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Professional Writing and Editing  Master's

Overview

What is Professional Writing and Editing at WVU like?

Description

Professional writers do more than simply translate complex, technical information into easy-to-read prose. Professional writers assess the information needs of audiences from different languages and cultural backgrounds, and analyze how written texts circulate through the organizations in which they work. Professional writers possess the critical, rhetorical and technical knowledge necessary to produce successful and effective communications.

The M.A. in Professional Writing and Editing (PWE) combines theories of writing and practice in these real-world writing situations. You will study professional writing theory, rhetoric, editing, new modes of digital composition, and writing ethics over 30 credit hours. This program prepares you for a variety of career options, including technical writing and editing, project management, writing consulting, writing instruction, and advanced graduate study in rhetoric and composition. It is designed for recent graduates and full-time professionals seeking more training in writing and editing.

The program is designed to enable students to achieve the following goals:

  • Recognize and evaluate a variety of ethical, social, legal, and political values intertwined in the production and consumption of technical communications.
  • Analyze the uses and applications of new communication technologies.
  • Acquire historical and critical understanding of rhetorical theories and practices.
  • Master a variety of research and analytical methods, especially as these apply to the study and practical application of oral, written, and visual communication in professional contexts.
  • Acquire a practical and theoretical understanding of workplace dynamics including client relations and project management skills.

Application Deadlines

Each graduate program sets their own term of admission and application deadline. Applicants can only apply for admission for the term displayed below. Any questions regarding the application deadline should be directed to the graduate program representative.

Fall: January 15

At a Glance

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Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Professional Writing and Editing at WVU?

University Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelors degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75.

WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

Program Requirements

To be eligible for admission into the Professional Writing and Editing graduate program an applicant must submit the following documentation:

  • Letters of Recommendation - Three
  • Résumé /CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Essay/Writing Sample

Additional application requirements:

  • Students with past or current experience as a writer or editor may submit their professional work as part of their writing sample. However, applicants should all submit an academic research paper of at least 8-10 pages in length as their writing sample.

Certain application requirements may be waived based on a preliminary review of an application by program.

International Applicants must also submit the materials outlined here.

Contact Information

Who do I contact if I have questions?

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