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Graduate students attending a Masters in Professional Writing class

Professional Writing & Communication
MA

UMass Dartmouth’s Master of Arts in Professional Writing & Communication program meets a growing demand for professional and technical communicators. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in professional and technical writing are growing faster than average. 

Our students take classes that prepare them to meet that demand by learning how to communicate ideas and information across a range of media. 

  • web authoring
  • document design
  • social media writing
  • rhetorical theory
  • usability
  • stylistics

Student success

Professional Writing & Communication mean starting salary

NACE Data Collection of Class of 2023 Graduate Alumni
MPWC student Ghenwa Elkhoury

Student spotlight

Ghenwa Elkhoury '21, '23: Plain language

Lebanese transfer student overcomes adversity and completes two degrees in four years.

After graduation

Our students have found full-time positions at companies and organizations such as Akamai Technologies, Brown Medical School, Goodwill Industries, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and Raytheon. They're employed in positions such as:

  • Communications Consultant
  • Technical Writer
  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Grant Writer
  • Document and Web Designer
  • Content Strategist
  • Public Outreach Specialist
  • Writer/Editor/Internet Systems Developer

  • 33 total credits 
  • Master's thesis 
  • internship
  • 9 credits per semester for full-time status

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • $60 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
  • English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
  • GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.

  • Writing sample: academic or professional work that demonstrates readiness for graduate work (10-15 pages).
  • GRE is waived.
  • 2 letters of recommendation: from persons in the field of your academic major at the institution most recently attended or from supervisors familiar with your recent job performance. Applicants will be required to provide the recommenders name and email address so we can contact the recommender for the letter of recommendation.

 

Application dates

A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.

Learn more about assistantships at UMass Dartmouth