Master’s in Technical and Professional Writing Coming to Middle Georgia State University

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 12:00 AM
Category: Pressroom

Macon, GA

A Master of Arts Degree in Technical and Professional Writing is coming to Middle Georgia State University (MGA).

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the degree at its May 14 meeting. MGA will launch the degree in academic year 2019-2020.

“We’ve had a graduate certificate in technical and professional writing for nearly two years, so a full master’s program was the next logical step,” said Dr. Chip Rogers, an associate professor of English who coordinates the program. “Many of Middle Georgia State’s undergraduates getting bachelor’s degrees in English, new media and communications, information technology, and other disciplines have been asking for a master’s program like this so we are confident of the enrollment potential.”

The fully online master’s program will consist of 30 credit hours, which is double what was required of students to earn the graduate certificate. The degree is designed to prepare students for or advance them in careers in technical and professional writing, editing, research, web-content management, advertising, human resources, business, government, non-profits, marketing, and more.

Courses cover rhetorical theory, the craft of technical and professional writing, and advanced digital literacy. The program also offers instruction in document design, production, and editing. Other topics include multimedia composition, usability testing, project management, website development, and publishing across print and digital platforms.

A variety of regional employers – media outlets, public relations firms, real estate agencies, museums, art galleries, publications, law offices, Robins Air Force Base, K-12 schools, area colleges and universities, health services, local and state government offices, and businesses - value “soft” or “essential” critical thinking and communication skills in their working professionals.

MGA’s Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing is designed to help students build the skills employers value and use them in both print and digital platforms. Rogers noted another advantage to expanding the graduate certificate to a master’s degree: federal financial aid is not available for students in graduate certificate programs but it may be an option for those pursuing master’s degrees. He also said no additional faculty hires will be required to expand the program to a master’s degree.

Middle Georgia State University began offering master’s degrees in January 2016. These degrees include information technology, management, nursing, and teaching secondary education. Other master’s programs are under development. For more information, email graduateadmissions@mga.edu or call 478.929.6712 or 478.929.6865.

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) serves about 7,800 students on campuses in Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins. Students can choose from dozens of programs - including business, nursing, information technology, new media and communications, and contemporary musicianship - that lead to bachelor’s degrees. MGA also offers professional master’s degrees in cybersecurity, nursing, management, and secondary education, with other graduate programs under development. The University is home to Georgia’s only public School of Aviation - based on the Eastman campus - and a four-year degree in flight. mga.edu