Frequently Asked Questions
About KSU's Professional Writing Program
What is the Master of Arts in Professional Writing (MAPW) Program?
The MAPW Program allows students to concentrate in one genre of writing - applied writing, composition and rhetoric, or creative writing - but also to study in at least one, but perhaps both, of the other genres. Broadly-speaking, applied writing includes writing for businesses and for the web; composition/rhetoric focuses on the teaching of writing in schools and universities; and creative writing encompasses writing fiction, poems, TV or film scripts, plays, and creative nonficiton. No other university in the U.S. offers students a curriculum that includes all areas of writing in one program.
What is the difference between the MAPW and the Graduate Certificate?
Unlike the Master of Arts in Professional Writing, the Graduate Certificate is a unique four-course, non-degree program. It allows qualified writers to study in graduate-level writing workshops taught by professional writers on the Kennesaw State University faculty. Its mission is to provide instruction and membership in a community of writers to qualified writing students in metro Atlanta and North Georgia who seek intensive writing practice but who do not want to matriculate in a graduate program. The Professional Writing program at Kennesaw State University offers Graduate Certificates in Creative Writing and Professional Writing for International Audiences.
What are the differences among the three writing concentrations?
Broadly-speaking, applied writing includes writing for businesses and for the web; composition and rhetoric focuses on the teaching of writing in schools and universities; and creative writing encompasses writing fiction, poems, TV or film scripts, plays, and creative non-fiction.
Where is the MAPW Program located?
The MAPW is the only graduate-level program in the Department of English at Kennesaw State University, the fastest growing university in Georgia.
Where is Kennesaw State University located?
Kennesaw State University is located in Cobb County, 20 minutes north of Atlanta on I-75 one exit north of Town Center Mall. Take the Chastain Road Exit number 271 and turn left if northbound on I-75 (turn right if southbound). Go to the third light if northbound (second if southbound) and turn right onto Kennesaw State University Drive just beyond the soccer field on your right. Continue straight for about one tenth of a mile and park in the Welcome Center lot.
Click here for a map of Kennesaw State University.
When are classes held?
In Fall and Spring semesters, classes are scheduled one night a week for sixteen weeks from 6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. During Summer semester, classes are scheduled one night a week for eight weeks from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Who teaches the classes in the MAPW Program?
The faculty is as diverse as its student body. All are experienced university teachers and, as important, are writing professionals who have gained an amazing amount of knowledge about their fields and the respect of their colleagues both on and off campus.
Refer to Faculty Biographies for more information.
Who are the students in the MAPW Program?
The students run the gamut from individuals fresh out of an undergraduate program to those who are working professionals. Some have undergraduate degrees in English; many have undergraduate degrees in other disciplines. Although some are from out of state or other countries, most are from northwest Georgia. Some are single parents. Some are area teachers, business professionals, administrative assistants, MDs, store clerks, stay-at-home moms, etc. All have one thing in common: They are serious writers who want to strengthen their art.
Does the MAPW Program offer any study abroad opportunities?
Yes. Refer to Study Abroad for more information.
What are the residency requirements for the MAPW Program?
- Most of the credit you earn for the MAPW degree must be from the MAPW Program.
- A student must complete at least 27 semester hours of course credit from MAPW courses.
- All 27 hours must be completed after the student has been admitted into the MAPW Program.
- You may petition to transfer some credit from previous graduate work into the MAPW Program. Refer to Transfer Credit for more information.
Does the MAPW Program offer students provisional standing or non-degree status?
No. We do not offer applicants provisional standing or non-degree status. Each student in the Professional Writing Program must be enrolled as either a Master of Arts degree-seeking student or in one of the Graduate Certificate programs.
Is there a time limit to complete the MAPW Program?
Yes. All requirements for the MAPW degree must be completed within 6 years from the semester in which the student was initially admitted into the MAPW program-and not from when he/she first enrolled in MAPW courses. Except for the most extreme situations, which must be discussed with the MAPW Program director, no exceptions will be made for this limitation. Students will not receive credit toward the MAPW degree for courses in which they enrolled before the 6-year limit.
Is there an accelerated Bachelor's-Master's degree option?
Yes. For students who work closely with their advisors in planning their course of study at KSU, this option offers the opportunity of simultaneously satisfying partial degree requirements for a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in an accelerated program of study. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, with a satisfactory undergraduate grade point average, and a grade of "B" or better in all graduate courses completed, the student may move to full graduate status in the same graduate program, and the courses taken as an undergraduate can be applied toward the graduate degree.
For more information, refer to Accelerated Bachelor's-Master's Degree Program.
How much are tuition and fees?
Tuition is based on the number of credit hours enrolled.
Click here for the current list of tuition and fees for Kennesaw State University's graduate programs.
Does KSU offer Graduate Research Assistantships?
Yes. Graduate Research Assistantships are offered in Fall and Spring semesters and include tuition waivers and stipends. GRA positions are only open to the Master's degree students. Graduate Certificate students are not eligible.
For more information visit www.kennesaw.edu/graduate/research.shtml.
How do I apply?
To apply to the MAPW Program, follow the procedures outlined at MAPW Admissions Criteria.
To apply to one of the Graduate Certificate Programs, follow the procedures outlined at Graduate Certificate Admissions Criteria.
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