Education Career Articles

Connect Facebook Connect Twitter Connect Google+ Connect Pinterest Connect Stumbleupon

Degree Overview: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in Professional Writing

Majors Overview May 20, 2014

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programs in Professional Writing develop and combine important rhetoric, language, and writing skills with the understanding and knowledge of professional writing careers. Those who graduate from the BA degree program in Professional Writing can find work in publishing, government, journalism, and education.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree Programs in Professional Writing

Students enrolled in the Professional Writing Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program gain a combination of liberal arts studies with language skills, writing studies, and rhetorical studies. Students enrolled in many programs are prepared to seek work in the communication or professional writing fields. Students may choose electives to become adept at design and computer skills.

A professional portfolio that documents their writing during the tenure of the program is required to be built through many programs. Students in some programs may also be given the opportunity to publish work both outside and within their school, while some individuals pursuing some programs gain the opportunity of participating in internships pertinent to professional writing.

Education Requirements

Admission criteria typically require the submission of GED scores or high school transcripts. Many schools offer professional writing programs through their English departments, and during students’ freshman year, the schools may expect them to declare themselves as English majors.

Coursework

Coursework in a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Professional Writing program is devised to make students proficient in areas such as writing for multimedia, communications, journalism, and online information. The skills of students may be developed in topic areas such as:

•Public policy
•Writing
•Technology in writing
•Journalism
•Communication
•Grammar
•Linguistics
•Rhetoric
•Text design

Job and Wage Outlook

Graduates of a BA in Professional Writing program may seek occupations in publishing, government, education, or business, in positions such as:

•Writer
•Technical writer
•Web designer
•News analyst
•Editor
•Reporter
•Correspondent
•Public relations specialist

A job increase of 1% has been predicted for editing jobs over the 2010-2020 decade; a 6% job growth rate has been predicted during the same period for writers and authors (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, editors took home an average annual wage of $53,880, with $104,660 banked by the highest earners; during the same year, writers and authors took home an average annual wage of $55,940, with $117,860 banked by the highest earners among them.

Continuing Education Choices

Some bachelor’s graduates may opt for continued education by earning a master’s degree in professional writing. Students enrolled in graduate programs in professional writing can become knowledgeable about writing theory and hone their skills in communication, writing, and editing. The master’s program in the field helps students focus on their professional goals.

No schools found or there was a problem, please try again later. (error: 6, http code: 0)No schools found or there was a problem, please try again later. (error: 6, http code: 0)

Login to your account

Can't remember your Password ?

Register for this site!