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Professional Writing

Purdue University in West Lafayette

The professional writing major includes elements of technical writing, medical and healthcare writing, science writing, environmental writing, writing, and publishing. Students in professional writing love to write and enjoy organizing and presenting information in multiple media formats. The professional writing major is noted for cultivating expertise in writing for the digital workplace; in teaching and researching multimedia writing, visual rhetoric, usability, and emergent technologies; in print and digital publishing; and for emphasizing collaboration, community service, and open-source development and documentation.

Skills learned include the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to edit, revise, and design professional documents; to analyze, interpret, and present data; to present information clearly and creatively; and to understand how people use writing to teach, delight, and persuade. Students may focus on writing for the arts or writing for industry, and they must choose a minor that will give them additional expertise.

All liberal arts majors prepare students with the skills identified as contributing to managerial success:  communicating and listening well, possessing insights into others, creative/critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to make connections across complex ideas.

Degree in 3

Motivated, driven students can complete this major in three years. Degree in 3 allows students to enter the work force or graduate school a year earlier while also providing a cost-effective way to complete an undergraduate degree. Degree in 3 offers a great combination of cost-savings and the opportunity to accelerate your future and achieve your goals.

Plan of Study

Professional Writing Webpage

Transfer to Professional Writing

Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue's overall transfer criteria, as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the closed programs page to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.

Minimum GPA: 2.5 


Contact Information

Undergraduate Student Recruitment Office
(765) 494-6291
newstudent@purdue.edu

College of Liberal Arts
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Careers in Professional Writing

  •   Grant Writer
  •   Editor
  •   Technical Writer
  •   Publisher
  •   Marketing
  •   Attorney
  •   Advertising
  •   Public Relations
  •   Medical and Healthcare Writing
  •   Science Writing
  •   Environmental Writing
  •   Project Management

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