4+1 BA/MA in Professional Writing

Accelerate Your Degree. Expand Your Expertise.

The 4+1 BA/MA in Professional Writing at the University of Cincinnati lets motivated undergraduate students earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Professional Writing in just five years.

By taking graduate-level courses during your senior year, you’ll deepen your expertise, save time and tuition, and launch your professional writing career with advanced credentials.

Program Overview

The 4+1 option is designed for high-achieving students in Rhetoric and Professional Writing (RPW) who plan to pursue graduate study. Students in the program may take up to nine (9) graduate credit hours during their senior year. These courses will later count toward the MA in Professional Writing after formal admission to the Graduate College.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the 4+1 BA/MA program, students must meet the following requirements:

  • 12 undergraduate credit hours in Rhetoric and Professional Writing (RPW) courses
  •  9 graduate credit hours in Professional Writing (PWRT) courses completed during the senior year
  •  2 faculty recommendations from Department of English faculty

All graduate-level courses must be pre-approved by your RPW advisor (not your A&S advisor).

Undergraduate Coursework

Students must complete 12 hours of RPW courses as part of the 120 hours required for undergraduate graduation.

Graduate Coursework

During their senior year, students complete three (3) graduate-level Professional Writing (PWRT) courses (totaling 9 credit hours). These courses do not count toward the 120 undergraduate credit hours.

Students must register under the PWRT designation.

Possible Graduate Courses: PWRT 6025, 6026, 6022, 6023, 6024, 6029, 7001, 7029, 7042, 7043, 7044, 7045, 7049

Faculty Recommendations

Applicants must secure two faculty recommendations from members of the Department of English. Be sure to contact your faculty recommenders in advance to confirm their support.

How to Apply

    1. Complete the 4+1 Declaration Form

    2. Obtain two faculty recommendations

    3. Meet with your RPW advisor to pre-approve your graduate courses

    4.  Submit your completed form and questions to: Dr. Lora Anderson - lora.anderson@uc.edu