COURSE CURRICULUM

The Writing major at Southeast Missouri State University is a 48-hour program that develops advanced skills in creative, professional, and technical writing, combining theory with practical application across multiple forms of communication. The curriculum includes core courses such as creative writing, copywriting, professional writing, new media writing, science and technology writing, advanced composition, style in writing, and specialized workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, helping students build strong abilities in both expressive and applied writing. Alongside this, students take literature courses to strengthen critical reading and analysis skills, as well as pedagogy and linguistics courses that explore grammar, language structure, composition theory, sociolinguistics, and English language teaching methods, offering pathways into education or language-focused careers. Elective options such as internships, visual rhetoric, and additional writing or literature studies allow students to tailor the degree toward careers in publishing, journalism, advertising, content creation, technical writing, or education. The program emphasizes small class sizes and close mentorship from experienced faculty, along with real-world experiences through writing centers, literary journals, workshops, and readings with visiting writers, giving students professional exposure and portfolio development opportunities. Overall, the degree prepares graduates to communicate effectively across diverse formats and industries while developing creativity, analytical thinking, and strong professional writing skills needed in modern communication fields.