Master of Arts in English, Professional Writing Concentration

Dr. Joyce Neff, Coordinator

Old Dominion University offers two graduate programs in Professional Writing. The M.A. concentration is designed for those who seek an intense investigation into professional writing. The Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing is designed for professionals who want to supplement their undergraduate degrees or graduate students in other programs who want to sharpen their writing and communication skills.

Professional Writing Degree Requirements

Core Professional Writing (9 hours from)

• Engl 539 Writing in Electronic Environment
• Engl 685 Writing Research
• Engl 760 Classical Rhetoric (or 715 Theories and Practices of Professional Writing)
• Engl 765 Modern Rhetoric(or 715 Theories and Practices of Professional Writing)

Focused Electives in Professional Writing (9 hours from)

• 527 Writing in the Disciplines
• 535 Management Writing
• 539 Writing in Electronic Environments
• 581 Advanced Public Relations
• 583 Advanced News Reporting
• 584 Feature Story Writing
• 585 Editorial and Persuasive Writing
• 586 Media Law and Ethics
• 664 Teaching College Composition
• 665 Teaching Writing with Technology
• 668 Graduate Internship and Project in Professional Writing
• 685 Writing Research
• 686 Introduction to Rhetorical Studies
• 687 Colloquium for Teachers of English
• 695 Topics (when topic related to Professional Writing)
• 701 Texts and Technologies
• 706 Visual Rhetoric and Document Design
• 715 Professional Writing Theories and Practices
• 716 Professional Writing in International Contexts
• 720 Pedagogy and Instructional Design
• 760 Classical Rhetoric
• 765 Modern Rhetoric
• 766 Rhetoric in Cyberspace
• 795 Topics (when topic related to Professional Writing)

Approved, Open Electives (12 hours)

MA Thesis, Portfolio, or Oral Examination

No more than 12 credit hours on the 500 level may be counted toward a degree.