To be considered for admission to the master’s program in Digital Rhetoric & Professional Writing, or Critical Studies in Literacy & Pedagogy, you will need to provide the following documents:

1. A completed Application for Graduate Study, along with a check or money order to cover the application fee. The application form is available at http://grad.msu.edu/apply/. You are strongly encouraged to apply online. (There is a separate application form for international applicants.) NOTE: At the “Academic and Personal Statement” prompt on the application form, please write “see attached” or “statement sent to program” and substitute the personal statement specified below; make sure this specific statement is included in the materials sent directly to the R & W program. (The MSU application code for DRPW is 5601, for CSLP is 5643.)
   
2. One copy of each transcript from each college or university that you have attended. Transcripts should be sent directly from the Office of the Registrar at each institution you have attended to the Rhetoric and Writing program. (Transcripts of work taken at MSU need not be requested.)
   
3. A curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé.
   
4. A personal statement that addresses your goals in pursuing an MA degree in either Digital Rhetoric & Professional Writing or in Critical Studies in Literacy and Pedagogy at MSU, sent directly to the R & W program. The Graduate Committee wants to know: Why do you want to pursue this degree at MSU? What interests, qualifications, and, most importantly, professional goals of yours will be served by completion of this degree? How do you see the program at MSU specifically helping you to meet those goals?
   
5. At least two writing samples showing two different styles or genres of writing. For both MA programs, at least one sample should be a single-authored academic paper showing your ability to do a sustained critical analysis, research, review, or evaluation (ideally, from an upper-division course). For the MA in DR&PW, the other sample could demonstrate your abilities as a professional/technical writer, as an editor, as a page designer, or as a developer of digital information (e.g., multimedia products, web sites). You can submit digital samples as well as print ones (e.g., a web URL or a CD).
   
6. Three letters of recommendation from professionals in a position to evaluate your potential for graduate study. At least one letter, ideally two, should come from former faculty members (or instructors) who can address your qualifications for academic course work at the graduate level and also your skills as a professional writer, or as a potential teacher if you are applying for the MA in CSLP. (If you have taken rhetoric or professional writing courses, it is most helpful to have letters from your instructors in those courses.) Ask your recommenders to use the MSU Graduate School Recommendation Form (PDF) as a cover sheet for their letters –> http://grad.msu.edu/apply/docs/recommendation.pdf.

MA Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program on regular status, an applicant must:

• have a baccalaureate degree in humanities, writing, communications, English, or a related field;
• have completed a minimum of 18 semester credits in humanities, writing, English, or communications-related fields beyond the 100 level with a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Admissions decisions are made by the Rhetoric & Writing Graduate Advisory Committee. Applicants who do not meet the criteria stated above may be admitted provisionally. Conditions for regular admission, including the completion of collateral coursework, must be satisfied during the first year of study.

The Rhetoric and Writing Program has two different admission application deadlines for MA applicants: one, Dec. 15th for funding; another, May 1st, without funding.

Questions?
Please direct all general questions regarding admissions, or inquiries about the PhD program, to Prof. Bill Hart-Davidson, Director of Rhetoric & Writing, 235C Bessey Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1047, 517.355.2400, hartdav2@msu.edu.

For information and questions about the Digital Rhetoric & Professional Writing MA Program, contact Prof. Jon Monberg, Assistant Director for MA in DRPW, 7 Olds Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1047, 517.355.2400, jmonberg@msu.edu.

For information and questions about the Critical Studies in Literacy and Pedagogy MA program, contact Prof. Ellen Cushman, Assistant Director for MA in CSLP, 235 Bessey Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1047, 517.355.2400, cushmane@msu.edu.

International applicants are advised to complete application as early as possible to allow time for processing of visas and other documents. See http://grad.msu.edu/apply/ for additional information.