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, which is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 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.