MA in Teaching Writing
Program Overview
Teachers of all grades, from kindergarten to college, will encounter student writing at some level. It’s perhaps more important than ever to help learners of all ages develop skills and good habits related to the written word: The ability to write well and communicate clearly is valuable for success in nearly any profession today.
Designed for educators of any discipline, the MA in Teaching Writing program at Johns Hopkins builds on your existing teaching and writing skills while adding new methods to your toolbox. You’ll discover ideas for integrating writing into your classroom, find innovative ways to engage your students, and hone your own writing skills in the process.
What You Will Learn: Teaching Writing
Our program is rooted in helping your students through every stage of the writing process, from pre-writing to publishing. In addition to your core Teaching Writing course, you will explore how to read like a writer and dive deeper into teaching genres with classes such as:
- The Power of Story: Teaching and Writing Narrative
- Teaching Creative Writing
- Teaching and Writing Nonfiction
- Teaching Argument
Created with our diverse graduate students in mind, our selection of Teaching Writing electives includes a range of genres, grade levels, and teaching formats. Examples include:
- Teaching Writing Online
- Teaching Reluctant Writers
- Teaching Composition at the Community College Level
- Writing for Young Readers
- Writing Across the Curriculum
Live the Writing Life: Summer Residency
Our residency program brings our community together for seven to 10 days of sessions, workshops, readings, outings, receptions, and more. You’ll design and present mini-lessons, get feedback on your work, and have time to yourself to get personal writing done.
Sometimes our writing residencies are integrated with the JHU science writing and creative writing master’s programs, giving you a chance to connect to even more writers and faculty members.
Learn on Your Terms
Aside from our summer residency, the MA in Teaching Writing program is conducted entirely online. Your classes will be highly interactive and you will find plenty of support from your teachers and classmates.
What’s It Like to Study Teaching Writing at JHU?
Upcoming Events
Student Insights
MA in Teaching Writing students share their perspectives about the program:
Marisa Alger ’22
“I feel that that combination of coursework, combined with knowledgeable professors and a diverse population of peers, is what has made this the best decision for me.”
La Conya Hutchison ‘23
“I chose the Johns Hopkins program because I teach writing, and I felt ill-equipped to teach it. In the program we work together as a collaborative community to ensure that learning takes place, and that’s awesome.”
Michael Patterson ’23
“The faculty have been amazing. They’ve shown me new ways to integrate non-traditional methods of writing into my classroom and to help my students become better writers.”
Precious Layne
“The Johns Hopkins Teaching Writing program is affecting my career because now I am a better teacher, I’m a better educator, and I’m even a better listener because I teach writing.”
Why Study Teaching Writing at JHU
Surround yourself with other writers and teachers: Your classmates and faculty members understand that the best teachers of writing also write themselves.
Study With Professional Writers and Accomplished, Award-winning Teachers
Our faculty are accomplished teachers who have published novels, short stories, creative nonfiction, and poetry, as well as books and articles on teaching writing pedagogy. Many are in leadership positions with the National Writing Project, including as NWP site directors.
Grow Your Writing Community
Our program brings together teachers and writers from all backgrounds: full-time and adjunct professors, public and private school teachers in all subject areas, writing center directors, ELL teachers, and other professionals interested in teaching.
Travel Opportunities: Write on Location
Our summer residency rotates locations. You could write near our campuses in D.C. or Baltimore, on the rocky shores of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, near Acadia National Park, or in the mountains near Shenandoah National Park, or even Italy.
Wide Range of Courses and Electives
All courses are geared for teachers at all levels, K-University, in all disciplines. Our program encourages participants to learn from and teach each other, regardless of grade level or discipline—and provides the flexibility to adapt what you are learning to your own situations, needs, and interests.
Writing News
Take the Next Step
Help tomorrow’s leaders become better writers with the flexible, online Teaching Writing master's degree program from Johns Hopkins University.