12 Schools that Offer a BA in Writing

*5-Minute Read*

"What's your major?" they'd ask.

"Writing," I'd say. 

The responses to that varied. Some people thought I meant journalism. Others thought it was more specialized, like creative writing or technical writing. Nope, my BA in Writing covers both. 

Now, where can you get this degree? These are the twelve schools I've found:


1) Georgia Southern University
Public University in Hinesville, Georgia

(Photo Credit: US News and World Report)

The writing studies degree covers creative writing, professional and technical writing, rhetoric, composition, linguistics, digital media, literacy, and even cultural studies. Some of the program's courses are careers in writing and linguistics, tutoring writing, and writing the body. You can complete an internship for course credit. Writing studies is also available as a minor, and creative writing, professional and technical writing, and linguistics are majors in themselves.   

2) Hofstra University
Private University in Hempstead, New York (Long Island)

(Photo Credit: The Hofstra Chronicle)

Also called writing studies, this program emphasizes on professional writing, composition, and rhetoric (particularly digital rhetoric). Some courses that count towards the degree are writing for work and the world; examining narrative medicine; and public writing, private lives. You can complete an internship for course credit, and writing studies is also available as a minor. There are similar majors in the English department---creative writing, literature, and publishing studies.


3) Ithaca College
Private College in Ithaca, New York

(Photo Credit: Ithaca College's Twitter Account)

The writing degree consists of predominantly creative writing courses, but also emphasizes on rhetoric, writing for publications, professional writing, and literacy. The major also has four concentrations. Those concentrating in creative writing take courses such as writing the short novel. Those in nonfiction would take courses such as writing from cultural experience. A feature writing student would take magazine writing, while a professional writing student would take proposal and grant writing. Also, an internship for course credit is an option for all those with and without a concentration. You can declare writing as a minor, as well.

4) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Private University in Cambridge, Massachusetts (near Boston)

(Photo Credit: Transport Topics)

MIT isn't just for STEM students, though the writing degree does focus more heavily on science writing than most other schools. The program also consists of a wide variety of creative writing courses, such as interactive narrative and social justice & the documentary film. Writing is also offered as a minor and as a concentration within a different major, such as comparative media studies.

5) Millersville University
Public University in Millersville, Pennsylvania

(Photo Credit: academicsearch.org)

The writing studies degree encompasses courses in creative writing, literature, journalism, rhetoric, business writing, literacy, and digital media. Class examples are literary research and analysis, visual rhetoric, and computer-assisted reporting. All students are required to complete both an independent study and an internship. They are also required to have a minor which, in the English department, includes journalism, ESL/linguistics, and film studies.

6) Oral Roberts University
Private University in Tulsa, Oklahoma

(Photo Credit: nhclc.org)

The writing degree is made up of both literary and technical writing courses, but students pick one of the two to specialize in. Literary writers will gain experience in creative writing and writing for publication, while technical writers will gain experience in editing and research. Each have the opportunity to complete an internship for course credit, as well as join a club. Organizations relevant for writing majors are the English Club, Sigma Tau Delta (the international English honor society), and the C.S. Lewis and the Inklings Society. There's even an annual fall retreat called Walden Weekend held in the Oklahoma woods.

7) Point Loma Nazarene University
Private College in San Diego, California

(Photo Credit: US News & World Report)

The writing major mostly focuses on creative writing, literature, and linguistics. Students have multiple options for getting work experience while in school. Some are editors for PNLU's creative arts journal The Driftwood, and others write for PNLU's campus newspaper The Point Weekly. Internships are also available for course credit. You can even jump-start a novel, poetry collection, or screenplay by electing to do an honors project.

8) Rowan University
Public University in Glassboro, New Jersey

(Photo Credit: prismpub.com)

If you're interested in obtaining both a bachelor's and master's degree in writing within five years, this is the place to go. The writing arts degree encompasses creative writing, editing, rhetoric, linguistics, and literacy. There are three concentrations: creative writing, publishing and writing for the public, and technical and professional writing. Internships, publication writing, and scholarships are also available.

9) Texas Christian University
Private University in Fort Worth, Texas

(Photo Credit: Moi)

I won't even attempt to be impartial here. This is the best school ever! GO FROGS! RIFF RAM! Okay, I'll calm it down now. That beautiful building in the center of the photo is where I took some of my classes for the writing major. The program covers creative writing, technical writing, editing, rhetoric, digital media, and literacy. Some of the courses I took were Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshops 1 and 2, rhetoric of social media, and professional writing. I also completed two internships for course credit and have two concentrations within my degree. Come join the Horned Frog nation! 

10) University of Minnesota-Duluth
Public University in Duluth, Minnesota

(Photo Credit: The Business Journals)

The writing studies major encompasses creative writing, technical writing, rhetoric, design, and cultural theory. Classes include writing and cultures, journal and memoir writing, and document design & graphics. Independent studies and internships for course credit are available to students, but what is required is the capstone experience. This is when a pupil works one-on-one with his/her advisor, looking back at the student's work throughout all writing courses.

11) University of Wisconsin-Superior
Public University in Superior, Wisconsin

(Photo Credit: University of Wisconsin-Superior)

If you need a flexible route to obtain a bachelor's degree in writing, go to UW-Superior. The program is 100% online and has small class sizes. It encompasses creative writing, as well as professional and applied writing. There are courses in fiction, nature writing, social media writing, and more. All students are required to declare a minor and complete either an internship or capstone project.

12) William Peace University
Private College in Raleigh, North Carolina

(Photo Credit: niche.com)

Writing is available as both a major and minor at WPU. The major's core courses cover professional writing, communications, grammar, and media. There are elective courses in creative writing and writing for publication (the school's literary magazine PRISM). All of the faculty current publish work themselves, so it is an ideal place to do just that. 


The question I still often get is "What are you gonna do with that?" If you click on the links, most of the schools automatically have an answer to that question. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask me!

- Liv