Master of Arts in Writing
The Master of Arts in Writing from the 海角社区 is a 36-semester-hour program offering courses in creative writing, technical writing, grant writing, document design, and publishing, as well as composition theory. Through this degree, you will gain deep experience in the types of writing required in today’s professional, academic, technical, and creative communities. In addition to coursework, many students participate in paid writing internships which provide real-world experience and contacts to build a bridge to their writing careers.
Three track options are available for the writing master’s program:
Specialize in the technical communication used in a variety of fields including aeronautics, robotics, finance, and HCI/UX.
Further your study of writing, research, and writing instruction, especially if you plan to pursue teaching or further academic study.
Hone your writing craft in fiction, creative non-fiction,and/or poetry. Also expand your options for professional writing in areas such as copywriting and creative content writing for a variety of platforms.
Time to Complete
Variable, but as few as 2 years
Modality Offered
100% Online , some electives on campus
Credentials
MA
Why North Alabama?
The Master of Arts in Writing Curriculum
Concentrations
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Component | ||
EN 539 | Technical Editing | 3 |
EN 545W | Multimodal Writing | 3 |
EN 615W | Technical Writing | 3 |
EN 694W | Directed Final Project | 3-6 |
EN 695 | Thesis Defense | 0 |
Elective Component | ||
Select 18 - 21 credits from the following: | 18-21 | |
Students who complete only 3 hours of EN 694W are required to complete 21 elective hours | ||
EN 534W
|
Language and Gender | |
EN 540W
|
Grant Writing | |
EN 542
|
Survey of Grammar | |
EN 572W
|
Rhetoric: Argument and Style | |
EN 575W
|
Literacy, Culture, and Writing | |
EN 595W
|
Selected Topics in Writing | |
EN 609W
|
Rhetorical Theory and Culture | |
EN 625W
|
Document Design | |
EN 635W
|
Publishing Practicum | |
EN 641
|
English Linguistics | |
EN 660W
|
Writing Internship | |
EN 691W
|
Selected Seminar in Writing | |
EN 697
|
Independent Study | |
Total Hours | 33 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Component | ||
EN 609W | Rhetorical Theory and Culture | 3 |
EN 610W | Composition Theory | 3 |
EN 616 | Composition Pedagogies | 3 |
or EN 575W | Literacy, Culture, and Writing | |
EN 690 | Thesis | 3-6 |
EN 695 | Thesis Defense | 0 |
Elective Component | ||
Select 18-21credits from the following: | 18-21 | |
Students who complete only 3 hours of EN 690 are required to complete 21 elective hours | ||
EN 534W
|
Language and Gender | |
EN 535W
|
Writing Protest and Dissent | |
EN 539
|
Technical Editing | |
EN 540W
|
Grant Writing | |
EN 541
|
History of the English Language | |
EN 542
|
Survey of Grammar | |
EN 545W
|
Multimodal Writing | |
EN 566
|
Sociolinguistics | |
EN 572W
|
Rhetoric: Argument and Style | |
EN 575W
|
Literacy, Culture, and Writing | |
EN 595W
|
Selected Topics in Writing | |
EN 615W
|
Technical Writing | |
EN 616
|
Composition Pedagogies (*if not taken in required component) | |
EN 617
|
Writing Technologies | |
EN 625W
|
Document Design | |
EN 635W
|
Publishing Practicum | |
EN 641
|
English Linguistics | |
EN 645W
|
Seminar in Creative Writing | |
EN 660W
|
Writing Internship | |
EN 691W
|
Selected Seminar in Writing | |
EN 697
|
Independent Study | |
Total Hours | 33 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Component | ||
EN 555W | Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction and Drama | 3 |
or EN 556W | Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry and Creative Non-fiction | |
EN 690 | Thesis | 3-6 |
EN 695 | Thesis Defense | 0 |
And 15 hours from: | 15 | |
EN 555W
|
Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction and Drama | |
EN 556W
|
Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry and Creative Non-fiction | |
EN 595W
|
Selected Topics in Writing (*may be repeated for credit) | |
EN 645W
|
Seminar in Creative Writing (*may be repeated for credit) | |
EN 657
|
Creative Writing Pedagogy | |
EN 658W
|
Creative Writing Craft (*may be repeated for credit) | |
EN 659W
|
Creative Writing Genre (*may be repeated for credit) | |
Elective Component | ||
Select 9-12 credits from the following: | 9-12 | |
Students who complete only 3 hours of EN 690 are required to take 12 elective hours | ||
EN 534W
|
Language and Gender | |
EN 535W
|
Writing Protest and Dissent | |
EN 542
|
Survey of Grammar | |
EN 544W
|
Grant Writing for the Creative Writer | |
EN 564
|
The Contemporary American Novel | |
EN 565
|
Contemporary Poetry | |
EN 555W
|
Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction and Drama (if not taken in required component) | |
EN 556W
|
Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry and Creative Non-fiction (if not taken in required component) | |
EN 595W
|
Selected Topics in Writing (*if not taken in 15 hour requirement options) | |
EN 625W
|
Document Design | |
EN 645W
|
Seminar in Creative Writing (*if not taken as 15 hour requirement option) | |
EN 657
|
Creative Writing Pedagogy (*if not taken as 15 hour requirement option) | |
EN 658W
|
Creative Writing Craft (*if not taken as 15 hour requirement option) | |
EN 659W
|
Creative Writing Genre (*if not taken as 15 hour requirement option ) | |
EN 660W
|
Writing Internship | |
EN 691W
|
Selected Seminar in Writing | |
EN 697
|
Independent Study | |
Any graduate level course, with program coordinator's approval | ||
Total Hours | 33 |
Faculty
The Master of Arts in Writing program at the 海角社区 is taught by a vibrant and dedicated group of faculty members, with real-world experiences, academic achievements, and publishing credits.
