
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 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
Mondays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 620 Special Topics in Lit/Culture: Writing and Reading Animals
Instructor: Dr. Melissa A. Goldthwaite
CRN: 40418
(Area I)
In this hybrid literature and writing course, we will consider the representation of animals in a range of texts and explore various depictions of animals, focusing on what they teach us about animals, humans, and the environment—and the relationships among all three. We will also consider how literary portrayals of animals (pets, animals in captivity or in the wild) both draw from and differ from representations in scientific and philosophical texts. Students will have flexibility to develop their own writing-about-animals project in keeping with their goals and focus in the Writing Studies program. Assignments will include short writings for each class, a presentation, and a longer final project, which will be workshopped by the class.
Tuesdays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 550: The Practice of Writing
Instructor: Dr. Cristina Hanganu-Bresch
CRN: 40417
(Core Class)
This course is designed as an Introduction to the Writing Studies Program, and it allows students to explore a variety of genres while they delve into career options within the writing/publishing world. Students will consider the work of various writers and will play the role of columnist, essayist, poet, fiction writer, and editor. At the end of the course, students will reflect on these different roles and begin brainstorming a possible thesis project in one area.
Thursdays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 679 Special Topics in Journalism: Food Writing
Instructor: Professor Tenaya Darlington
CRN: 42268
(Area III)
Have you ever wanted to write about food professionally or become more knowledgeable about the area of Food Writing? In this class, you’ll read a variety of books by writers who make their living through writing about food – from a best-selling cookbook by a former English major (Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat); a memoir by a famous food blogger (A Homemade Life); and a journalistic investigation into American food culture by Michael Pollen (In Defense of Food). Along the way, you’ll also learn how to write evocatively about the things you eat (Beyond Delicious). Plan to write, read, taste, research, and cook!
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, printing and binding 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 for your thesis (see form below). If you choose to have a personal copy bound, you must fill out the bindery form (see form below).
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.
One paper copy should be submitted to the English department for inclusion in their collection. The copy should be three-hole punched. The department will provide a binder for the display cabinet.
Getting a copy bound for your personal use will require the bindery form to be filled out. Due to increased prices, copies now cost $20.00 each, plus $4.00 UPS shipping. You must pay by money order due to possible delay times for delivery. Wait time for finished copies can take several weeks, as the library must have 30 copies in order to complete a shipment.
Bindery form
Questions? Contact Heather Foster at hfoster@sju.edu.