The English
education programat
WMU sponsors two graduate programs: a Master's (MATE) and a Ph.D.
(Theory and Practice in the Teaching of English).
M.A.in English with an
Emphasis
in Teaching (MATE).
MATE students can expect to take coursework
that
will directly affect their teaching as elementary,middle school, or
secondary
teachers. They will also gain intensive study in writing, literature,
and
literacy theory and pedagogy. Many MATE students also become part of
the Third Coast Writing Project.
Most of our MATE students are teachers in high
schools and middle schools throughout West Michigan. Others come to WMU
full-time and receive teaching assistantships.
Recent MATE students and graduates have
presented work at
conferences such as the National Council of Teachers of English,
National
Writing Project, Conference on College Composition and Communication,
and Michigan Council of Teachers of English. They have also published
work in the English Journal,
the Language Arts Journal of Michigan,
and the NWP Quarterly.
Ph.D. in English
(Emphasis
in Theory and Practice in the Teaching of English)
The Ph.D. program is designed to
serve the
needs of practicing teachers seeking an advanced degree or experienced
teachers
looking to become scholars and teachers of English language arts
teacher
education.
Our program is
nationally-prominent for producing outstanding English language arts
teacher educators. In addition to intensive coursework, our Ph.D.
students also teach 'methods' courses for our large and well-developed
undergraduate program. Our graduates are well-prepared for an academic
appointment in English education at a 4-year institution.
Our recent graduates include Lisa Eckert Schade, an
assistant professor of English and Curriculum & Instruction at
Purdue University, West Lafayette, and Robert Rozema, who is currently
assistant professor of English Education at Grand Valley State
University.
Another
recent graduate, Melinda
Dobson, teaches part-time for WMU while raising her family.
Graduate
and Doctoral Assistantships
are available. See the WMU Department of English
Graduate
Programs information for details.
