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Take Your Writing to the Next Level

3 students working around a table in RUCWhether you plan to pursue a career as a professional writer, a teacher, or a job where writing is among your job duties, our bachelor’s degree in professional writing and rhetoric at the University of Michigan-Dearborn will prepare you for the dynamic and shifting world of written communication.

Our program, which is enriched with both theory and creativity, offers disciplined instruction and dynamic opportunities for writing in various settings and styles. You'll learn how to understand and write for multiple genres and audiences, foster inclusivity and accessibility in your writing, and review the writing of others. You’ll also learn how to revise your writing and to collaborate with others on writing projects in a wide variety of subjects.

Where a Professional Writing and Rhetoric Degree Will Take You

ChatGPT may be all the rage, but the demand for employees with powerful writing skills remains strong across a huge variety of industries and careers. Our alumni are working in various sectors–publishing, corporations, nonprofits, and governmental agencies–using their skills to influence and inspire others.

Career and Salary Outlook

The information in this table is meant to give you an idea of career opportunities with this degree. All information is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is meant to be averages across the United States for 2022. Please note that these figures reflect overall averages and may not represent entry-level salaries.

$80,050 Median Salary

Technical Writers

Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 4,800 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$66,750 Median Salary

Public Relations Specialists

Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 25,800 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$75,020 Median Salary

Editors

Employment of editors is projected to decline 4 percent from 2022 to 2032.

Despite declining employment, about 11,600 openings for editors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$73,690 Median Salary

Writers and Authors

Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 15,500 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$156,580 Median Salary

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

Overall employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 34,000 openings for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Program Details

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Application Deadlines

UM-Dearborn has rolling admissions throughout the year, and deadlines depend on your student type. Apply early, priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships may be given to earlier applicants.

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Tuition

Get started early on your financial planning for college. Complete the net price calculator to get an estimate of your cost to attend UM-Dearborn.

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Go Blue Guarantee

Students at UM-Dearborn are eligible for the Go Blue Guarantee - University of Michigan’s landmark promise of free tuition for high-achieving in-state undergraduate students from qualifying backgrounds. Major financial support is available for students who do not fully qualify.

Go Blue Guarantee

How to Get Involved

Students working in the library

You can write for the Michigan Journal, the daily student newspaper at UM-Dearborn; submit poetry and short stories to the Lyceum, our literary and fine arts journal; participate in events at the Writing Center After Dark, a creative writing group; help fellow students with writing assignments as a paid consultant at the Writing Center; assist with community outreach activities; check out any of the more than 150 student clubs and organizations on campus; and much more.

Next Steps

Become a part of the UM-Dearborn community and put your dreams to work for you.

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