Online Master’s in Professional Writing

Online MA programs in Professional Writing combine advanced writing theory, applied communication skills, and real-world project experience to prepare graduates for high-level careers in publishing, corporate communications, nonprofit development, technical documentation, and digital media. These programs are designed for writers, editors, communication specialists, and professionals seeking to refine their craft, expand their versatility, and master the art of clear, impactful writing across multiple contexts. Graduates learn to produce persuasive, creative, and technical content; manage editorial workflows; adapt messaging for diverse audiences; and integrate digital tools into professional communication strategies.

Core Courses and Electives

Core Courses

• Advanced Rhetoric and Composition: Explores rhetorical theory, audience analysis, and persuasive strategies for professional contexts.
• Editing and Publishing: Covers copyediting, developmental editing, and the publishing process across print and digital platforms.
• Technical and Scientific Writing: Introduces specialized writing for technical fields, including documentation, manuals, and reports.
• Grant and Proposal Writing: Teaches persuasive writing techniques for securing funding, contracts, and project approvals.
• Digital and Multimedia Writing: Focuses on creating engaging content for web, social media, and multimedia formats.
• Business and Workplace Communication: Develops skills in reports, presentations, proposals, and correspondence for professional environments.

Popular Electives

• Creative Nonfiction: Explores storytelling techniques for memoirs, profiles, and literary journalism.
• Health and Medical Writing: Teaches specialized communication for healthcare, public health, and medical research audiences.
• Instructional Design Writing: Prepares students to create explicit, learner-focused training materials and e-learning content.
• Marketing and Brand Storytelling: Examines strategies for crafting brand narratives and persuasive marketing copy.
• Writing for Government and NGOs: Focuses on public communication, policy writing, and compliance documentation.

Specializations

Many programs allow students to choose a focus area aligned with their career goals:

• Technical and Scientific Writing: Emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and usability in technical documentation.
  Career Paths: Technical writer, documentation specialist, information architect.
• Creative and Literary Writing: Focuses on narrative craft, voice, and publishing for fiction and nonfiction.
  Career Paths: Author, editor, literary agent, content creator.
• Corporate and Strategic Communication: Centers on brand messaging, corporate narratives, and stakeholder engagement.
  Career Paths: Corporate communications manager, PR strategist, content marketing lead.
• Grant and Proposal Writing: Trains students to craft compelling proposals and secure funding for projects and organizations.
  Career Paths: Grant writer, development officer, fundraising consultant.
• Research Administration & Sponsored Programs: Specializes in writing, managing, and overseeing research grant proposals, compliance documents, and sponsored project reports.
  Career Paths: Research administrator, sponsored programs coordinator, compliance officer.

Capstone Projects and Applied Learning

• Professional Writing Thesis or Capstone: Students complete a significant project such as developing a full-length manuscript, a corporate communication plan, or a comprehensive grant proposal.
• Portfolio Development: Programs provide opportunities to compile a professional portfolio featuring diverse writing samples from various genres and industries.
• Internships and Practicum: Many programs offer placements in publishing houses, corporate communication departments, nonprofits, or government agencies.
• Client-Based Writing Projects: Students collaborate with real organizations to produce grant proposals, reports, marketing campaigns, or editorial content.
• Digital Publishing Projects: Opportunities to launch blogs, e-magazines, podcasts, or multimedia content platforms as final deliverables.

Admission to an online Master of Arts (MA) in Professional Writing attracts applicants from diverse fields such as journalism, corporate communications, creative writing, technical writing, marketing, public relations, and nonprofit advocacy. Programs assess applicants based on educational preparation, professional or freelance writing experience, portfolio quality, and their ability to adapt writing skills for multiple audiences and media formats.

• Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution. While degrees in English, journalism, communications, media studies, or related disciplines are preferred, programs often admit students from varied academic backgrounds who demonstrate strong writing, editing, and analytical abilities.
• Statement of Purpose: A written statement outlining the applicant’s professional goals, writing interests, relevant experience, and motivation for pursuing advanced training in professional writing is typically required. This document helps programs evaluate the candidate’s commitment to the craft, adaptability to multiple genres, and long-term career vision.
• Professional Resume: Applicants are expected to submit a resume or CV detailing professional, freelance, or academic writing experience; editing projects; published work; or communications roles. Volunteer work involving content creation, grant writing, or organizational storytelling is also valued.
• Letters of Recommendation: One to three letters are usually required from professors, supervisors, or writing industry professionals familiar with the applicant’s writing ability, project management skills, and readiness for graduate-level work.
• Transcripts: Official academic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework must be submitted. International applicants may need credential evaluations or certified translations.
• Writing Sample: Many programs request a writing portfolio or sample—such as articles, essays, technical manuals, grant proposals, web content, or creative nonfiction—to evaluate the applicant’s writing quality, versatility, and capacity to meet professional standards.
• English Language Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency through standardized tests such as TOEFL or IELTS unless they hold a prior degree from an English-medium institution.
• No GRE Required: Most online MA programs in Professional Writing do not require GRE scores. Admissions decisions emphasize writing quality, portfolio strength, relevant experience, and the potential to excel in diverse writing contexts.

