Program Overview

Program Description

The MS in Professional Writing program at New York University's School of Professional Studies is designed to develop students' creative abilities with a focus on dynamic careers across various industries and evolving fields. The curriculum encourages students to leverage new technologies while confidently crafting content that has measurable impact. This master's degree prepares graduates for full-time, part-time, and freelance writing careers in sectors such as technology, education, finance, nonprofit/fundraising, marketing/advertising, government, medical/healthcare/wellness, science/environment/energy, and corporate communications.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 36 credits, comprising:

• Core Requirements:
  • PWRT1-GC 1000: Principles of Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1005: Writing for Digital Spaces (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1010: Business and Organizational Writing (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1015: Style and Rhetoric (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1020: Document Design and Data Storytelling (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1025: Principles of Information Architecture (3 credits)
• Electives: Select four of the following courses (12 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 3000: Health and Medical Writing
  • PWRT1-GC 3005: Promotional Writing
  • PWRT1-GC 3010: Independent Study in Professional Writing
  • PWRT1-GC 3015: Technical Writing
  • PWRT1-GC 3020: Writing for Science and the Environment
  • PWRT1-GC 3025: Writing Proposals and Grants
  • PWRT1-GC 3030: Writing for Finance
  • PWRT1-GC 1011: Digital and Organizational Storytelling
  • PWRT1-GC 1021: Media Production for Professional Writers
  • PWRT1-GC 3035: Writing and Social Science Research
  • PWRT1-GC 3040: Persuasive Public Policy Writing
• Additional Major Requirements:
  • PWRT1-GC 3900: Portfolio/Thesis Requirement (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 3905: Internship (3 credits) or PWRT1-GC 3910: Directed Study

Admissions

Admission to master's programs at the NYU School of Professional Studies requires the completion of a U.S. bachelor's degree or its international equivalent. Admissions decisions are made through a holistic review process.

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study is as follows:

• 1st Semester/Term:
  • PWRT1-GC 1005: Writing for Digital Spaces (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1010: Business and Organizational Writing (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1000: Principles of Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • Professional Writing Elective (3 credits)
• 2nd Semester/Term:
  • PWRT1-GC 1020: Document Design and Data Storytelling (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1025: Principles of Information Architecture (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 1015: Style and Rhetoric (3 credits)
  • Professional Writing Elective (3 credits)
• 3rd Semester/Term:
  • PWRT1-GC 3910: Directed Study or PWRT1-GC 3905: Internship (3 credits)
  • PWRT1-GC 3900: Portfolio/Thesis Requirement (3 credits)
  • Professional Writing Elective (3 credits)
  • Professional Writing Elective (3 credits)

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Plan, craft, and revise targeted copy that incorporates writing principles and techniques.
2. Produce content and documentation across various digital and traditional formats.
3. Develop and adhere to style guides and best practices for original content.
4. Articulate and advocate for style guides and best practices for content produced by others.
5. Draft, revise, and advocate for linguistic and rhetorical shifts to best reach niche and novice audiences.
6. Track and evaluate the impact of communication projects.
7. Write clear and cohesive narratives that accurately report data and research findings.
8. Employ rhetorical strategies to increase persuasiveness and motivate audience response/action.
9. Articulate and apply professional writing practices to visual and verbal design processes.
10. Produce multimodal documents and media that demonstrate appropriate design sensibilities and information hierarchy/architecture.
11. Serve as project lead and group member in various collaborative communication projects.

Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages. Additional academic policies can be found on the School of Professional Studies academic policy page.