Writing Studies M.A.
Saint Joseph’s MA in Writing Studies offers a flexible, creative, and literature-rich program that prepares students for diverse writing careers. Courses span fiction, poetry, professional writing, and more—culminating in a thesis and real-world writing experience.
Overview
The graduate writing studies program combines a traditional literature-based master's degree with a creative writing program by offering a wide variety of courses and providing students with a highly flexible, unique academic experience. At Saint Joseph’s University, writing studies students engage in diverse styles of writing, including short story, poetry, press releases, reflections on teaching writing, plays, adolescent literature, autobiography, biography, personal essays, and grant proposals.
Degree Requirements and Curriculum
The MA in Writing Studies requires 30 credits of graduate work. Six credits will come from a thesis project (either an analytical study or a collection of original creative material, 700 level). The remaining credits involve courses at the 500 and 600 level. The program includes provisions for internships and directed individual projects of various kinds.
All students in the program will take one core course: ENG 550 - The Practice of Writing. This course provides a breadth of perspective on all of the general issues and circumstances faced by writers in the process of engaging an audience and making a living through the craft of language.
NOTE: Astrisked courses will be added/offered starting in 2026.
CORE COURSES
ENG 550 The Practice of Writing
ELECTIVES - CREATIVE & PROFESSIONAL WRITING COURSES
ENG 560 Rhetoric Then and Now
ENG 600 Poetry Today
ENG 610* Science Writing
ENG 612 Biography
ENG 614 The Short Story
ENG 619 Reading & Writing the Young Adult Novel
ENG 620 Special Topics in Literature and Culture
ENG 621 Horror in Literature and Film
ENG 624* Science Fiction in Literature and Film
ENG 626* Climate Change Stories
ENG 628* Nature and Environmental Writing
ENG 629* Writing and Environmental Justice
ENG 635 The Writing Teacher Writing
ENG 636 Writing and Empowerment
ENG 640 Experiments in Narrative
ENG 642 Style
ENG 643 Special Topics in the Essay
ENG 646 Multimedia Storytelling
ENG 665 Memoir
ENG 668 Creative Nonfiction Workshop
ENG 669 Poetry-Writing Workshop
ENG 670 Fiction-Writing Workshop I
ENG 671 Fiction-Writing Workshop II
ENG 673 Screenwriting Workshop
ENG 674* Scientific and Medical Writing
ENG 675 Special Topic Writing Workshop
ENG 676 Writing for Publication
ENG 677 Case Study: Public Relations
ENG 678 Case Study: Magazine Publishing
ENG 679 Special Topics in Journalism
ENG 680 Writing for Nonprofits
ENG 681 Writers at Work
ENG 682 New Media
ENG 683 Editing Practicum
ENG 684 Health Writing
ENG 686* Literature and Medicine
THESIS
ENG 793 Thesis Project I
ENG 794 Thesis Project II
INTERNSHIPS/INDEPENDENT
ENG 770 Directed Readings
ENG 771 Directed Research
ENG 772 Directed Writing
ENG 773 Directed Fieldwork
ENG 791 Graduate Internship
Degree Time Limitation
After the establishing of degree candidacy, a maximum of five years will be allowed for the completion of the degree requirements. Under extenuating circumstances, a student may request an extension of this time frame.
Current Course Offerings
Fall 2026 Course Offerings
Mondays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 550: The Practice of Writing
Instructor: Dr. Melissa A. Goldthwaite
CRN: 40417
The Practice of Writing introduces students to the conventions of various genres and to skills and practices that they can use not only in the Writing Studies Program but also in careers related to writing, publishing, and teaching. Students will consider the work of various writers, write in at least three genres, provide feedback to peers, and practice revision and editing in the context of a classroom community.
Tuesdays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 624: Science Fiction in Literature and Film
Instructor: Dr. Justin Everett
This course introduces students to the craft of writing science fiction and fantasy short stories. Students will learn the elements of the speculative fiction story and the unique publication cycle of the market. Students will write, revise, and polish two short stories over the course of the semester with the goal of getting those stories prepared for submission to paying markets such as Asimov's Science Fiction and Clarkesworld. The course will be taught in a workshop format.
Wednesdays 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 669: Poetry Writing Workshop
Instructor: Dr. April Lindner
CRN: 43194
In this class, you will write a variety of types of poetry—sometimes in response to specific prompts. I expect you to be willing to take chances, experiment, keep a reading journal, listen and learn from constructive criticism, and to revise until you have produced a portfolio of publishable poems. You also will be reading work by a range of poets working in different styles to explore some of the major trends in contemporary poetry.
All classes will take place online. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Cristina Hanganu-Bresch at changanubresch@sju.edu. Thanks.
Thesis Resources
Starting your Thesis
Thesis Guide: Use this document as a guide to help you through the thesis registration and completion process.
Thesis Advisor List: Use this list to assist you in making your choice. The list is not absolute - reach out to any of your professors to discuss your thesis project.
Thesis Checklist: Common questions regarding format, font and printing can be found here.
Thesis Completion Form: To be completed when you are ready to register for credits involved in your thesis project. Please review this form with your thesis mentor.
Thesis Completion
Refer to the thesis checklist for help with this process. You will also need to complete a title page and get the required signatures for your thesis.
Thesis Title Page Template: Assists you in creating your title page for the finished project. This page will require the director's signature as well as your mentor’s signature.
An electronic copy of your thesis will be required for submission to ProQuest for inclusion in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database. There is no charge for submitting to ProQuest, which is done electronically, and the SJU community has access to their work via the ProQuest database. This fulfills the requirement to submit a copy of your thesis to the library. Instructions for submitting your thesis to ProQuest can be found here.
One paper copy should be submitted to the English department for inclusion in their collection. The copy should be three-hole punched and single-sided. Make sure to include the title page with signatures. The department will provide a binder for the display cabinet.
Questions? Contact Heather Foster at hfoster@sju.edu.