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For questions about the program, contact Dr. Sarah Read, Director of Professional and Technical Writing at tech-director@pdx.edu. For questions about the admissions application, contact grdstudy@pdx.edu.
Overview
The Bachelor's in English + Master's in Professional and Technical Writing pathway program allows qualified undergraduates in the English department to work towards their MA or MS in Professional and Technical Writing (MPTW) while completing their BA or BS in English. MPTW graduates go on to work in a variety of technical writing roles in the healthcare, technology, and manufacturing industries, non-profit organizations, and state and local government. Academically motivated students may pursue a thesis option, especially if they are interested in pursuing further graduate study beyond PSU.
Students admitted into the B+M in English + Professional and Technical Writing are able to take up to 12 credit hours of 500-level course work as an undergraduate, at an undergraduate tuition rate, and apply the credits to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees, saving them time and money as they progress toward two degrees.
Students apply to the B+M in English + Professional and Technical Writing by the third term of their junior year; students admitted to the program take 500-level courses in their senior year, beginning with WR 525 Advanced Technical Writing in the fall. Students who start their senior year in winter or spring quarters may take other 500-level technical writing courses prior to WR 525.
Admissions
Eligibility
Students are eligible to apply for the B+M in English + Professional and Technical Writing if they have met the following criteria:
- Minimum PSU GPA of 3.3.
- On track to complete at least 138 undergraduate credits towards their Bachelor’s degree before the term in which the student plans to begin the B+M.
- Completion of either ENG 300 or WR 301 (preferably both) by the end of the second term of junior year. A student who has completed only one of these two courses at the time of their application must complete the other by the end of their junior year.
Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application to begin the B+M in the fall quarter will close on May 1, the application to begin in winter will close on October 15, and the application to begin in spring will close on January 15.
| Deadline | Start Term |
|---|
| May 1 | Fall Quarter |
| October 15 | Winter Quarter |
| January 15 | Spring Quarter |
Application Process
By the appropriate application deadline, students should submit the following materials via the Graduate School's application (link forthcoming):
- A one-page statement of purpose that describes your preparation for graduate-level study and how pursuing the Master’s in Professional and Technical Writing degree aligns with your personal and professional goals.
- A writing sample totaling at least 10 pages. Sample may include multiple documents, including both academic and professional writing.
- Two letters of recommendation from PSU faculty.
- On the Recommendations tab of the application, enter the contact information of your recommenders and click "Send to Recommender." Your recommenders will receive links through which they will upload their letters.
- An unofficial transcript from PSU.
Students interested in the B+M in English + Professional and Technical Writing are strongly encouraged to get in touch with Dr. Sarah Read, Director of Technical and Professional Writing (tech-director@pdx.edu), before submitting their application.
Continuing Requirements
- All courses numbered 500 and above must receive a grade of B or better.
- All undergraduate classes must receive a grade of C or better.
- Maintain a 3.3 or higher PSU GPA.
- Achieve a 3.0 or higher GPA each academic term after admission to the program.
- Resolve any incomplete courses within one term.
- No P/NP credit will be accepted for either program.
Students who have met the continuing requirements are guaranteed admission to the Master's in Professional and Technical Writing.
Advising
Students will work with their assigned undergraduate advisor and consult with the Director of Professional and Technical Writing on their admissions application for the B+M in English + Professional and Technical Writing. They will be assigned a graduate faculty advisor once admitted. During year 4, their primary advisor will continue to be their assigned undergraduate advisor but they will also consult with their assigned graduate faculty advisor on graduate-level courses. In year 5, they will continue on with their assigned graduate faculty advisor until they are ready to select a permanent advisor.