English - Professional Writing, Master of Arts
Department of English
College of Arts and Letters
The Professional Writing Emphasis focuses on students mastering procedures and techniques to create and publish reader-driven writing typical of the workplace, such as proposals, specifications, procedures, reports, formal correspondence, and white papers. With this degree and the skills acquired in getting it, our graduates are well prepared to succeed in securing high-paying jobs in a variety of corporate and government settings.
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To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
- All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
Additional Admission Requirements
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The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
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- Three letters of recommendation
- A writing sample
- A personal statement or essay
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- Resume or curriculum vitae
Master's Requirements
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Take the following 36 units:
Technical Editing
Foundations
Select one of the following courses (3 units):
Select one of the following courses (3 units):Workplace Environment
Select one of the following courses (3 units):Research and Capstone Project- ENG 526 (3 units)
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One directed-project course (3 units)
- ENG 685, ENG 697 or ENG 699. The directed project must be completed under the direction of a member of the Professional Writing faculty. The project is not a faculty-designed course, but a student-designed project in which the student identifies a problem, proposes a course of action to solve that problem, and designs a plan of study to research, develop, and support the solution to the problem. This is written up as a formal capstone project. The methods for designing, developing, and writing the capstone project are taught in ENG 526.
- The remaining 21 units to earn the M.A. are chosen with advisor approval and are based upon the professional goals of the student. A wide range of other ENG courses, as well as courses in Communication, Education, and a host of other disciplines can be used as electives in a coherent program of study, with the advisor's approval.
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Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.