George Mason's doctoral program in Writing and Rhetoric offers a curriculum that emphasizes theoretical, practical, and productive approaches to writing in organizations and in public spaces. Our program is built on the premise that writing and teaching in twenty-first century organizations requires the rigorous, integrated study of rhetoric, technology, culture, and research methodologies. Our courses prepare students for rhetorical and pedagogical work in
Graduates will help meet the increasing national demand for faculty in rhetoric and composition to teach and lead programs in areas such as writing program administration, writing across the curriculum, technical communication, and media studies. Industry and government also need professionals to conduct research, manage development, and analyze policy in the use of new communication technologies. Our program will prepare students to write, research, and teach with a deeper understanding of the intellectual and administrative tools that can enhance the work they do within industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and public schools.
Consider the following guidelines when preparing your application:
GRE scores are not required for application to the program, but you have the opportunity to include them if you wish to present them as part of your application package. GRE scores are required for certain fellowships and other opportunities within the University, so they are required to be considered for those opportunities.
Current tuition and fees information is available on the Student Accounts Office website. GMU current assesses a new graduate student fee of $60 — this is not the same as the application fee.
Students with GRA appointments are expected to support faculty research. Full-time GRAs are expected to work 20 hours per week and can receive up to 12 credits of tuition waiver; half time GRAs, working 10 hours a week, receive up to 6 credits.
We will be working with several different units on campus to secure GRA positions applicable to the work of our program — more information about these opportunities will be disseminated to current students via the program listserv.
The main form of support for our program for full time students comes through teaching assistantships. Students who are awarded a teaching assistantship will have the opportunity to teach ENGH 101 (Composition) and/or ENGH 302 (Advanced Composition); other advanced writing courses may also be available.
Teaching assistantships are guaranteed for three years in duration and require a 1-2 teaching load in the first year and a 2-2 load in subsequent years. The current GTA stipend is $12,600 per academic year. The English Department does not provide summer teaching opportunities for GTAs.
Assistantships include a tuition waiver of 18 graduate credits per year. TAs must register for a minimum of six credit hours per semester.
Students wishing to qualify for a Teaching Assistantship who have not already completed a graduate course in composition pedagogy as part of their previous study will be required to complete the following course before the start date of their assistantship, and to meet all other university and SACS requirements for instructors of record. This course can count as an elective in the primary or secondary concentration.
Fellowships are monetary awards made to the highest qualified students; a limited number of Presidential Fellowships are available for students in our program. The Presidential fellowship requires awardees to take three courses per semester and students are not permitted to teach courses as part of the fellowship program.
Full-time and part-time employees at George Mason are eligible for partial tuition exemption as a benefit of employment (see below). Students are eligible to apply for wage positions at the university. These positions offer the benefit of allowing the student to work and pursue study at the same location, but do not carry tuition benefits. For more information, see to the Student Wage section of the Human Resources web site.