Graduate students have the opportunity to teach a rigorous under the direct supervision of a leading senior composition scholar. Graduate students can also develop and teach a wide range of undergraduate courses in expository and creative writing, literature, and film studies. Many of our students serve as course coordinators and teacher mentors, acquiring experience in program administration, curriculum review, and teacher training.

Students draw on the UWM English Department’s strengths in the areas of modern studies, film and media studies, literary studies, linguistics, creative, and professional writing. UWM’s nationally recognized English faculty offer courses in related areas such as critical race theory, feminist theory, film and cultural studies, performance studies, Marxist theory, multicultural American literature, and professional writing. Students can also participate in the programs offered by UWM’s Center for 21st Century Studies, the Center for International Education, and the Cultures and Communities Program. Graduate students have presented at conferences including the Midwest Modern-Language Association, Conference on College Composition and Communication, Thomas R. Watson Conference on Rhetoric and Composition, Biennial Feminism(s) and Rhetoric(s) Conference, Conference of Writing Program Administrators, Midwest Writing Center Association, Midwest Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference, and the National Conference on Peer Tutoring and Writing.

UWM is also actively involved with the Milwaukee community, and our students and faculty participate in programs such as the Milwaukee Area English Alliance.

The Writing Center

Graduate students play a vital role in the Writing Center by shaping policy and by working as writing tutors and program consultants. The Center also serves graduate students by sponsoring dissertation support groups and peer tutoring at the graduate level. The Writing Center provides a rich environment for inquiry and research about writers and writing. Contact Director Margie Mika at mmika@uwm.edu.