Master of Arts in Writing: Overview

The Master of Arts in Writing (housed within the Department of Writing Arts) encourages students to explore the principals of craft and the practices of writing. Central to our approach toward writing, as noted in our program goals, is the conviction that students benefit from exposure to and experimentation with multiple genres.

In fulfilling the program requirements of the MA in Writing, students may focus on a central area of interest or create a diverse course of study that explores the intersections between creative writing, professional writing, writing studies, and writing pedagogy.

Those who will benefit from the Master of Arts in Writing, and the opportunities we offer, include:

• Creative writers interested in writing and publishing fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children and young adults, or other genres.
• Educators who currently teach K-12 or who wish to teach writing on the college level.
• Professionals who write regularly at work or who aspire to writing, editing, or publishing related careers.
• Students who wish to prepare for advanced graduate work leading to the M.F.A. or Ph.D.

Of particular interest to those students who wish to teach on the college level is our Teaching Experience Program, which allows students to teach Rowan University college composition courses as paid adjunct instructors while completing the Master of Arts in Writing. Students may also apply for paid tutorial positions at the Rowan University Writing Center.

For students currently enrolled in the Writing Arts major, we offer the Combined Advanced Degree Program in Writing Arts (also known as 4+1) which allows students to complete both a BA in Writing Arts and an MA in Writing in five years.

Undergraduates of any major who meet the requirements may take our graduate classes for undergraduate credit through Senior Privilege. Upon admission to the MA in Writing, these credits may be to graduate credit.

In addition to the MA program, we offer nine-credit Certificates of Graduate Study (COGS) in Creative Writing, Editing and Publishing for Writers, and Composition and Rhetoric. These credits may be applied to the Master of Arts in Writing. 

Program Highlights:

• Diverse focus areas including creative writing, journalism, writing pedagogy, writing for children or young adults, and more.
• Hands-on internship opportunities available with Glassworks, the program’s internationally circulated literary magazine, and Singularity Press, a non-profit publishing servicer housed in the Writing Arts Department.
• External internships with area publishers, non-profit organizations, and other businesses are also available.

The Toni Libro Outstanding Master of Arts in Writing Student is awarded to a Master of Arts in Writing student who has demonstrated outstanding course performance, exceptional writing ability, and strong professionalism. This award is sponsored by Dr. Antoinette Libro, former dean of the College of Communication.

Over the years, Rowan has been the site for readings, presentations, and master classes by Neil Gaiman, comic book therapist Scott McCloud, Pulitzer Prize Winners Patti Smith and Philip Schultz,  Newbery honoree Rita Williams-Garcia, and many other national figures.

Follow our MA in Writing on Instagram and Facebook.

Application process: Applications to the Master of Arts in Writing are administered by Global Learning and Partnerships. No GRE is required to apply.

For more information contact:
Katie Budris, Senior Lecturer
Program Coordinator - Master of Arts in Writing
Department of Writing Arts
budris@rowan.edu
856-256-4858

For information about specific courses listed in program requirements, as well as other offerings, please see the Graduate Catalog.