People who are interested in pursuing writing as a career can obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any writing-related field. Programs like creative writing, technical writing, journalism, or speech writing are offered in this field.
What Is Writing?
Writing is the process of using words and symbols to communicate certain ideas. It is a professional field where experts talk to their audiences through written words. Novelists, biographers, screenwriters, copywriters, and journalists come under the umbrella of writers. Some of these professionals work in the film industry, while others prefer to work for the media industry. However, many of them write their own books and may gain worldwide acknowledgment.
What Can You Do with A Degree in Writing?
A writing degree educates students about various details related to the art of writing and develops different skills in them. It is an interdisciplinary field with extreme versatility. Individuals who have a degree in writing are prepared to pursue a career in technical writing and other creative fields. However, they have other professional career options open to them as well. These are some of the career options for graduates who have a degree in writing.
Technical Writers
Also known as technical communicators, technical writers prepare journal articles, how-to guides, instruction manuals, and supporting documents to easily communicate technical and complex information. These professionals also develop, collect, and transfer information through a firm’s communications channels.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $72,850 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 8% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $76,860 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 6,650 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $93,910 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Public Relations Specialists
Public relations specialists develop and maintain a favorable image of their client or the firm they represent. They use various methods like social media campaigns and media releases to mold the perception of the public.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $61,150 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 6% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $70,190 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 26,700 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $109,390 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Writers and Authors
Writers and authors create content for multiple media platforms like advertisements, blogs, magazines, plays, books, movies, and televisions scripts. They create fiction, non-fiction, and biographies. Some of these professionals are freelancers, while others are self-employed.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $63,200 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 0% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $73,860 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 7,840 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $103,980 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
What to Expect from a Writing Degree?
A writing degree is offered at various colleges all across the country. Each college has its own curriculum; however, their ultimate goal is to help students become professional writers. The degree allows students to specialize in a field like poetry, literature, technical writing, fictional writing, and rhetoric. It offers courses like composition, fiction writing, American literature, communication ethics, introduction to creative writing, novel writing, etc. Students can get an undergraduate or graduate degree in writing.
How to Choose a Writing Degree?
Consider the following things while choosing a degree in writing:
- Choose an accredited program
- Consider the time needed to complete the program
- Consider the total cost of the program
- Consider the location of the college
- Check if they are offering an online program
- Check if they are offering your desired specialization
- Check the criteria of the scholarships being offered
Writing Degree Admission Requirements
Students who want to get an undergraduate degree in writing need to have a high school diploma and SAT/ACT scores. Those who wish to get enrolled in a graduate program should have a bachelor’s degree, letters of recommendation, writing samples, and good GRE scores. Each college may have different requirements.