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M.A. in Professional Writing and Editing

Professional writers do more than simply translate complex, technical information into easy-to-read prose. Professional writers assess the information needs of audiences from different languages and cultural backgrounds, and analyze how written texts circulate through the organizations in which they work. Professional writers possess the critical, rhetorical and technical knowledge necessary to produce successful and effective communications.

The M.A. in Professional Writing and Editing (PWE) combines theories of writing and practice in these real-world writing situations. You will study professional writing theory, rhetoric, editing, new modes of digital composition, and writing ethics over 30 credit hours. This program prepares you for a variety of career options, including technical writing and editing, project management, writing consulting, writing instruction, and advanced graduate study in rhetoric and composition. It is designed for recent graduates and full-time professionals seeking more training in writing and editing.

Graduate Catalog Description   Graduate Student Handbook

MA in PWE Program Goals

The program is designed to enable students to achieve the following goals:

  • Recognize and evaluate a variety of ethical, social, legal, and political values intertwined in the production and consumption of technical communications.
  • Analyze the uses and applications of new communication technologies.
  • Acquire historical and critical understanding of rhetorical theories and practices.
  • Master a variety of research and analytical methods, especially as these apply to the study and practical application of oral, written, and visual communication in professional contexts.
  • Acquire a practical and theoretical understanding of workplace dynamics including client relations and project management skills.