Writing

A student smiles in the Writing Center, laptop on the desk in front of her. A decorated bulletin board is visible in the background.
Program Type
B.A.
Est. Time to Complete
4 Years
School
School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies
Delivery Mode
On Campus
A student and professor look at a laptop screen together.

A Program for Aspiring Writers Who Want to Put Writing Skills to Work

At York College, the Writing major focuses on developing the ability to produce the kinds of written work that are valued across professional fields, ranging from technical and business writing, to creative writing and journalism. Hands-on experience is everywhere — you’ll want to check out our student-run literary magazines.

Develop your desired specializations with a wide selection of courses and subject areas, such as publishing, creative writing (fiction or poetry), teaching and tutoring writing, rhetoric, or technical communication.

Tracks are available in Professional Writing and Creative Writing, to help you hone in on your own style and field of interest.

Writing Courses

Your class schedule will include core courses for your major, Gen Next general education classes, and electives. 

Course NameCourse CodeCredits
Rhetorical CommunicationFCO 1053 Credits
Digital Writing: Theory and PracticeWRT 3203 Credits
Editing and StyleWRT 4103 Credits
Capstone Research SeminarWRT 4853 Credits

 

Careers in Writing

These are just a few of the many career opportunities graduates of the Writing degree may find:

Copywriter

Editor

Technical Writer

Public Relations Specialist

Communications Manager

Creative Writer

An advisor and a student sit on a couch in the seating area of a campus office. The student holds a piece of paper as they talk.

Build your dream career, one day at a time.

This is day one. From your first semester on campus through graduation day, York College offers expert advice, professional development opportunities, and personalized support to help you navigate the choices that influence your future. 

Explore resources for a successful college experience: 

Meet the Faculty

View All Faculty
Gabriel Cutrufello
Gabriel Cutrufello, Ph.D.
Chair of the Department of Communication and Writing
Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition
School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies
Emily Cope
Emily Murphy Cope, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Faculty Excellence
Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition
School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies
Travis Kurowski
Travis Kurowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Creative Writing
School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies
Michael Zerbe
Michael Zerbe, B.S., M.T.S.C., Ph.D.
Doctor of English
School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies
1/

Related Programs

Film and Media Arts

Film and Media Arts majors learn how to communicate stories effectively, whether they’re interested in filmmaking, video marketing, scriptwriting, or any other aspect of media production. York College offers a unique program, combining the scholarly study of film with the hands-on training in the practical skills you’ll need to land a job in the field of your choice. 

Integrated Marketing Communications

As an Integrated Marketing Communication major at York College, you’ll gain practical experience in a variety of areas: advertising, public relations, social media, brand management, and market research. More importantly, you’ll learn how these skills complement each other and impact an organization’s mission. Whether you’re interested in pitching ad campaigns, developing social media strategy, analyzing platform metrics, or anything in between, the IMC major will ensure that you’re prepared for a dynamic career—today, and in the years to come. 

English (Literary and Textual Studies)

The most powerful way to improve critical reading, thinking, and communication skills is to discover, debate, and research across the spectrum. Our challenging, diverse curriculum covers cultural studies, film, literature, rhetoric, creating writing, and philosophy. You’ll also be able to specialize in one of four tracks of focus — comparative literary studies, film and media studies, critical and cultural theory, and women and gender studies.

Marketing

Where there’s a product or service, there’s a need to price it and communicate its benefits to consumers. Under the instruction of mentoring faculty, you’ll develop an understanding of core marketing principles such as consumer orientation, business-to-business markets, developing marketing campaigns and more.

Mass Communication

Imagine if you could apply for a job after graduation and be able to tell a radio or television station, “Yes, I’ve used that before.” That’s the York College approach — we give you exposure to audio, radio, and digital video production, news gathering and reporting, copywriting, announcing, and field and control room equipment. It provides a strong foundation for broadcast communications jobs, a corporate career, or a future in digital filmmaking and video production.

Philosophy

Philosophy is the kind of major anyone can benefit from, because everyone needs to be able to express their thoughts, understand the viewpoints of others, and critically evaluate intellectual problems. As a philosophy major, you’ll study the abiding questions facing humankind: What is the nature of God? Why be moral? Is there an afterlife? What is truth and justice? But you’ll also have extensive instruction in building practical skills that mold you into an ideal candidate for post-graduate studies in law, medicine, business, and more.