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John Carroll University / Academics / English / Undergraduate / Programs / Professional Writing Major

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Professional Writing

Professional Writing is a flexible program focused on the analysis and production of clear and effective written communication for multiple workplace situations.

The Professional Writing undergraduate program blends rigorous study in rhetoric, argument, and genre studies - skills that put audience and purpose at the center of writing strategies. Our courses draw from a broad range of options in new media, grant writing, editing, and technical writing.

Students who study professional writing go on to pursue careers in a wide range of writing and communication: market research, technical communication, editing, account executive, and social media director, including related fields where expertise in writing, argument, and rhetoric are valued (e.g., law, medicine, non-profit advocacy).

Professional Writing at John Carroll

As a professional writing student at John Carroll, you will be prepared to bring some of the world’s most useful skills to any field. The program begins with the same intensive core in which all English students at John Carroll start – close reading and analysis of classical literature and non-fiction. From there, you will engage with the theory and practice of writing for various purposes and in different print and digital media.

As a professional writing major, you will:

  • Gain internship experience writing in an industry where you want to work
  • Focus on the importance of purpose and audience, and genre
  • Open the door to careers in fields you never thought writing would help you excel

The Professional Writing program works well with a second major or minor in almost any field — political science, biology, business, classical studies and modern language, economics, data science, diversity, justice and social change, and many more.

Major Requirements

As a Professional Writing graduate, you will leave John Carroll with dynamic, cutting-edge writing capabilities, practical in nearly every industry. In addition to the John Carroll English foundation, professional writing majors can pursue more specialized areas in writing, such as film, digital media, business communications, writing for healthcare and technical writing.

The minor in professional writing augments literally any career – in medicine, business, environment, and beyond. You will be surprised just how quickly you become the go-to person wherever you work to proofread, analyze, and come up with ideas.

$74,650

Median salary per year

73.4%

Percentage of employers that want a candidate with strong written communication skills. A skill among the top three most desired overall.

12%

(Faster than average) job growth over the next decade

BA in Professional Writing Program Highlights

Real Teaching

At John Carroll, your professors are actively publishing, dynamic writers and instructors, which is why we boast one of the most respected Visiting Writers programs in Ohio. You’ll have a chance to meet and work with nationally known visitors to our campus, people like Billy Collins, Rita Dove, Simon Armitage, Paul Muldoon, and Robert Pinsky, in intimate discussion-based classes.

Amazing Experience

Find real-world, transformative experiences that build on your writing and reading skills, as well as your worldview through unique, collaborative opportunities like peace-building classes in Ireland, Environmental Literature courses, workshops with actors from the London Stage, or chances to publish something brilliant from start to publication of the Carroll Review. 

Jobs & Internships

Our students take advantage of a range of internship and professional development opportunities both on and off campus. Work as a consultant in the University Writing Center; serve as both an editor for or contributor to the Carroll Review, our student-run literary journal; or gain experience at every level of a campus newspaper, from beat reporter to executive editor at the award-winning Carroll News. Over your summer, land a paid internship with the Young Writers’ Workshop, a weeklong camp for students in 8th-12th grades. Or go off campus, and intern at organizations like Lake Erie Ink, Cleveland Magazine, American Greetings, or a number of locally headquartered, multinational companies.

Featured Faculty

“Our major offers students the opportunity to take courses in grant writing, editing, technical writing, and more. Students also complete writing projects for local companies and organizations as part of their coursework. It's an education that combines the best of the liberal arts tradition with preparation for a challenging workplace.”
— Tom Pace, Associate Professor, English

Featured Courses

EN 250 WRITING AND THE PROFESSIONS

This course applies real-world principles and strategies to the kind of writing that might be practical in surprising professions. It explores unique yet common strategies that will help you excel in business, government, science, and other industries.

EN 290 TUTOR WRITING ACROSS CONTEXTS

Last year, The John Carroll Writing Center held over 1900 appointments where students in every major met with mentors who could help them with their written works in various different classes. In this course, you will tutor in the Writing Center, and also work to understand theories and practices applicable to helping other writers, including providing constructive criticism and useful feedback.

EN 406 WRITING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Many of the courses at John Carroll will help you write for specific audiences and with specific understanding of that content-area’s specific nuances, Writing for the Environment is one of them. You will develop a keen understanding of the competing discourses that define our relationship to the natural world, and hone a specific skillset to frame environmental problems and argue for public action.

Calli Dieglo

Calli Dieglo, Professional Writing ‘18

Status: Market Research Coordinator at Moen Industries, Westlake, OH

"Writing skills are invaluable and, especially in the business world, they are not always prevalent. As an English major at John Carroll, I not only practiced my appreciation for and understanding of literature, but also how to write and communicate both eloquently and effectively. Moen's recognition of the value of skilled writers speaks volumes for the need for English/Writing graduates in the workforce, and I have the John Carroll English Department to thank for providing me with that foundation."

Alumni Across The Region Map

Professional Writing Alumni Across the Region

John Carroll University alumni live, work, teach and support communities throughout the region from Northeast Ohio to Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Columbus, Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh, New York City, Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

English Top Employers

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