Chatham University Master's Professional Writing

Hi, Everyone.

I just discovered this forum today, and I'm surprised no one has written about Chatham University's Master of Professional Writing (MPW) program.

I recently earned my MPW from that university, and I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has about it. Feel free to send me a private message or post a question here.

Thanks,

Bryan

 

A review on Chatham's MPW program

Chatham University's Master of Professional Writing (MPW) program is well designed, and definitely gave me a solid skill set that I can apply across many disciplines.

I enrolled in my first class in August of 2008, and I graduated in December 2009. Over the course of the 16 months, I honed my writing skills and learned how to communicate more effectively.

The courses were only seven to eight weeks long, so it didn't give me much time to dig deeply into the subjects. In some respects that was good and bad. For instance, math is not my strong point, so I was thankful that I only had to write about numbers for a duration of two months. However, I would have liked to have spent more time learning how to write speeches, and craft better business documents.

I never had any super long assignments; my biggest project, outside of the final class, was 14 pages. I think that's because Chatham tries to mimic the business world by giving students work that's more applicable to everyday situations.

Some of the teachers were stellar; others were fine, and a few were horrible. Stay away from Ms. El Abadi.

The biggest drawback to the degree was the cost. It was just over $21,000. I now owe a ton of money in student loans, but my newly earned master's has helped me land a teaching job working for a U.S. university in China, so I'm already reaping dividends from it.

I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to sharpen their writing skills and learn how to better communicate in the written word. I feel I learned a lot from the program, but I don't know that it was worth quite what I paid for it. With that said, would I do it again? Yes.

With discipline, students can easily hammer out two classes every eight weeks, and graduate in three semesters.

If anyone has many more questions, feel free to post them here. I subscribed to this thread, so I'll be notified automatically if you'd like me to shed some additional light on Chatham's MPW.

 

I don't have any questions, but feel free to share your experiences. Others searching for information may find your post.

 

For those who may not know, Chatham University is a smallish RA school located in Pittsburg. They offer a nice selection of distance learning degree programs.

Chatham University

 

Their undergraduate degrees online will run you over $80,000 and grad degrees almost $30,000.

What did it cost you UAtraveler for your MPW?

 

My degree ended up costing me about $21,000. I'm not sure where people are coming up with the figure of $80,000.

The direct link to the program I enrolled in is:

Professional Writing | Chatham University

I hope this helps.

 

Chatham MPW

Hi Bryan,
I've been considering the mpw program at chatham..can you tell me if it made you a better writer than you were before? It sounds like your experience was overall a positive one, but was there anything their program lacked as well? Thanks, Cynthia

 

Good question Cynthia...

 

Chatham

When I lived in PA, Chatham was a women's college. Origin of the phrase, "Chat 'em up" I think.

 

Great explanation! I was thinking about doing the part time schooling while working on my DA from HMU.

Sounds great!

I think this it will serve me well, for I do possess an BA in English and a MA in Humanities. And with my DA in Humanities and a MPW I will be done with higher education. Once done, I do plan on getting some certificates in the writing realm to encompass my Liberal education.

Thanks for the information, UAtraveler.

 

Hi, Everyone.

I can tell you without a doubt that the program helped me become a better writer. I still have a long way to go; however, the principles I learned have continually helped me in my job. I now know how to synthesize information better and write more effectively. Chatham's program definitely helps people fine tune their writing skills, and for that alone, I think the program is worth it. Many of the professors are authors, and work in the fields of the subjects they teach; they definitely bring wisdom and expertise to the courses.

 

Hello UAtraveler -

I'm considering pursuing a master's degree at Chatham, but I've heard that the instructors in the professional writing program are hit-and-miss. You mentioned Ms. El Abadi not being very good - which teachers were good?

Also, were you able to get administrative support when you needed it? I've heard that each student is assigned an advisor to help them with administrative/technical problems, but is it easy to stay in touch with your advisor?

 

I just thought I would mention that WNMU has a masters degree in English/Writing that is half the cost of the Chatham masters degree.
Virtual Campus - Online Programs

 

And they are RA. Kool!

 

Although you can earn an MA from WNMU for half the price of Chatham, it will take you double the time, unless you shell out the cash for out of state tuition. I started my master's in August of 2008 and graduated in December 2009. Had I hustled, I could have finished in the summer of 2009.

The best instructors I had were Sandra Stanko, Deesha Philywa, and Mara Creegan. With the exception of Ms. El Abadi, who I already mentioned, the other instructors did an all right job.

 

If anyone is interested in a BA in such (Professional Writing) for a solid foundation for a Master's degree in Professional Writing, check this out:

B.A. Technical and Professional Writing

The curriculum prepares students for graduate study in English, French, and other allied fields such as law, medicine, and communications. Additionally, graduates are prepared to teach in public schools and for careers in publishing, public relations, government, business, and industry.

FVSU Distance Education

 

I am working as a writer in Taipei. I plan to spend many years as a writer in Asia. Do you think that the degree from Chatham is worth it?

Did you learn anything useful?

Furthermore having an M.A. in Technical Writing will improve my chances of getting academic jobs in Asia.

 

Hello Writer in China, and welcome to DegreeInfo. :beerchug: I'm currently attending Chatham's online MPW program, I have three classes left. I really like the program, it has helped me tremendously. Am I a better writer? Absolutely, do I still have a way to go? Of course. Like any other craft, writing, improves with practice, the more you do it, the better you get at it. My bosses have recognized the importance of writing well in the workplace, so much, that they have allowed me to run writing workshops twice a month.

I've also done some adjunct work at a community college where I live, so in my case, the Chatham degree has been worth it. Will it be worth it to you? Only you have that answer. Some questions to consider, how are you paying for the degree? The degree itself will run you $22,000. How are you paying for it? These are some of the questions you might want to ask yourself. Also, you've mentioned that are already working as a writer, what kind of writing do you do? Chatham does not have a specific writing genre, you will do financial writing, internet(new media) writing, technical writing, business writing and so forth.

Like UAtraveler mentioned before, classes are seven weeks in length. The other question that I have is what do you want out of the program? You mentioned an MA in technical writing, if technical writing is your ultimate goal, then Chatham might not be the best fit for you. Chatham has only one technical writing class, this is not to say that you will not be ready, however, in my opinion, a technical writing degree will serve you better, if that is what you want to do. Chatham's focus is a broad-based approach to writing. So in closing will I recommend the program? Absolutely, can you find something cheaper? Of course, are the professors well qualified? Yes, I have yet to have had a bad one (knocks on wood). I've had a NY Times writer, a Wall Street Journal writer, a Newsweek, and a Times magazine writer, as well as a CNN.com writer, so, if you get my drift, all of my professors have been excellent thus far. Send me a PM if you have any more questions.

 

Actually it was past midnight here in Taipei. I meant to say an M.A. in Professional Writing. Currently I write business English lessons for an online platform.

One question I have is whether one can do the M.A. program one class at a time at Chatham? Can I take one class each semester for ten semesters? I think it is about $2100 per class.

 

My goal is to get a job with an English News Source in Asia. Or teach writing at a university in Asia and do freelance writing on the side.