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Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

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 The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Regardless of what other subjects you're interested in and what careers you’re considering, PWE will improve your writing and communication skills — 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)

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • WRIT 301:
    Writing Theory and Practice

    Tradition and contemporary approaches to rhetoric and writing theory for professional writing and editing students who wish to develop their abilities to analyze and produce written texts.

  • WRIT 302:
    Editing

    A comprehensive approach to editing, including the correctness and effectiveness of a document, information design, and editorial responsibility. Students gain a realistic perspective on workplace practice through real-world scenarios, case studies, and technological applications.

  • WRIT 303:
    Multimedia Writing

    Study of communication and design issues in multimedia composition. Focuses on communication, creative expression, persuasion, interactivity, and rhetorical principles. Practice in composing multimedia documents such as online publications, interactive literary works, and tutorials.

  • WRIT 304:
    Business and Professional Writing

    Students analyze different writing contexts, meet the needs of different audiences, and organize and present material in letters, memos, and reports. Includes some research, online components, and a review of style, grammar and usage.

  • WRIT 305:
    Technical Writing

    Writing in scientific and technical fields. Introduces students to typical genres, workplace practices, document design, and conventions of writing for experts and non-experts.

  • ENGL 491:
    Professional Field Experience

    (May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours.) Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU 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 Eberly internship courses.
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • The West Virginia Dialect project 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 WVU radio station, Girls on the Run, the West Virginia and Regional History Center, the Morgantown Area Partnership.)
  • WVU offers several study-abroad opportunities 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 student organizations you can join.

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

The 2021 Research Report, How College Contributes to Workforce Success: Employer Views on What Matters Most, specifically notes that “internships lead the list of what makes employers ‘much more likely to consider’ hiring a candidate” (p.10). Internships are a signature component of this degree.

Since spring of 2019, WVU 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–the capstone internship course.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community 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’ll 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 WVU's Professional Writing and Editing major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Professional Writing and Editing at WVU 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.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

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

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU 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.

How to Complete the 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 WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

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