Master’s in Composition – Biographical Writing Degree Online Turn True Stories into Lasting Narratives
36
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: August 24, 2026 | September 21, 2026 | October 26, 2026
Available Fall 2026
Bring Real Lives to the Page Through a Biographical Writing Master’s Degree
Every life holds a story, and thoughtful writers can help shape those stories with honesty, care, and purpose. Readers often look to biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs for more than facts. They want meaning, context, and a deeper look at the choices, struggles, and experiences that shape a person’s life.
Liberty’s Master of Arts (MA) in Composition – Biographical Writing offers graduate-level study in writing, rhetoric, and creative nonfiction. In this biographical writing master’s degree, you will study how strong life writing depends on both careful research and narrative craft. The program connects composition theory with the art of telling true stories in clear and compelling ways. Through this focus, you can explore how writers represent real people with accuracy, empathy, and integrity.
Because strong writing skills are valued across many fields, this biographical writing degree online can apply to industries such as publishing, education, journalism, media, nonprofit work, and professional writing. As you study the art of biographical writing, you can see how this important creative form contributes to historical preservation, personal storytelling, editorial work, and more.
For students enrolling today, who are placed on the current academic year’s degree completion plan, the officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts (MA) in Composition – Biographical Writing. Degree details, including name, may be subject to change between academic terms.
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What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty’s Master’s in Composition – Biographical Writing Degree?
At Liberty, we believe your studies should fit seamlessly into your life. That’s why we’ve designed 100% online courses that can help you pursue a master’s degree in writing while balancing work, family, and community commitments. Because the program has no set login times, you can access course materials on your schedule.
As a pioneer in distance education, Liberty has extensive experience developing programs that balance flexibility with academic rigor. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This institutional accreditation reflects our adherence to recognized standards for academic quality.
Because this program emphasizes research-driven nonfiction and revision, faculty guidance can be especially valuable as you refine your writing voice. At Liberty, our courses are taught by professors who hold both strong academic credentials and extensive professional writing experience. They can provide constructive feedback on your assignments and offer insight into the realities of the industry.
During your studies, you won’t have to navigate the writing process alone. Through our Online Writing Center, you can access grammar assistance, formatting and citation style resources, and feedback from tutors who are dedicated to helping you improve your writing. In addition, our Career Services can allow you to access resources focused on interview preparation, résumé and cover letter guidance, and job search tools – so you can prepare to pursue writing-related opportunities after graduation.
What Will You Study in a Composition and Biographical Writing Master’s Degree?
In this master’s degree in writing and composition, you will study core topics such as classical rhetoric, modern rhetoric, composition studies, literary theory, and research methods. These areas can help you learn how writers build arguments, analyze texts, conduct research, and communicate ideas with clarity. You will also examine how to teach effective writing skills to others.
The biographical writing specialization focuses on the major forms of life writing. You will explore techniques for crafting biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs while considering how each form handles voice, evidence, scope, and personal reflection. Biography study centers on writing about another person’s life, while studies in autobiography and memoir writing focus on how to convey your own experiences in different ways. Through a creative nonfiction workshop, you can learn about important aspects of revision and publication as they relate to works such as travel and food articles, memoirs, and biographies.
The program also offers elective courses that allow you to tailor your studies to fit your specific writing interests and professional goals. Depending on your selections, you can delve into areas such as persuasive tactics, cultural engagement, English grammar, grant writing, fiction writing, technical writing, or speech writing. These electives can help broaden your writing expertise while complementing your studies in composition and biographical writing.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Author
- Biographer
- Editor
- Journalist
- Postsecondary writing instructor
- Writing tutor
Featured Courses
- WRIT 607 – Writing Biographies
- WRIT 608 – Writing Autobiographies
- WRIT 609 – Writing Memoirs
- WRIT 652 – Creative Nonfiction Workshop
Course guides coming soon
Course Format
We offer both 8-week and full-semester sub-terms each semester. While many online courses can be taken in the 8-week format, some programs require courses that must be taken in the full-semester term. Some courses may require additional approvals or information prior to registration.
In addition to these formats, some courses may be required to be taken in intensive or alternative formats, which may include scheduled meeting times, travel to campus, or required login sessions.
You can view specific sub-term offerings and requirements in the Course Registration Tool.
Degree Information
- This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences.
- View the Graduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan coming soon
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Graduate Full Time | $580/Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Part Time | $645/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $290/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s Master’s in Composition – Biographical Writing Online Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Admission to this program requires a Statement of Purpose. Applicants must submit a 300- to 500-word statement as to why they want to pursue a Master of Arts in Composition at Liberty University.
- Department Admission Review approval required – upon all documents being received on the checklist, the application will be sent for admission review by the department. This review can take 1-2 full business days for review (24-48 hours).
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy
Please see the Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liberty’s Master’s Degree in Writing Biographies
What can I do with a master’s in writing?
Online writing degree programs can help support career paths in education, publishing, editing, journalism, authorship, and professional communication. Depending on your background and goals, you can prepare to pursue roles such as writer, editor, professor, journalist, or writing tutor.
Liberty’s program includes focused study in writing biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. That focus can be especially useful if you want to work with true stories, personal narratives, historical subjects, or reflective nonfiction projects.
Which degree is best for writers?
The best writing degree for you depends on your interests and goals. Liberty offers a variety of graduate writing programs, including a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, a Master of Arts in Professional Writing, and a Master of Arts in Composition. That way, you can pick the degree that fits you best and explore the specific type of writing that interests you!
Can I get a writing degree online?
Yes! You can earn a writing degree online through a program that offers remote coursework and faculty-guided study. Our biographical writing master’s degree is offered in a 100% online format, which can provide flexibility if you’re balancing graduate school with other responsibilities.
What is the difference between a memoir and a biography?
A memoir is written from the author’s own perspective and usually focuses on selected experiences, themes, or seasons of life. In contrast, a biography tells the story of another person’s life through careful research, documentation, and narrative craft.
Is a memoir an autobiography?
Memoirs and autobiographies are related, but they are not the same. An autobiography typically covers the broader span of the author’s life in chronological order, while a memoir homes in on specific memories, emotions, relationships, events, or themes from the author’s life.
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