Become a wordsmith. You'll do that here.

A degree in Writing allows you to gain knowledge about professional writing, practical and professional communication, stylistics, rhetorical theory, publishing, and text production.

What You’ll Do

As Writing major at Southeast, you’ll gain incredible real-world learning experience including many opportunities outside the classroom.

  • Work closely with highly qualified, published and award-winning faculty in small class settings.
  • Gain skills necessary for a wide array of career paths, and work in publishing, communication, journalism, and advertising fields.
  • Learn to write in many formats including professional reviews, creative writing, critical analysis, and report writing.
  • Become part of a thriving writing community that holds regular readings of student work and readings by nationally known writers.
  • Gain professional experience with the Department’s literary journals, the Writing Center, or the University Press. 

What Can You Do with a Writing Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Missouri Botanical Gardens, publicity and corporate giving
  • Southern Illinois University Press, marketing director
  • Sourcebooks Press in Chicago, graphics and editing
  • Oxford University Press, marketing
  • Beacon Industries, communications director
  • Arkansas State University, writing programs director
  • MCI, technical writing
  • Wilson Corporation, technical writing
  • May Company, copywriting
  • Homeland Security magazine, lead writer
  • American Literary Review, editor
  • The Spread Effect Marketing, graphics editor and writer
  • Sullivan Branding, editor
  • August Home Publishing, senior editor
  • Pierce College, Dean of Arts and Humanities
  • National Endowment for the Humanities, intern
  • Bedford St. Martins Press, Humanities specialist
  • Jack Henry & Associates, lead technical writer
  • Ameren Missouri, communications and training coordinator

Graduate School and Program Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Princeton University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Southern Illinois University
  • University of Gloucestershire in England
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Missouri Law School
  • St. Louis University Law School
  • Binghamton University
  • University of Michigan Law School
  • University of North Texas
  • University of Denver Publishing Program
  • Oklahoma State University
  • University of Maryland

Writing (BA) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $73k 

    Editor

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an editor is $73,080.

  • $80k

    Technical Writer

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a technical writer is $79,960.

  • $65k

    Historian

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a historian is $64,540.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As a writing major, you’ll increase your knowledge of professional and practical communication, writing styles, creative writing, publishing, and rhetorical theory. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required.

Required Courses:

  • EN275 Introduction to Creative Writing (3) 
  • EN303 Content Copywriting (3) 
  • EN305 Writing for the Professions (3) 
  • EN307 Writing for New Media (3) 
  • EN309 Writing for Science and Technology (3) 
  • EN375 Intermediate Creative Writing (3) 
  • EN376 Advanced Composition (3) 
  • EN470 Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry (3) 
  • EN478 Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction (3) 
  • EN550 Style in Writing (3) 
  • EN572 Creative Nonfiction (3) 

Literature – choose 3 hours 

  • Any LI prefix course (3) 

Pedagogy and Linguistics – choose 3 hours 

  • EN378 Grammars of English (3) 
  • EN379 Composition in Secondary Schools (3) 
  • LI385 Teaching Literature and Nonfiction Texts in Secondary Schools (3) 
  • EN457 Composition Theory & Pedagogy (3) 
  • EN448 Principles of Language (3) 
  • EN486 Sociolinguistics (3) 
  • EN500 History of the English Language (3) 
  • TL525 English as a Second/Foreign Language: Learning and Teaching (3) 
  • TL585 Methods and Curriculum Design for Teaching English Language Learners (3) 

Electives – choose 9 hours 

  • EN325 Topics in Writing* (3) 
  • EN423 Visual Rhetoric (3) 
  • EN435 Internship** (3) 
  • ENxxx (3) 
  • LIxxx (3) 
  • TLxxx (3) 

* Repeatable once if the topic differs 

** Not repeatable for credit in the major 

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major.  

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences –6 hours 
  • Constitution Requirement –3 hours 
  • Written Communication –6 hours 
  • Oral Communication –3 hours 
  • Natural Sciences –7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab) 
  • Mathematics –3 hours 
  • Humanities & Fine Arts –9 hours (from at least two disciplines) 
  • Additional requirements –5 hours (to include UI100 for native students) 
  • Civics examination  

Freshman Year 

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • Literature Course (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
 Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • EN140 (3) 
  • EN275 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Sophomore Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • EN305 (3)
  • EN376 (3) 
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
 Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • EN303 (3) 
  • EN375 (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Junior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • EN309 (3) 
  • EN478 (3) 
  • Pedagogy and Linguistics (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • EN307 (3) 
  • EN470 (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Senior Year 

Fall Semester (14 Hours) 
  • EN550 (3) 
  • EN572 (3) 
  • Program Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (2) 
 Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • Program Elective (3) 
  • Program Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3)

 *Contact your advisor for elective or minor options. 

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Experiential Learning

  • Center for Faulkner Studies

    The Center for Faulkner Studies is devoted to the study of William Faulkner, sole owner and proprietor of Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi.
  • University Press

    Southeast Missouri State University Press serves as a first-rate publisher in our region and as a working laboratory for students interested in learning the art and skills of literary publishing.
  • The Cape Rock

    The Cape Rock is one of the oldest literary journals in the nation. It provides a forum for new and established poets and photographers.
  • Big Muddy

    Big Muddy is an 8.5 x 5.5 perfect bound, color-cover, semi-annual publication that explores multidisciplinary issues and events concerning the 10-state area that borders the Mississippi River, from the United States/Canadian border to Louisiana's Gulf Coast.
Contact Us
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