The Gateway Writing Project has sponsored summer institutes and high-quality professional development serving hundreds of teachers since 1978. GWP is the official St. Louis site of the National Writing Project, which pioneered the concept of "Teachers Teaching Teachers." The National Writing Project has been described as "arguably the most successful teacher network in the United States" (Ann Lieberman, Carnegie Foundation, 2002).
At UMSL, the Gateway Writing Project is academically rooted in the Department of English and in the Division of Teaching and Learning. Through partnerships with Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis Public Schools, and many suburban school districts, GWP has reached K-12, college, and adult learners across the metropolitan area.
Graduates of the Gateway Writing Project have asked for a coherent program of study building on the experience of the summer institute and leading to a professional credential. Many are dissatisfied with workshops they see as superficial and degree programs they see as mere collections of courses.
To meet these needs, GWP has developed the Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing -- an 18 semester-hour program in English and Education that can be coordinated with a master's degree or pursued as a post-master's certificate.
Jointly housed in the Division of Teaching and Learning and the Department of English, GWP's Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing prepares teachers at all levels (K-12, college, adult) to improve their students' performance in writing. The program also emphasizes the value of writing to promote learning in all content areas. In all courses, the participants write, revise, share feedback, and reflect on their own writing development. Based on the National Writing Project's core belief that teachers of writing must themselves be writers, the GWP certificate brings together sound pedagogy, composition theory, and writing practice.
The Graduate Certificate is an 18-hour program offered through the Gateway Writing Project; it may also be coordinated with other graduate programs. Certificate courses may be applicable to the M.A. in English with emphasis in composition or to various M.Ed. programs. The GWP Certificate is especially appropriate for post-master's candidates who wish to pursue a specialization in teaching writing.
The Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing requires a 12 semester hour core of Gateway Writing Project courses: The GWP invitational institute (6 hrs.), a designated "topics" course (3 hrs.), and an exit course (3 hrs.). Electives (6 hrs.) may be chosen from approved offerings in English or in Education. The Certificate requires a minimum of 12 sem. hrs. at the 5000 or 6000 [400] level.
Electives (6 hours) may be chosen from other GWP offerings or from courses in an appropriate academic department with advisor's approval. Must include at least one more 5000-6000 level course.
- Electives applicable to an M.A. in English with writing emphasis
- Eng 5840 Theories of Writing
- Eng 5860 Writing/Reading Theory
- Eng 5870 Composition Research
- Eng 5890 Teaching College Writing
- Eng 5850 Studies in Composition
- Eng 5800 Modern Linguistics
- Electives applicable to an M.Ed. in Elementary or Secondary Education
- El Ed 6387 Literacy Acquisition . . .Urban Students
- SecEd 6430 Problems of Teaching English in Sec. School
- El Ed 6432 Problems & Research in Language Arts
- El Ed 6482 Problems & Research in Elementary Reading
- El Ed 6630 Communication Arts Instruction
- Ed REM 6714 Action Research in Education
- Courses in adult and higher education may also be approved
- Electives offered under Eng 4850/TchEd 5850 "Topics in the Teaching of Writing"
- Teaching Writing with Technology
- Writing to Promote and Assess Learning
- Improving Learning through Writing and Action Research
- Teaching Grammar in the Context of the Writing Process
- Becoming a Teacher Leader in Writing
- Teaching Science and Math through Writing
- Additional Topics offered or in development
- Teaching Business and Technical Writing
- Teaching Writing to the College-Bound Student
- Teaching Writing to Speakers of Other Languages
Candidates must be admitted to the Graduate School and by the faculty admissions committee for the Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing. The committee will consider applicants on the basis of an interview, two essays, and supporting documentation (see below). Criteria include experience teaching writing at any level and academic record, especially in writing and the teaching of writing. To apply:
Fill out the application and attach the following:
- Two essays: one describing yourself as a writer and one describing your approach to teaching writing. (Recent GWP Institute graduates may submit the same essays.)
- Letter of recommendation from a principal, department chair, or colleague. (Institute graduates may submit the same letter.)
- A recent resume.
Send your application materials to the Writing Project:
Diane Scollay, GWP Director
306 Tower, UMSL
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
Request official copies of transcripts to be sent to this address:
Graduate School Admissions Office
217 Millennium Student Center
UMSLOne University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
To obtain an application for graduate study, phone (314) 516-5458, visit Graduate Admissions in 217 MSC or go online.
Applications are reviewed by the GWP Certificate Committee as they are received, year-round, and applicants are contacted for a personal interview. Each new participant then meets with a faculty member for an advising conference, program planning, and course selection.
Questions? Contact Diane Scollay ay (314) 516-5578.
Gateway Writing Project 
