Online Writing Degree Programs

With an online writing degree there many career options that students in a creative writing degree program can choose from.

Many fields call for writers, for example print journalism for newspapers, journals, and magazines. Many graduates choose to become a book writer or novelist, magazine editor, professional blogger, or journalist just to mention a few. Other writers write for television and radio reporters. Copy writing and copy editing jobs are also more readily available, for example working for a book publisher. In addition other writers work as screen writers. Graduates of an online writing degree program have the potential to earn attractive salaries and freelance projects. In writing degree programs, students learn the basics of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, tone, style, and audience. Areas of focus are varied and can include journalism, creative writing, and technical writing.

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Selected Online Writing Degree Programs and Related Programs

Grand Canyon University

• BA in English for Secondary Teachers
• BS in Elementary Ed. with an Emphasis in English
• MED Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Western Governors University

• Endorsement Preparation Program - ELL/ESL

Jones International University

• M.Ed. in K-12 English as a Second Language Education
• M.Ed. in K-12 English as a Second Language: Bilingual Education
• M.Ed. in K-12 English as a Second Language: Bilingual Teacher Licensure
• M.Ed. In K-12 English as a Second Language: Teacher Licensure

Penn Foster Schools

• Freelance Writer

Writing Education and Training

Writing projects are a big part of the online creative writing degree program. Reading is also a major requirement most online creative writing courses. Some requirements for a writing graduate degree may include readings in American literature, classic literature, and world literature. Some online writing programs may also offer courses in business writing for students who wish to enter a business career. In addition course work would be required in research practices, style manuals, and English grammar.

Graduate level writing degree programs allow students to specialize in a particular area, for example a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Journalism. Bachelor degree programs fall under a degree area such as English literature, Interdisciplinary studies, professional writing, or a Bachelor of Arts in English or English literature with a creative writing concentration.

Online degrees in writing are available at various levels including:

• Associate of Arts in Creative Writing
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing
• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Masters in creative writing
• PhD in creative writing

Writing Careers

Creative writing careers and technical writing careers each require particular kind of specialized training. Many creative writing students chose to become English teachers (with a teaching certification), English professors, screen writer, television or movie writer, copy editors, technical writers, journalists for newspapers and magazines etc. Writing degrees teach students the finer points of creative writing, grant writing, writing white papers, writing press releases, public relations statements, etc. With an online writing degree you can also work in advertising, public relations, developing technical manuals and fund raising positions.

Creative writing students specialize in areas such as nonfiction or fiction, historical biographies, and children and adolescent literature. Other creative writing majors those to explore write song lyrics, plays, or poetry. Others chose advertising, business writing, advertising, editing, copy writing, technical writing, writing for online publications and web sites, blogging, and ghost writing.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The type of writing you do often determines your income. Business writers, or writers who have specific areas of expertise in industry or technology, i.e. technical writers, often earn more than those in creative writing. Successful screenwriters and novelists can make well into the six and seven figures but these jobs are more difficult to become successful as they are more competitive. In these case the writers often get agents to help them break into the field .The median salary for technical writers ranges from about $40,000 and $70,000 per year in the United States.

Top-level novelists, journalists and screenwriters often command salaries with six or seven figures. However, the majority of writers earn a salary between approximately $40,000 and $70,000 a year. Editorial assistants earn $20,000-$35,000 while copy editors earn $25,000-35,000 a year. Reporters and writers' income ranges from $20,000-125,000 and section editors make about $25,000-75,000. On the higher end of the scale, senior, managing, and executive can make $45,000-200,000 a year in the U.S. Many writers with an online writing degree also get freelance assignments to supplement their income.