Professional and Technical Writing Concentration

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MA-ENGL-PTW

The Master of Arts in English at Mason offers students the opportunity to enhance their skills of reading, writing, research and teaching with courses that encompass the wide range of contemporary English studies. Students can work in and across concentrations in literature, professional writing, rhetoric, cultural studies, film, folklore, linguistics, and the teaching of writing and literature. It offers the MA in field-specific concentrations as well as the opportunity to combine a concentration in one field with a certificate from another one. Many students use the MA for professional enhancement, or as an entry into teaching, professional writing, or doctoral study.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 30 credits in one concentration.

Concentration in Professional and Technical Writing (PTW)

Required Courses  
ENGH 501 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing 1 3
ENGH 502 Research Methods in Professional and Technical Writing 3
ENGH 503 Theory and Practice of Editing 3
ENGH 505 Document Design 3
Professional Writing  
Select 9 credits from the following: 9
Internship  
Research for Narrative Writing  
Web Authoring and Design  
Digital Rhetoric  
Proposal Writing and Development  
Online Writing  
Studies in Rhetoric  
Cultures of Professional Writing  
Technical Communication  
Proseminar in Composition Instruction  
Advanced Proposal Writing  
Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric  
Northern Virginia Writing Project Teacher/Research Seminar  
Composition Theory  
Theory  
Select 3 credits from the following: 3
Digital Rhetoric  
Introduction to Literary Theory  
Studies in Rhetoric  
Feminist Theory and Criticism  
Introduction to Cultural Studies  
Electives in English  
Select 0-3 credits of electives in English 0-3
Project or Thesis  
Select 3-6 credits of a project or thesis 3-6
Project: 2
 
Projects in Professional and Technical Writing (3 credits)  
Thesis:
 
Thesis (6 credits)  
Total Credits 30
1

ENGH 501 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing should be taken in the first semester of study, if possible.

2

Students who choose a project take one additional elective of 3 credits.