Rhetoric and Composition (M.A.)
M.A. Rhetoric and Composition
Program Overview
The Texas State M.A.R.C. program ranks among the top nationwide, with award-winning faculty and a commitment to student success. Students develop unique programs of study combining foundational knowledge with focused study in areas ranging from minority and feminist rhetorics to digital literacies, writing for social justice, and writing center studies.
Course Work
The M.A. in rhetoric and composition requires 33 credit hours and includes both thesis and portfolio options. All students take core courses that provide a solid and shared foundation in theory, pedagogy, and research methods. Students choose electives to craft a degree program that meets their needs. Thesis students complete elective hours in rhetoric and composition, hours in a cognate, and thesis hours. Portfolio students complete elective hours in rhetoric and composition, hours in a cognate, and hours of directed portfolio course work.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.A. | Hours 33 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis (Portfolio) | Minor Option Cognate required | Location San Marcos |
Degree M.A. | Hours 33 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option Cognate required | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
Students present papers at regional and national conferences, win awards, and co-author articles with faculty. Graduates distinguish themselves as university writing teachers and professional writing specialists and pursue doctoral studies in top-tier universities.
Program Mission
The goal of the M.A.R.C. program is to immerse students in historical and contemporary conversations in rhetoric and composition and encourage them to use and contribute to these conversations as they serve the students' own interests and goals. The program is dedicated to students' success by mentoring and collaborating with them, encouraging professional development through workshops and networking, and providing a supportive environment for learning. In short, the program aims to expose students to the richness that is rhetoric and composition and to encourage them to find their own ways to add to this richness.
Career Options
The M.A.R.C. degree prepares students to:
- pursue writing careers in business, industry, and nonprofits
- teach writing in high school, community college, and university settings
- develop and administer writing programs and writing centers in these settings
- train teachers of writing
- enter doctoral programs in rhetoric and composition
Program Faculty
M.A.R.C. faculty members are united under the umbrella of rhetoric and composition and dedication to advocacy and activism, yet diversity is a major strength. Faculty specialize in unique facets of rhetoric and composition, including digital media, Latinx and feminist rhetorics, writing and empathy, and writing center studies, yet understand how these specialized interests intersect and diverge. Outside the program, faculty members hold high-profile positions in national organizations, serve on editorial boards of major journals, present papers at conferences, and publish actively in top-tier journals.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority January 15 January 15 Fall - Standard June 15 (*Flexible) June 1 Spring November 1 (*Flexible) October 1 Summer I April 15 (*Flexible) March 15 Summer II April 15 (*Flexible) No Admission *This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard August 1 June 1 Spring - Priority September 1 September 1 Spring - Standard November 1 October 1 Summer I - Priority January 1 January 1 Summer I - Standard May 1 March 15 Summer II - Priority January 1 No Admission Summer II - Standard June 1 No Admission
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in 12 or more hours of undergraduate English course work.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
- portfolio (submit the following items as a single PDF document):
- statement of purpose
- at least two non-fiction documents (combined minimum of 15 pages, double-spaced) consisting of at least one academic research paper written for an undergraduate or graduate course
- cover letter explaining when and for whom the submitted writing samples were written and discussing why they have been included as representative work.
- three letters of recommendation (Effective Fall 2025: two letters of recommendation)
Review important information about documents.
- portfolio (submit the following items as a single PDF document):