An English degree from Saint Joseph’s University offers excellent training for a broad range of careers, from public relations to teaching to journalism and beyond. Employers continue to seek talented and articulate individuals who can analyze complex situations, and a degree in English will teach you how to write both creatively and persuasively.
Writing Studies MA
If you plan to write a book, grow your career as a technical or professional writer, study literature, build a portfolio for a PhD/MFA application or add a layer of professional development to your current career, Saint Joseph's University's Master of Arts in Writing Studies is the place for you.
You will participate in dynamic workshops that will hone your writing skills and help you gain the rhetoric and composition skills necessary to pursue a fulfilling career as a writer. Saint Joseph’s writing studies program is 100% online and offers the opportunity to engage in diverse styles of writing, including:
- Personal essays
- Short stories
- Poetry
- Press releases
- Screenplays
- Adolescent literature
- Teaching writing
- Grant proposals
Through Saint Joseph's 4+1 program, current undergraduate students can start earning credits toward their Writing Studies MA degree during their senior year. This unique option allows you to graduate with two degrees — a bachelor's and master's — in just five years, saving you time and money. Students from all majors are welcome to apply, but students majoring in areas outside of computer science may be required to complete prerequisite coursework. Students interested in this program should apply to the graduate program in their junior year and be conditionally accepted before they complete their bachelor's degree. If you successfully completed Saint Joseph’s University’s Creative and Professional Writing Certificate program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you can take just five additional courses to receive your master’s degree.
What Sets Our Program Apart
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Writing studies students publish a student-authored literary magazine, The Avenue, featuring fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Students have also been widely published in national publications such as:
- USA Today
- Huffington Post
- VOGUE Italia
- Ebony Magazine
- Salon.com and many more.
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Our classes are 100% online, offering flexible course scheduling designed for working professionals. With the average class size only 15 students or less, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussion, reflection and collaboration with faculty and fellow classmates.
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Depending on your career goals, you will be able to customize your degree by choosing from the following areas of study:
- Writing and Culture
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Professional Writing
What Can You Do With an MA in Writing Studies?
The skills and knowledge gained through writing studies courses and internships often lead to careers in publishing, copywriting, editing, marketing, public relations, journalism, communications, media and creative writing. Work experience is not required. Students in the program come from many different professional backgrounds with varying experience in writing.
Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue careers as:
- Copywriters and Copy Editors
- Technical Writers
- Content Developers
- Communication specialists
- Journalists
- Grant Writers
- Authors
- Teachers
- Marketing Professionals
Program Details
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View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
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Affordable tuition options start at $965 per credit.*
*This rate applies to all students accepted by Saint Joseph's University after June 1, 2023. Tuition and fee rates for students accepted prior to June 1, 2023 differ. Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page or contact us for more information.
Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.
Discount Eligibility
Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount.
Have you completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount.
Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs.
Note: discounts cannot be combined.
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Saint Joseph’s University is approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, that assesses institutions for the highest available form of accreditation.
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SJU is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans’ Services can help you access and understand your benefits.
Why Study Writing Studies in Philadelphia?
By obtaining a Writing Studies MA from Saint Joseph’s University, you’ll be part of a rich and vibrant writing community that will become a valuable network long after graduation. You'll benefit from studying at a university located in Philadelphia, one of the nation's largest cities offering countless job opportunities in print, media, marketing, public relations, journalism and more.
Admission Information
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Work experience is not required to apply for this program. Students come from many different professional backgrounds with varying experience in writing.
To be considered for admission you must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have earned an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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- Apply online.
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Submit a personal statement.
- Submit resume.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Writing sample (may be a collection of work but not to exceed 20 pages)
Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.
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Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Start Terms:
- Fall: August
- Spring: January
- Summer: May
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If you’re applying as an international student, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency and Certification of Finances along with your application. Check the graduate admission page for additional requirements.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Writers and authors earn an average salary of $69,510 per year
- Technical writers earn an average salary of $78,060 per year
- Editors earn an average salary of $63,350 per year
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In addition to a student support coordinator, we have a variety of tools and resources that make it easy for you to get technical assistance, chart your course and focus your career search. Check out our online learning resources.
Related Programs
With a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in English & Professional Writing, you will learn how to analyze complex information and provide well-written ideas in a logical manner. A degree in English will provide the reading, writing, research and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in a wide range of careers, from creative writing, the arts and teaching to marketing, sales and business strategy.
The certificate in creative and professional writing will enhance your writing skills, introduce you to new and exciting career pathways and boost your confidence as a writer.