MAPW Admission Requirements

Program Snapshot

  • MAPW/Certificate Program Format 
    • Face-to-Face (online classes are limited)
  • Program Cost
  • Credit Hours
    • MAPW: 36 credit hours
    • Certificate: 12 credit hours
  • Estimated Time to Complete Program
    • MAPW: 2-3 years
    • Certificate: 1-2 years  
  • Application Deadlines
    • Fall: July 1 
    • Spring: November 1

Virtual Info Sessions

Interested in the MAPW program? Learn more at our virtual information session! 

All sessions are 12:00-1:00 PM EST and meet on Microsoft Teams. Upcoming session dates:

January 15 February 12 March 19 April 16 May 7

Questions? Contact us at mapw@kennesaw.edu.

Application Materials

To be considered for admission to the M.A. in Professional Writing program or complete a graduate certificate, applicants must submit the following credentials to the Graduate Admissions Office through the online application process.

International applicants have additional requirements. Please visit this page for details.   

M.A. in Professional Writing

    • Submission of transcript(s)

    Have earned or in the process of completing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. 

  • A "Statement of Purpose" addressing their preparation for and goals for the MAPW program. Applicants should be sure to state their proposed areas of concentration and support and a rationale for these choices; they should address in detail their writing experiences, including any publications, writings for business or non-profit venues, dramatic productions, coursework that involved writing and the like; also, they may address any experiences in the professional fields as a writer, editor, script coordinator, writing teacher, or the like. The “Statement” should be between 1-2 single-spaced pages.

  • A writing sample comprised of some combination of the following items, not to exceed a total of 25 pages. For example, an applicant who plans to concentrate in creative writing with applied writing as a support area might submit creative writing prose and samples of workplace writing.

    • 15 or more pages of creative writing prose, double-spaced (may include excerpts);
    • A digital portfolio (may send links);
    • 10 or more pages of poetry, single spaced (one poem per page);
    • 15 or more pages of appropriately formatted dramatic writing for stage or screen (may include excerpts);
    • 15 or more pages of academic writing or essays, double-spaced (may include excerpts);
    • 15 or more pages of samples of editorial work with an explanatory preface detailing the applicant’s contribution;
    • 15 or more pages of samples of workplace writing or clips from publications

  • Submit your most up-to-date résumé or curriculum vitae (CV).

  • The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional.

  • Applicants may submit up to three (3) optional letters of recommendation.

Graduate Certificates

    • Submission of transcript(s)

    Have earned or in the process of completing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. 

  • A "Statement of Purpose" addressing their preparation for and goals for the graduate certificate you are interested in. Applicants should address in detail their writing experiences, including any publications, writings for business or non-profit venues, dramatic productions, coursework that involved writing and the like; also, they may address any experiences in the professional fields as a writer, editor, script coordinator, writing teacher, or the like. The “Statement” should be between 1-2 single-spaced pages.

  • A writing sample comprised of some combination of the following items, not to exceed a total of 25 pages. It is encouraged to include work related to the certificate area. 

    • 15 or more pages of creative writing prose, double-spaced (may include excerpts);
      A digital portfolio (may send links);
    • 10 or more pages of poetry, single spaced (one poem per page);
    • 15 or more pages of appropriately formatted dramatic writing for stage or screen (may include excerpts);
    • 15 or more pages of academic writing or essays, double-spaced (may include excerpts);
    • 15 or more pages of samples of editorial work with an explanatory preface detailing the applicant’s contribution;
    • 15 or more pages of samples of workplace writing or clips from publications
    • Letters of recommendation (up to three)
    • Résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)

Submission Guidelines

    • Complete the online Graduate Application for your term and year of interest.
    • Double-check that you are completing the application for the correct year and semester term. 

    *Please note as you consider our program that course modality is predominantly face-to-face for fall and spring semesters with limited online course offerings. Summer semester courses are online with limited face-to-face offerings.

  • Submit the nonrefundable $60.00 application processing fee via the online application.

  • Indicate on the electronic form whether or not you want to submit letters of recommendation and supply the email addresses of your recommenders. The system will contact the recommenders. 

  • Submit the Statement of Purpose, writing sample(s), and other documentation through the online portal.

Application Deadlines & Submission 

Transfer Credit & Grades

  • Up to nine (9) credit hours of graduate work from other accredited institutions may be transferred. Students will need to provide course descriptions and syllabi wherever possible, and the amount of credit granted will be at the discretion of the MAPW Director. 

    Course Transfer Requirements:

    • Must correspond to Kennesaw State University's curriculum
    • Minimum grade of “B”  or higher for the course
    • Course is no more than five years old

  • Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in every graduate‑level course. They must also achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 before they can advance to candidacy.

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