrollment by combining coursework in theory and practice from the field of Writing Studies. This program is designed for all forms of dual enrollment instruction, including AP courses, College Now, Willamette Promise, etc. At the same time, teachers will work on developing and/or refining their own voices as writers and assemble a capstone portfolio of materials for teaching writing. Whether currently teaching dual enrollment or considering it in the future, this certificate will enhance teachers’ knowledge about writing theory and best practices in writing instruction which will benefit all our students.
Start your certificate program this summer!
credits required
Program Details
Overview
This certificate helps you:
- Feel confident that you’re giving your students the best possible writing experience
- Learn cutting-edge strategies for teaching writing
- Get back in touch with your own writing so that you can spready that joy to students
- Gain a credential to enhance your marketability as a teacher and writer
To start, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Desire to further your professional career
- Recommended 3 years of teaching experience
Licensing Recommended:
- Those holding a teaching license or in a licensure pathway will be given first consideration
Finishing will take:
- Completion of 18 credits (including 2-credit capstone)
- Courses completed over two summers
Begin your Certificate program:
- Summer term
Where you will take classes:
- Online, asynchronous delivered summer only
Tech you will need:
- Computer with internet connection
- Video conferencing capability (e.g., Skype)
Where this program can take you:
With a completed certificate, you will be:
- A qualified dual enrollment instructor who meets the minimum credit requires of most accreditind bodies (HLC, HECC);
- Eligible to teach courses at the community college level; and
- Inspired to change how writing is taught in your classroom.
What you will learn:
Participants in the Graduate Certificate for Writing Theory and Practice for In-Service Teachers will learn the theory and practice of college composition instruction. This 18-credit graduate certificate prepares middle and high school teachers for teaching college composition through dual enrollment by combining coursework in theory and practice from the field of Writing Studies. This program is designed for all forms of dual enrollment instruction, including AP courses, College Now, Willamette Promise, etc. At the same time, teachers will work on developing and/or refining their own voices as writers and assemble a capstone portfolio of materials for teaching writing. Whether currently teaching dual enrollment or considering it in the future, this certificate will enhance teachers’ knowledge about writing theory and best practices in writing instruction which will benefit all our students.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze key writing instruction theories from the fields of Rhetoric and Composition and Linguistics;
- Apply theories of writing instruction to the creation of pedagogical materials;
- Reflect critically on your own practices as writers and teachers;
- Engage in inquiry projects exploring varied aspects of writing instruction in the classroom; and
- Effectively instruct and guide students in college-level writing.
Application Requirements
Deadlines and key dates:
You may apply to the program any term to start the program during the summer term.
Detailed application requirements:
Application materials required for WOU Graduate admission:
- Application Fee $60
- Transcripts
- You can upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to complete your application for admission. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in time from all previous colleges. We will require an official transcript from the Colleges or Universities you have attended for formal admission.
- Transcripts are used as Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived. Students with less than 3.0 can also provide passing MAT/GRE scores to be fully admitted.
Process: Applications will be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. Please refer to the Application Checklist in your Graduate Application Portal to confirm the status of your submitted materials. The Graduate Application Portal will also provide additional details about the checklist items for further clarification. You will be notified via email regarding changes in the status of your application or if you are missing any application components.
After meeting university requirements, applicants must meet in person with their advisor to sign the Writing Theory & Practice for In-Service Teachers Certificate.
Curriculum
Writing Certificate curriculum overview:
Courses in this certificate will enhance the theory and practice of writing instruction at all levels, particularly at the college level. Coursework will address the challenges facing dual enrollment instructors at the middle and high school levels and prepare teachers to deliver rigorous and engaging college-level material.
Your plan of study:
Once admitted to your Graduate Writing Certificate program, you will work with an advisor to plan the courses you will take and how you will complete the academic requirements of the program. By filing this Program Plan (PDF form), you have a road map for completing your certificate and clarity on what to expect.
