Master of Arts Program
Requirements and recommendations for the MA program are listed below. Please take the time to read through the following notes before designing your own plan of study at UWM.
Notes:
- For the MA Program: Students will need a minimum of 24 credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree, plus a 3-credit master's project.
- Each student's program of study must be approved by a faculty advisor, the Plan G Coordinator, and the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies.
The M.A. degree at UWM involves course work, a master's project and an oral exam. All degree requirements must be completed within five years of initial enrollment. The project must be completed and the exam taken within one year after completing 24 credits.
6 credits in core courses in Theory and Research:
- English 712, Professional Writing Theory
- English 705, Professional Writing Research
3 credits in an 800-Seminar in Professional Writing or a related topic area approved by the advisor.
- English 855, Seminar in Theories of Business and Technical Writing is especially recommended.
12 credits in Professional Writing Practice or Pedagogy at the 700-level or 400- level with the approval of a Plan G faculty advisor. In this category, students can take no more than 6 credits of any combination of 400-level U/G courses and interdisciplinary courses.
The following courses are recommended for the Practice or Pedagogy category:
- 431, Topics in Advanced Writing
- 433, Creative Nonfiction
- 434, Editing and Publishing
- 439, Document Design
- 443, Grant Writing
- 444, Technical Editing
- 701, Teaching of Composition
- 706, Seminar in Professional Writing Theory and Pedagogy
- 707, Writing for Business Management
- 708, Advanced Professional and Technical Writing
- 709, Rhetoric, Writing, and Information Technology
- 710, Project Management for Professional Writers
- 711, Topics in Professional Writing
3 credits in an internship or a 700-level elective in Professional Writing that could lead to a final project
- Students should consult with their advisor about which option would best suit their background and career goals; in general, students with little workplace experience will take the internship and those with substantial workplace experience will take a 700-level elective.
Final Project
A research paper or other special project that will grow out of and significantly extend some aspect of the student's professional writing studies and will be appropriate to the student's professional goals.