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Professional Writing and Editing, BA

The Professional Writing and Editing (PWE) major is ideal if you are interested in a career as a writer or editor, as well as related careers in business, government, non-profits and other professions that emphasize strong analytical and interpretive skills as well as creative problem-solving skills.

It also prepares you for advanced academic work in a range of fields, including the humanities and legal studies. You will put your skills to work in a capstone internship that prepares you for roles as writers, editors and analysts. If you double-major in PWE and another discipline are doubly-prepared to succeed given your writing skills and subject matter expertise!

Eligible PWE students may earn both the BA degree and a master's degree in five years.

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Regardless of what other subjects you're interested in and what careers you鈥檙e considering, PWE will improve your writing and communication skills 鈥 skills that are highly sought after by employers.

The Professional Writing and Editing major consists of 10 courses (30 credit hours): three core courses, one professional or technical writing course, a capstone internship and two approved courses related to a specific topical area.

The topics areas below serve as examples.

Editing and Publishing (choose 2)

  • WRIT 302 Editing
  • WRIT 303 Multimedia Writing
  • WRIT 306 (Renamed) Intro to Digital Humanities
  • WRIT 402 Publishing

OR
Creative Writing and Narrative Strategies (choose 2)

  • ENGL 312 Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction
  • ENGL 314 Creative Writing Workshop: Creative Nonfiction
  • ENGL 318 Special Topic in Creative Writing

OR
Theories of Literacy and Language (choose 2)

  • WRIT 309 Approaches to Teaching Composition
  • WRIT 321 History of the English Language
  • WRIT 460: Appalachian Englishes
  • WRIT 490: Teaching Practicum (Dialect Project or Tutoring)

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity 鈥 and enhance your curriculum 鈥 through the 探花社区 Honors College. Two programs are offered: for first- and second-year students and for third- and fourth-year students.

The 探花社区 Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Capstone internship and professional development seminar at the end of the degree.
  • Eligible students may earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years.
  • Earn academic credit through .
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.
Scholarships

Over 92% of 探花社区 freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • The studies language variation and fosters understanding and appreciation of the speech of West Virginians. Undergraduate research assistants study the intricate nature of Appalachian dialects while gathering cultural information.
  • Service-learning courses in which students develop project management skills and public-facing deliverables. (Recent partnerships have included the 探花社区 radio station, Girls on the Run, the West Virginia and Regional History Center, the Morgantown Area Partnership.)
  • 探花社区 offers several as well as a Certificate in Global Competency.
  • Digital/public writing opportunities (partnerships with the libraries, Wikipedia Edit-a-thon).

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

The 2021 Research Report, , specifically notes that 鈥渋nternships lead the list of what makes employers 鈥榤uch more likely to consider鈥 hiring a candidate鈥 (p.10). Internships are a signature component of this degree.

Since spring of 2019, 探花社区 students pursuing a Professional Writing and Editing emphasis within the English major have interned at over 42 distinct sites and several have resulted in job interviews or offers for permanent positions. Please see a sample of student projects from ENGL 491A鈥搕he capstone internship course.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We鈥檒l help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Career Options

Our Professional Writing and Editing majors and minors become lawyers, doctors, technical writers and editors, and professionals of all kinds. They work in publishing and technical fields, make a difference with nonprofits and government jobs, write and edit web content, and foster community-focused partnerships. Here's what some are doing now:

  • Editor/Editorial Consultant
  • Marketing Consultant
  • Technical Communications
  • Corporate Communications
  • Proposal Coordinator and Editor
  • Business Analyst-Editor
  • Grant Writer
  • Research Specialist
  • Website Architect or Editor
  • Documentation design
  • Government writing
  • Public advocacy (NGO work, non-profit)
  • Public policy (organizations that require analytical and research skills)
  • Speech writing
  • Teaching
  • Education (writing for education companies or agencies)

Who's Hiring Our Grads

  • Administrative Technology Solutions
  • AMEX International, Inc. (government contractor)
  • Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc.
  • Bodymind Institute in Wheeling, WV
  • Chevron in Pittsburgh
  • Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA)
  • Johns Hopkins University Press
  • JPMorgan Chase and Co.
  • KeyLogic Systems, Inc.
  • Kroger Marketing Team
  • Lockheed Martin in Clarksburg, WV
  • Metabiota
  • National Environmental Services Center (NESC)
  • National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE)
  • N-Play RE LLC
  • Quadax
  • Red Hat, Inc.
  • WebFX
  • Westinghouse Electric Company

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to 探花社区's Professional Writing and Editing major, first-time freshmen must meet 探花社区's . Interested in transferring? Review the .

Tuition and Aid

How much does Professional Writing and Editing at 探花社区 cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at 探花社区 Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any 探花社区 System campus.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending 探花社区 in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Professional Writing and Editing major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to 探花社区.

Review the to see if your institution is listed.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the 探花社区 family.

Want to know more about Professional Writing and Editing at 探花社区? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Visit

鈥嬧婨xperiencing campus is the best way to see if 探花社区 is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit 探花社区

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.