Online Master’s in Professional Writing – No GRE Programs

To support accessibility for a wide range of applicants, most Online Master’s in Professional Writing programs have eliminated the GRE requirement. Instead, admissions committees place greater emphasis on portfolio work, professional writing samples, and evidence of the applicant’s ability to produce clear, impactful writing for varied purposes and audiences. Strong consideration is often given to candidates who demonstrate versatility across genres—such as creative, technical, business, or digital writing—and who can showcase editing skills, audience awareness, and mastery of tone. This approach ensures that admissions decisions focus on proven writing ability and potential for professional success rather than standardized test performance.

• Average Range: $15,000 – $42,000 for the complete program. 
• Factors Affecting Cost: Tuition varies by institution type, residency status, and credit requirements (typically 30–36 credits). Public universities may offer reduced in-state tuition, while private institutions often provide scholarships or tuition packages that include access to premium writing tools, editorial software, and professional workshops. Additional costs may consist of technology fees, subscriptions to editing platforms, style guide access, and optional conference or residency participation. Flexible pacing allows students to complete the program in 1–3 years, depending on whether they enroll full-time or part-time.

Accreditation is a critical factor when evaluating the quality and credibility of an Online Master’s in Professional Writing. Students should prioritize programs offered by universities that are regionally accredited by recognized accrediting bodies in the United States. Accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous academic standards, which are essential for employment, further graduate study, and professional recognition in fields such as publishing, corporate communications, content strategy, and technical writing. While there is no subject-specific accrediting body for professional writing at the master’s level, institutional accreditation is essential for eligibility for federal financial aid, credit transfer, and employer recognition. It also reflects the quality of the curriculum, faculty expertise, and student support services. Professional organizations such as the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP), the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) may recognize or recommend specific programs for their alignment with industry best practices. International students should confirm that academic and professional authorities in their home country recognize the degree. Prospective students are encouraged to verify a school’s accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to ensure that the degree holds long-term academic and professional value in writing-intensive careers across multiple industries.

• Clarify professional goals: Students should begin by identifying whether their goal is to work in publishing, corporate communications, technical writing, digital content strategy, journalism, or creative writing. A clear understanding of one’s career objectives will help narrow down programs that offer relevant specializations, workshops, or applied projects aligned with those aspirations.
• Assess program content: A strong Online Master’s in Professional Writing should include both foundational and advanced coursework in rhetoric, editing, creative and technical writing, digital media communication, and professional document design. Look for programs that integrate real-world assignments, collaborative projects, and a final capstone, thesis, or professional writing portfolio to demonstrate mastery and market readiness.
• Evaluate flexibility and delivery format: Program structures vary. Some offer fully asynchronous learning for maximum scheduling freedom, while others incorporate live virtual seminars, writing workshops, or short in-person residencies. Choose a delivery format that supports your work commitments, location, and preferred learning style.
• Analyze cost and return on investment: While tuition rates differ, students should compare costs against long-term earning potential in fields like corporate communication, publishing, marketing, or technical writing. Explore scholarship opportunities, employer tuition reimbursement, or graduate assistantships, and ensure the program provides strong career services, internship support, and professional networking opportunities.
• Review faculty expertise: Faculty in professional writing programs should have both academic credentials and industry experience in writing, editing, publishing, or communications. Look for instructors who have published widely, worked as editors or communication consultants, or led writing projects in corporate, nonprofit, or media settings, as their guidance will be both practical and industry-relevant.
• Seek student and alumni feedback: Connect with current students or graduates to understand the program’s strengths, networking potential, and career outcomes. Review examples of alumni publications, technical documentation, content strategies, or books, and investigate where graduates are working—whether in publishing houses, marketing agencies, corporate offices, or as independent writers.
• Understand admissions requirements: Most programs require a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related discipline, along with a writing sample, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Some may also consider applicants from other fields who can demonstrate strong writing ability and relevant professional experience. International applicants may need to provide English proficiency scores (TOEFL/IELTS).
• Verify accreditation: Ensure the institution is regionally accredited by agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education, and that the program is housed within a reputable department of English, communications, or writing studies. Accreditation ensures academic quality and enhances the value of the degree for employment and professional recognition.