Writing, MA

Rhonda Stanton, Graduate Director
Siceluff Hall, Room 209
Phone 417-836-6511
RhondaStanton@MissouriState.edu (mailto:RhondaStanton@MissouriState.edu)

Mission

The MA in Writing pursues several objectives: to develop research methods used to study the teaching of writing or the practice of writing in business and industry; to improve students’ professional writing skills; to train effective writing teachers and professional writers; to collaborate with area schools, businesses, and industry on issues related to written communication and literacy.

Program description

The 33-hour program includes a core of 18 hours and one of two tracks: (1) rhetoric and composition or (2) technical and professional writing.

Admission requirements

Due Dates: For students applying for Summer and Fall semester, priority consideration will be given to applications received by March 1; for Spring, by October 1.

Admission to the program is based on the following components and Application Requirements/Deadlines:

1. A bachelor’s degree with extensive preparation in English (the course work equivalent of an English minor);
2. A minimum GPA of 3.00 overall;
3. A completed Missouri State University Graduate Application; and
4. The following materials must be submitted:
   1. Personal Statement (a 200- to 250-word description of the reasons and goals behind your interest in English graduate studies);
   2. At least two letters of recommendation from individuals able to speak of the applicant’s academic achievements and potential;
   3. A writing sample (a 10-15 page critical paper in English or portfolio of writing samples);
   4. Graduate Assistantship application if the prospective student would like to be considered for this award (submitted directly to the English Department).

Applicants will be notified by mail once their application is complete. Students who do not meet 1 and 2, above, but show high promise, may be admitted conditionally. As conditions of admission, they may be required to take extra courses or make up deficiencies (including weaknesses in writing) or they may have other requirements stipulated.

Accelerated Master’s requirements - available only for the MA, Writing, Technical and Professional Writing track

Admission Requirements:

1. Junior standing, with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher;
2. Undergraduate major in Professional Writing;
3. A minimum GPA of 3.25 in all Professional Writing courses, and a minimum of 9 hours in Professional Writing with no grade below B in Professional Writing courses;
4. Recommendation from two Professional Writing faculty members.

Once accepted, students may take up to 12 credit hours at the 600 level that will apply to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in Professional Writing. Before enrolling in a course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit, undergraduate students must be accepted into the accelerated master’s program and complete a Mixed Credit Form. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed before the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s) to apply to the accelerated degree.