*Students completing an endorsement, certificate, or specialization only are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Core Courses
- LING 550 Linguistic Analysis of Style and Genre Credits: 4
- WR 530 Teachers as Writers Credits: 4
- WR 540 Writing Theory and Pedagogy Credits: 4
- WR 596 Special Topics in Writing Credits: 4
- WR 600 Writing Portfolio Capstone Credits: 2
Faculty
LEIGH GRAZIANO
Director of First-Year Writing, Associate Professor, English Studies Department
503-838-9360 | grazianol@wou.edu | MA 311
DAMIAN KOSHNICK
NTT Visiting Assistant Professor, Writing, English Studies Department
503-838-9438 | koshnickd@wou.edu | BELL 321
KATHERINE SCHMIDT
Director of Writing Center; Professor, English Studies Department
503-838-8234 | schmidtk@wou.edu | APSC 301
LARS SODERLUND
Department Chair, Associate Professor, Writing, English Studies Department
503-838-8325 | soderlundl@wou.edu | BELL 309
ROBERT TROYER
Professor of Linguistics, English Studies Department
503-838-9123 | troyerr@wou.edu | BELL 301
This certificate helps you:
- Feel confident that you’re giving your students the best possible writing experience
- Learn cutting-edge strategies for teaching writing
- Get back in touch with your own writing so that you can spready that joy to students
- Gain a credential to enhance your marketability as a teacher and writer
To start, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Desire to further your professional career
- Recommended 3 years of teaching experience
Licensing Recommended:
- Those holding a teaching license or in a licensure pathway will be given first consideration
Finishing will take:
- Completion of 18 credits (including 2-credit capstone)
- Courses completed over two summers
Begin your Certificate program:
- Summer term
Where you will take classes:
- Online, asynchronous delivered summer only
Tech you will need:
- Computer with internet connection
- Video conferencing capability (e.g., Skype)
Where this program can take you:
With a completed certificate, you will be:
- A qualified dual enrollment instructor who meets the minimum credit requires of most accreditind bodies (HLC, HECC);
- Eligible to teach courses at the community college level; and
- Inspired to change how writing is taught in your classroom.
What you will learn:
Participants in the Graduate Certificate for Writing Theory and Practice for In-Service Teachers will learn the theory and practice of college composition instruction. This 18-credit graduate certificate prepares middle and high school teachers for teaching college composition through dual enrollment by combining coursework in theory and practice from the field of Writing Studies. This program is designed for all forms of dual enrollment instruction, including AP courses, College Now, Willamette Promise, etc. At the same time, teachers will work on developing and/or refining their own voices as writers and assemble a capstone portfolio of materials for teaching writing. Whether currently teaching dual enrollment or considering it in the future, this certificate will enhance teachers’ knowledge about writing theory and best practices in writing instruction which will benefit all our students.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze key writing instruction theories from the fields of Rhetoric and Composition and Linguistics;
- Apply theories of writing instruction to the creation of pedagogical materials;
- Reflect critically on your own practices as writers and teachers;
- Engage in inquiry projects exploring varied aspects of writing instruction in the classroom; and
- Effectively instruct and guide students in college-level writing.
Deadlines and key dates:
You may apply to the program any term to start the program during the summer term.
Detailed application requirements:
Application materials required for WOU Graduate admission:
- Application Fee $60
- Transcripts
- You can upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to complete your application for admission. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in time from all previous colleges. We will require an official transcript from the Colleges or Universities you have attended for formal admission.
- Transcripts are used as Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived. Students with less than 3.0 can also provide passing MAT/GRE scores to be fully admitted.
Process: Applications will be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. Please refer to the Application Checklist in your Graduate Application Portal to confirm the status of your submitted materials. The Graduate Application Portal will also provide additional details about the checklist items for further clarification. You will be notified via email regarding changes in the status of your application or if you are missing any application components.
After meeting university requirements, applicants must meet in person with their advisor to sign the Writing Theory & Practice for In-Service Teachers Certificate.
Writing Certificate curriculum overview:
Courses in this certificate will enhance theory and practice of writing instruction at all levels, but particularly at the college level. Coursework will address the challenges facing dual enrollment instructors at the middle and high school level and prepare teachers to deliver rigorous and engaging college level material.
Your plan of study:
Once admitted to your Graduate Writing Certificate program , you will work with an advisor to plan the courses you will take and how you will complete the academic requirements of the program. By filing this Program Plan (PDF form), you have a road map for completing your certificate and clarity on what to expect.
*Students completing an endorsement, certificate, or specialization only are not eligible for federal financial aid.
LEIGH GRAZIANO
Director of First-Year Writing, Associate Professor, English Studies Department
503-838-9360 | grazianol@wou.edu | MA 311
DAMIAN KOSHNICK
NTT Visiting Assistant Professor, Writing, English Studies Department
503-838-9438 | koshnickd@wou.edu | BELL 321
KATHERINE SCHMIDT
Director of Writing Center; Professor, English Studies Department
503-838-8234 | schmidtk@wou.edu | APSC 301
LARS SODERLUND
Department Chair, Associate Professor, Writing, English Studies Department
503-838-8325 | soderlundl@wou.edu | BELL 309
ROBERT TROYER
Professor of Linguistics, English Studies Department
503-838-9123 | troyerr@wou.edu | BELL 301
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Courses for the Writing Certificate Program
Course Descriptions
- LING 550 Linguistic Analysis of Style and Genre Credits: 4
- WR 530 Teachers as Writers Credits: 4
- WR 540 Writing Theory and Pedagogy Credits: 4
- WR 596 Special Topics in Writing Credits: 4
- WR 600 Writing Portfolio Capstone Credits: 2
