Professional Writing University of Oklahoma

Overview

The Professional Writing programme at the University of Oklahoma provides students with a robust foundation in the business and craft of storytelling. This degree is specifically designed to help aspiring authors and media professionals navigate the complexities of the modern publishing landscape.

Students within this curriculum learn to communicate clearly and think logically while managing large-scale creative projects. The training focuses on practical outcomes, such as pitching stories and marketing oneself as a professional author in a competitive global market.

The course prepares individuals for diverse roles as freelance authors of short stories, magazine articles, and screenplays. By blending creative expression with business acumen, the university ensures that graduates are ready for careers in both print and online media.

Why Professional Writing at the University of Oklahoma?

The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication offers over 100,000 square feet of high-tech facilities. These include digital broadcast studios, video editing bays, and state-of-the-art multimedia labs that support student projects and professional development.

The institution boasts an incredible alumni network that spans the globe, providing students with unique networking and internship opportunities. Faculty members are published authors who bring real-world experience into the classroom to supplement traditional academic learning.

Students can also benefit from international study abroad opportunities in locations such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Puerto Rico. These programmes allow writers to explore travel writing and international media while gaining a global perspective on their craft.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 34414 per year
• National fee: USD 23490 per year
• Local fee: USD 5370 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Mass Communication
• Writing for Mass Media
• Practicum
• Professional Writing
• Writing the Novel
• Writing the Short Story
• Category Fiction
• Theories of Professional Writing
• Business of Professional Writing - Capstone
• Mass Communication Law
• Gaylord Electives

Careers with Professional Writing

Graduates from this programme are prepared for a wide variety of roles within the creative and corporate sectors. Many alumni pursue successful careers as novelists, screenwriters, and freelance journalists for major publications and digital platforms.

The skills acquired during the degree are highly transferable to industries such as law, government agencies, and corporate communications. Graduates often find employment within publishing houses, magazine editorial teams, and online media organisations.

Specific career paths include working as a publications specialist, editor, columnist, or newspaper journalist. The programme's focus on narrative structure and logical thinking also makes graduates valuable assets in any field requiring high-level communication expertise.