Writing Programs

The ability to put complex thoughts into written form, to communicate in writing to a range of audiences, and to use writing to learn is a cornerstone of success both in college and in the workplace. The writing curriculum offers these skills to students across the university through courses in general writing, business and technical writing, journalism, and creative writing. For students who wish to specialize in writing, the Communication, Writing and the Arts Department offer a number of programs: undergraduate majors in writing and in technical communication, an undergraduate minor in creative writing, and an M.S. in technical communication.

Writing Major B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in writing at Metropolitan State University gives students the opportunity to develop creativity, craft and flexibility as writers. Under the guidance of professional and creative writers with extensive publishing and teaching experience, students are introduced to a core set of genres, audiences and writing situations.

Students choose between two tracks for the writing major:  a creative writing track (including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and children's writing) and a professional writing track (including journalism and writing for corporations and nonprofits).

Although students take most of their courses within the writing curriculum, they are invited to include limited course work in other closely related areas, including screenwriting, playwriting, communication, literature, linguistics and media studies. All students are required to produce a portfolio before they graduate.

Students who pursue the professional writing track can explore a range of career opportunities. Relevant fields include editing, publishing, journalism, public relations, grant writing, employee communications, script writing, Web content development, community relations, marketing communications and speech writing.

Creative Writing Track (37-39 credits, not including prerequisites)

1. Prerequisites (2 credits)
   • COMM 171 Desktop Computer Design for Communication or equivalent
     
2. Required (21-23 credits)
   • INFS 115 Information Access or 
   • INFS 315 Searching Information or
   • INFS 316 Evaluating Information
   • WRIT 251 Introduction to Creative Writing
   • WRIT 357 Writers as Readers*
   • WRIT 371 Editing
   • WRIT 531 Advanced Writing or
   • WRIT 532 Writing About Place
   • WRIT 481 Advanced Creative Writing (capstone)
     
3. Electives (16 credits)
• WRIT 324 Topics in Writing
• WRIT 352 Writing Memoir and Creative Nonfiction*
• WRIT 353 Writing Short Fiction*
• WRIT 354 Writing Poetry*
• WRIT 355 Writing Children's Literature*
• WRIT 356 Writing Humor*
• WRIT 358 1000 Words or Less*
• WRIT 481 Advanced Creative Writing
• WRIT 532 Writing About Place
• WRIT 541 Writing for Publication and Profit
• WRIT 583 Writing Major Projects
• INFS 334 The Craft and Commerce of Book Publishing
• Four credits in professional writing (see list below under Professional Writing Track), screenwriting, playwriting, literature or linguistics.
  
  * May be repeated once for credit

Professional Writing Track (38 credits, not including prerequisites)

1. Prerequisites (2 credits)
   • COMM 171 Desktop Computer Design for Communication or equivalent
     
2. Required (26 credits)
   • INFS 315 Searching Information or
   • INFS 316 Evaluating Information
   • WRIT 301 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing
   • WRIT 341 Newswriting and Reporting or
   • WRIT 342 Writing for Magazines
   • WRIT 371 Editing
   • WRIT 461 Writing and Technical Communication Capstone
   • WRIT 531 Advanced Writing or
   • WRIT 532 Writing About Place
   • WRIT 372 Document and Information Design
     
3. Electives (12 credits)
• WRIT 261 Business Writing or
• WRIT 271 Technical Writing
• WRIT 324 Topics in Writing
• WRIT 343 Writing Social Commentary
• WRIT 350I Writing Internship 
• WRIT 541 Writing for Publication and Profit
• WRIT 571 Advanced Editing
• WRIT 573 Writing and Designing for the Web
• WRIT 575 Environmental Communication 
• WRIT 583 Writing Major Projects
• COMM 361 Managerial Communication
• COMM 380 Public Relations Writing
• HSA 363 Development, Marketing and Grant Writing
• INFS 334 The Craft and Commerce of Book Publishing
• MKTG 347 Advertising Copywriting
• Four credits in creative writing, screenwriting, playwriting, literature or linguistics.

For general information regarding Communication, Writing and Arts programs, please contact the CWA support staff, Lisa Ann McMahon, lisaann.mcmahon@metrostate.edu, 651-999-5940.

If you are interested in any one of the majors in Communication, Writing and Arts, please contact CAS advising, Donna Blacker, donna.blacker@metrostate.edu, 651-793-1455.

To contact the College of Arts and Sciences, please call 651-793-1440.