• Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    20
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $320.00
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $450.00

Language and Literature

Graduate Certificate

How you benefit

The IU Online Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature provides training in the core principles of writing and literature. Learn to teach students how to craft sound arguments using close attention to logic, context, and audience. Develop a fluency with the current debates, schools, and theories of writing instruction.

What you study

Specific areas of focus include: 

  • Contemporary theory on the pedagogy of composition and literature 
  • Linguistic structures and history of the English language
  • Reading strategies and literary analysis, with attention to close reading, style, form, genre, and rhetorical practices
  • Approaches to composition and writing instruction, including the identification and evaluation of sources, use of evidence, generation of ideas, and the development and organization of argument
  • Fostering discussion and developing presentation skills in a seminar setting
  • Developing archival research skills and facility with electronic resources
  • Developments, trends, and frontiers in the digital humanities

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU Bloomington, IUPUI, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. 

See courses that are being offered this semester. 

Download a printable PDF summary of all our graduate programs for teachers.

The Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature is ideal for those who want to teach dual-credit courses and who need to meet Higher Learning Commission dual-credit qualification standards. These standards require teachers wanting to teach dual-credit courses to hold either a master's degree in their area of instruction or a master's degree in another discipline (such as education), plus at least 18 credit hours of discipline-specific graduate coursework.

  • If you hold a master's degree in another discipline, you can meet HLC standards by completing the 20 credit hour Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature. 
  • If you plan to pursue the IU Online MA in English or the IU Online Master of Liberal Studies, you may apply the 20 credit hours from the Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature toward the master's degree.

Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature prepares you for such careers as: 

  • Composition and/or literature dual-credit teacher (high school) 
  • Composition and/or literature instructor (community college)

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature, you must complete a total of 20 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows: 

  • Language and literature core courses (16 credit hours)
  • Language and literature elective course (4 credit hours)

NOTE: If you choose to pursue the IU Online MA in English or the IU Online Master of Liberal Studies, these certificate courses may apply to ("stack into") your degree requirements. Admission to the Certificate in Language and Literature does not constitute admission into any of the face-to-face graduate programs in English at the participating campuses.

To be accepted to this program, you must have:
  1. A bachelor's degree

    To enroll in this program, you must possess either a BA in English (or related bachelor's degree in education with an English specialization, concentration, or outside area) or two years of secondary teaching experience in literature or composition classes.

  2. 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes:
  • Official transcripts
  • 250-word personal statement explaining background and reasons for entering the program
  • TOEFL scores (international students only) 
Application Dates

Fall semester: Aug 1

Spring semester: Jan 1

Summer 1 semester: May 1

Summer 2 semester: Jun 15

Core
ENG-D 600 –or– ENG-G 655History of the English Language4 Credits
ENG-W 509 –or– ENG-W 500Writing and Literacy Studies –or– Teaching Composition: Issues & Approaches4 Credits

ENG-W 600

-or-

ENG-W 682

-or-

ENG-W 508

-or-

ENG-W 554

Topics in Rhetoric & Composition

-or-

Special Topics: Rhetoric & Composition

-or-

Creative Writing for Teachers

-or-

Practicum Teaching of Creative Writing

4 Credits
ENG-L 503Teaching Literature in College4 Credits

Elective

ENG-L 500/600Any ENG-L or advisor-approved course4 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $320.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $960.00
Note: 

Additional fees will apply.


-This program is ineligible for financial aid. 

Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $450.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1350.00
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