Professional Writing M.S.

Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/cla/departments/english/gradwriting/

Program Director: Michael Downs
Phone: 410-704-3695
Email: mdowns@towson.edu

The program provides advanced study in the theory of writing, writing techniques and style, principles/techniques of editing, and the functions of written communication within the professional/occupational setting. Courses aim to develop the communication skills of people seeking to enter or to advance in occupations requiring extensive writing and/or the analysis and reporting of data. Students choose from tracks in writing for the public and private sectors, technical writing and information design, teaching writing, journalistic writing, scientific writing and creative writing.

Accelerated Bachelor’s-Master’s Program

Students may also earn an M.S. in Professional Writing through the Department of English's accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program. This program allows students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in a shorter time frame. Prospective applicants should contact the program director for details.

Please see the Undergraduate Catalog for information on the accelerated bachelor's-master's program.

Admission Requirements

Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses
PRWR 611RHETORIC3
PRWR 612RHETORICAL GRAMMAR3
PRWR 617EDITING3
PRWR 797INTERNSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL WRITING3
Select one from the following:3
PRWR 615
STYLE
PRWR 623
TECHNICAL WRITING AND INFORMATION DESIGN 1
PRWR 641
THEORY OF CREATIVITY
PRWR 691
METHODS AND RESEARCH FOR PROFESSIONAL WRITING
Electives: 12 units of PRWR 600/700 courses, chosen with advisor (may include 6 units of thesis)12
Track coursework or additional electives (tracks listed below)9
Total Units36
1

Students may use PRWR 623, Technical Writing and Information Design, to fulfill only one program requirement: for the common core, the track, or as an elective.

Tracks

Declaring a track is optional. Students should consult with the Program Director if they wish to change their track.

Creative Writing

Select three of the following:9
PRWR 647
WRITING POETRY (3-6 units)
PRWR 651
WRITING SHORT FICTION (3-6 units)
PRWR 653
WRITING THE NOVEL (3-6 units)
PRWR 705
WRITING CREATIVE NON-FICTION (3-6 units)
Total Units9

Journalistic Writing

Select three of the following:9
PRWR 625
DESIGN LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION
PRWR 705
WRITING CREATIVE NON-FICTION
PRWR 713
FREELANCE WRITING
PRWR 730
WRITING REVIEWS
PRWR 731
SCIENCE AND ITS PUBLIC AUDIENCE
MCOM 502
LITERARY JOURNALISM
Total Units9

Technical Writing and Scientific Communication

Select three of the following:9
PRWR 623
TECHNICAL WRITING AND INFORMATION DESIGN
PRWR 624
FOUNDATIONS IN TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
PRWR 625
DESIGN LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION
PRWR 628
DESIGNING CONTENT FOR THE WEB
PRWR 731
SCIENCE AND ITS PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Total Units9

Teaching Writing

Select three of the following:9
PRWR 621
BUSINESS WRITING
PRWR 625
DESIGN LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION
PRWR 627
CULTURAL RHETORICS AND LITERACIES
PRWR 633
TEACHING COLLEGE COMPOSITION
Total Units9

Writing for the Nonprofit Sector

Select three of the following:9
PRWR 619
GRANT AND COMMUNITY WRITING
PRWR 621
BUSINESS WRITING
PRWR 628
DESIGNING CONTENT FOR THE WEB
PRWR 629
CONTENT STRATEGY AND WRITING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
MCOM 551
PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Total Units9

Portfolio

All students in Professional Writing are required to complete a written master’s degree portfolio as a qualifying exam. The portfolio must be submitted between completion of 12 to 18 units of degree work. If deemed unsatisfactory, the portfolio may be resubmitted once. A second failure results in dismissal from the program.

  1. Demonstrate ability to focus on a topic, deliver sound, reasonable evidence to support or develop that topic; clearly and logically organize the work and show evidence of craft.
  2. Demonstrate flexibility in a range of writing styles as well as sentence and paragraph-level command of language.
  3. Demonstrate line-level competence with grammar, punctuation and vocabulary.