The faculty dedicated to the on-campus and online writing master’s program include:
, PhD, Assistant Professor
Daryl Brown, Professor
, PhD, Assistant Professor
Pam Kingsbury, Senior Instructor
Kelly Latchaw, PhD, Assistant Professor
Nick Mauriello, PhD, Professor, Program Coordinator, MA in Writing
Jason McCall, Assistant Professor
Cheryl Price, PhD, English Dept. Chair, Associate Professor
Tammy Winner, PhD, Professor
What can I do with a Master of Arts in Writing?
Testimonial
"Through the close mentorship of my professors, 海角社区’s MA in Writing program allowed me to turn my passion into my career. 海角社区 provided me with a highly developed skillset, diverse portfolio, successful thesis project, and the confidence to land my dream job before I even graduated. Now, my studies in technical writing are helping me to send humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond working as a technical writer at NASA! The sky isn’t even the limit."
Taylor Goodwin
Technical Editor II | ASRC Federal
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Admissions Requirements
Admission into the on-campus or online Master of Arts in Writing program at North Alabama includes the following requirements:
Unconditional Admission:
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- At this time, the GRE or other test scores have been suspended.
- Three letters of recommendation.
-
A writing sample of approximately 10 pages, which can include multiple pieces in several different genres.
Conditional Admission:
Applicants who satisfy all requirements for unconditional admission except for the minimum scholastic (grade) requirement but who have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) may be admitted on conditional status subject to attainment of grades which include no more than three semester hours of C and no grades lower than C on the first three graduate courses (nine semester hours) for which they are enrolled.
Transfer Admission:
In addition to the general requirements for Transfer Admission to Graduate Studies (See General Regulations and Procedures), up to 6 semester hours of graduate credit by transfer will be accepted with the approval of the graduate program coordinator. Exceptions must be approved by the graduate program coordinator, department chair, and college dean.
Application Deadlines
Applications are considered immediately upon receipt, and admissions decisions are made within three weeks. Students applying for assistantships or departmental endowed scholarships must apply to the graduate program by January 15 in order to be eligible for awards beginning in August.
Tuition and Aid
On Campus and Online: $495 per credit hour plus fees.
Non-resident: $990 per credit hour. 海角社区 in-state tuition includes counties in Mississippi and Tennessee that are within 50 miles of campus.
The 海角社区 is committed to providing a quality education at an affordable cost. 海角社区 is offering new and expanded scholarship opportunities:
- The New Start Scholarship: New students enrolled in any bachelor’s degree program, any graduate program (online or on-campus), certificate, or micro- credential will automatically qualify for the New Start Scholarship. With it, students enrolled in at least two courses will receive their first course free. Plus, for a limited time, they will pay no application fee.
- The 海角社区 Alumni Scholarship: This scholarship provides an automatic 15 percent tuition scholarship to 海角社区 alumni who enroll in any graduate program (online or on-campus), certificate, or micro-credential. This scholarship will be applied to newly admitted students beginning in Summer 2021.
- The Military Heroes Scholarship: This scholarship provides an automatic 25 percent tuition scholarship to any active duty, veteran, or current member of the National Guard or Reserves who enrolls in an online bachelor’s degree program, any graduate program (online or on- campus), certificate, or micro-credential. This scholarship will be applied beginning Fall 2021 to all students who qualify.
For additional information on financial aid and scholarships that can help you pay for your tuition, textbooks, housing, and more, you can access .
2023-2024 Tuition Cost
Master of Arts in Writing
On Campus: $495 per credit hour plus fees
Online: $495 per credit hour plus fees for 36 credit hours.