Academics

Professional Writing

General Information
A major in Professional Writing provides an education firmly grounded in the liberal arts, while preparing students for a wide range of careers. A Professional Writing major is also excellent preparation for students who wish to pursue law school or graduate work in professional or technical writing, creative writing, rhetoric and composition, media studies, communication, and other fields.

Required Courses
Department of English and Humanities

Career Opportunities

Advertising
Business Writing
Communications Specialist
Editing
Freelance Writing
Government Writing
Grant Writing
Law School
Management Positions
Music Industry
Political Speech Writing
Print and Television Journalism
Public Relations
Social Services Writing
Sports Writing
Technical Writing
Web Design
Writing Professor

Objectives
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing provides students with a deep understanding of the varied techniques and versatility necessary to find satisfying careers in fields where communication skills are valued. (And, after all, what fields don't value communication skills?) Our majors share an affection for language and what it can do, and a deep commitment to the creativity inherent in all uses of writing.

The program emphasizes the "professional" in Professional Writing, providing students with the ability to produce the kinds of writing that are valued in varied fields from technical and business writing, to creative writing and journalism. More specifically, the Professional Writing major provides students with the following:

Marketable communication skills such as editing, web design, and business writing
Experiential learning through an on-site internship in professional writing
A wide range of critical thinking and problem-solving skills
A professional portfolio of print- and web-based writing
A liberal-arts based foundation in the history and theory of language
Guided experience in writing for a wide range of situations using a variety of stylistic options.