What is the difference between the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication and the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing?
The Graduate Certificate is a 15-credit hour program made up of these courses required:
- ENGL 5106 – Technical Writing in the Digital Age
- NMAC 5108 – Writing and Publishing in Digital Environments
- ITEC 5300 – Web Development
- ITEC 5320 – Instructional Design
- 1 of the 2 elective courses:
- ENGL 6200 – Grant Writing
- ITEC 5310 – Human Computer Interaction
The Master of Arts program includes all the certificate courses above; ENGL 5106, NMAC 5108, ITEC 5300, ITEC 5320, and ENGL 6200 are required for the MA, with ITEC 5310 as a possible elective. The MA adds 5 additional courses for a total of 30 credit hours:
- ENGL 5206 – Public and Professional Writing
- ENGL 5650 – Theory and Practice in Editing and Style
- ENGL 6200 – Grant Writing (also certificate elective; required in MA)
- COMM 5000 – Rhetoric: Written, Visual, and Oral Communication
- 2 of a variety of elective courses (which includes ITEC 5310)
What electives can be students choose in the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing?
Students in the Masters in Technical and Professional Writing program can choose from a wide variety of electives to fulfill their two elective classes. These include:
- ITEC 5310 – Human Computer Interaction (also a certificate elective)
- COMM 6610 Social Media Communication and Advertising
- CRWR 5040 Fiction Writing
- CRWR 5050 Poetry Writing
- CRWR 5440 Screenwriting
- CRWR 5700 Narrative Journalism
- CRWR 5900 Publishing and the Creative Writer
- ENGL 5990 Graduate Internship
- ENGL 6100 Seminar in Landmark Reports and Papers
- ENGL 6300 Teaching First Year Composition
- ENGL 6400 Teaching Developmental Writing
- ENGL 6500 Teaching Online Research and Writing
- MCOM 5010 Public Relations Writing and Research
- MCOM 5030 Crisis Communication
- MCOM 5131 News Writing and Reporting
- MCOM 6000 Production and Design for Public Relations
Can I complete one technical writing program without the other?
Absolutely. Both the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication are stand-alone graduate credentials.
Can I complete both technical writing programs?
Yes. A number of students have completed both degrees.
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication may then apply to the Master’s program. Their completed courses will count toward the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing. For this option, contact the Graduate Coordinator.
Students in the Masters of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing may also choose to graduate with both the MA and the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication, completing course work simultaneously. For this option, contact the Graduate Coordinator after your admission to the MA. We encourage all MA students to add this certificate to their program of study.
If I am admitted to the Master’s program, can I complete only the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication?
Definitely. Admitted M.A. students can still earn the certificate whether or not they complete the M.A. curriculum, as long as they complete the required Graduate Certificate course work. Students wishing to move from the MA program to the Graduate Certificate program should contact the Graduate Coordinator for more details.
Can I later add on other MGA Graduate Writing Programs, such as the Graduate Certificates in Creative Writing or Teaching College English? Or move into those programs after completing the MA?
MGA’s School of Arts and Letters offers “stackable” graduate programs. Students can be enrolled in up to two graduate programs at a time. In fact, we encourage all MA students to add the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication, as you can earn both credentials with no additional coursework.
The Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing contains courses that can be used as electives in the MA in Technical and Professional Writing; the Graduate Certificate in Teaching College Writing includes courses also required in the MA and that can be used as electives. These courses will transfer directly into the certificate programs. Please contact the graduate coordinator for further details.
Any testing requirements for admission?
We do not require admissions exams for acceptance into the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing or the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication.
Financial aid available?
While federal financial aid is available for the M.A., it is not currently available for the certificate. However, we do offer Graduate Certificate students other financing options such as Nelnet payment plans, alternative loans, tuition assistance programs (TAP), and third-party scholarships.
Are letters of recommendation required?
Letters of recommendation are not required for either the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing or the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication.
What is “evidence of aptitude for success in graduate-level studies”?
A graduate admissions committee determines aptitude for success by reviewing applicants’ official transcript(s) and statement of interest. No additional materials beyond those indicated in the application instructions are required.
If I do not meet the GPA requirement, can I still apply?
Applicants with undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 cannot be admitted straight into the Master of Arts program, but they can be admitted to the certificate program. On completion of the Graduate Certificate, these students would then be eligible for entry into the Master’s program.
Applicants who do not meet the 2.5 GPA threshold cannot be admitted into the Graduate Certificate or the M.A. program. Students may enroll in MGA’s undergraduate Professional Writing (PFWR) courses as transient students to raise their GPA and gain valuable related instruction that will equip them well for the graduate program if/when they are admitted.
Do the Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs start only in fall semester?
Not so. Admitted students may begin either program in fall, spring, or summer semester.
Do I need to live in Georgia or near Macon?
Not at all. Both programs are fully online. We do have students from across Georgia, but also students from as far away as Pennsylvania, Texas, and Oregon.
Are there application deadlines?
Yes. Check application deadlines by program here: https://www.mga.edu/graduate-admissions/programs/index.php
However, we review applications on a rolling basis and will make every attempt to review an application that comes in after a deadline.
How do I apply?
Detailed information is available by program at: https://www.mga.edu/graduate-admissions/programs/index.php
