Composition and Rhetoric Graduate Certificate
If you already hold a master's and need the graduate writing credits to teach Ohio College Credit Plus composition, this 19-credit, fully online certificate is built for you.
Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Composition and Rhetoric from Shawnee State University Online Campus equips licensed teachers with the qualifications they need to teach college-level writing through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program. Designed specifically for educators who already hold a master's degree (e.g., M.Ed.) but lack graduate coursework in composition and rhetoric, this 19-credit program provides focused instruction without requiring a second master’s degree.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
Admission Requirements
Before applying for the online Graduate Certificate in Composition and Rhetoric, you must have:
- Transcripts from all institutions previously attended
- A bachelor's degree in English, English Education, or a related field, along with a master's degree preferably
At A Glance
Composition and Rhetoric Graduate Certificate
Degree
Certificate
Length
About 15 months (varies by pacing)
Credits
19
Class Size
12:1
Start Date
4 entry points; Summer A is the ideal start time. Students may also start in Summer B, Fall A, and Spring A; next start Spring A: January 11, 2027
Why Study Composition and Rhetoric Graduate Certificate at Shawnee University
Meets the credentialing requirement to teach College Credit Plus composition in Ohio without requiring a second master's degree.
100% online, asynchronous— designed around teaching schedules.
Not padded out with extras— focused entirely on the 19 graduate credits in writing and rhetoric you actually need.
Coursework taught by composition studies scholars with classroom experience.
Stackable — credits can support further graduate study if you decide to pursue the full M.A. later.
The 19-credit certificate is built around seven graduate-level courses in composition and rhetoric: introduction to graduate studies in the field, composition pedagogy, writing assessment, history of rhetoric, history and theory of composition, research methods, and a special topics course.
- RHET 6000 – Introduction to Graduate Studies in Composition and Rhetoric
- RHET 6615 – Composition Pedagogy
- RHET 6620 – Writing Assessment Theory and Practice
- RHET 6625 – History of Rhetoric
- RHET 6645 – History and Theory of Composition
- RHET 6800 – Research Methods in Composition and Rhetoric
- RHET 6999 – Special Topics in Composition and Rhetoric
Coursework is grounded in applied writing instruction — assessment design, pedagogy, and research methods you can take back into the classroom. The certificate is built to translate directly to your teaching practice.
- Apply composition and rhetoric theory to classroom instruction
- Design effective writing assignments and assess student writing
- Understand the historical and theoretical foundations of rhetoric and composition
- Use research methods to inform teaching practice
- Qualify to teach dual-credit / college-level writing in Ohio (verify with your district)
100% online, asynchronous — complete coursework from anywhere.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Composition and Rhetoric Graduate Certificate Frequently Asked Questions
Licensed secondary teachers who already hold a master's degree and want to qualify to teach dual-credit or college-level composition courses.
Yes — all coursework is delivered 100% online in an asynchronous format.
Most students finish in about 15 months, though pacing depends on course availability and your workload.
Yes. The certificate provides the 19 graduate credit hours required for CCP certification in Scioto, Pike, Adams, Lawrence, Jackson, and Ross counties; confirm with your home district.
Program handbook
For program details and current handbook, contact jfarmer@shawnee.edu or call Shawnee State Online Enrollment Support at (855) 815-0323.
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This program supports qualifications to teach College Credit Plus courses in Ohio.
