Professional Writing (PW) is an ideal major for students who love to write and want to learn how to write in a wide variety of public and professional contexts. In Professional Writing, students will learn rhetorical theories and strategies that will help them write effectively in a wide range of print and digital media for a variety of audiences.

The Professional Writing major enables students to choose from an array of elective courses and tailor their learning for their professional goals and interests. In the Professional Writing major, students have a wide range of courses to choose from, including courses in digital media, global communications, editing/publishing, public writing, rhetoric, technical communication, etc. In addition to Professional Writing courses, students may also take for credit in the major courses from other programs, including Creative Writing, Interactive Media Studies, Journalism, Linguistics, Literature, Media and Culture, and Strategic Communication.

Students in writing courses in the PW major receive individualized attention and extensive feedback on their writing at all stages of the process, from researching and drafting to revising, editing, and publishing. All majors have advisors with whom they have the opportunity to meet often to discuss course selection and career planning.