Whether it be in a creative, technical or professional context--compelling writing impacts the world. Learn to think critically and creatively and to write effectively for a variety of purposes in a wide range of genres.
Writing Studies prepares you to be verbally and visually literate, encouraging your growth as a learner, citizen and professional. You can choose to specialize in either Creative Writing or Technical Communication.
In this major you will learn to:
- Write in multiple genres for diverse audiences.
- Apply writing and communication design skills in multiple contexts and for a range of purposes.
- Develop an effective and self-aware writing process from invention to production.
- Collaborate effectively in writing and information design.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of writing in creating knowledge through artistic expression, critical inquiry and applied research.
- Develop the ability to learn, adapt and use technologies and new media essential to their lives and careers.
Affiliated Faculty
Career Options
The major in Writing Studies provides students with solid skills for seeking employment involving writing, including careers in education, publishing, public relations, grant writing and marketing.
Creative Writing Track
The Creative Writing track is a distinctive literary arts program that emphasizes engaged writing in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. The core of the creative writing program at UW Tacoma is innovation and its commitment to intersections with a variety of academic programs, as well as its foundational value of interdisciplinarity. With a sustainable core curriculum and contemporary-themed courses, students are offered multiple pathways to explore the literary arts both in and beyond the classroom.
Students on the creative writing track are part of an intimate community of peers dedicated to each other’s learning and expression in intersecting creative genres. In addition, students are offered the opportunity to meet local and national writers through reading series and visiting writers, while learning from core creative writing faculty who publish in their fields.
Opportunities for professionalization are available not only in writing, but also editorial and event planning for the university’s newspaper, The Ledger, and literary journal, Tahoma West. The UW Tacoma student group, The Wordlings, offers on-campus community, while local literary organizations and open mics enrich student experience in creative writing around the Puget Sound. This program provides a strong educational base for those who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, as well as offering professional advice for those interested in other fields of study or careers.
Technical Communication Track
Develop skills needed to communicate complex information in a way that is usable, compelling and grounded in user-centered design. Learn how to identify audience needs and make changes based on applied research.
Courses in writing, research and technical topics emphasize real-world design projects as you develop creatively and collaborative problem-solving skills.
The Technical Communication track positions you for careers in technical writing, user experience (UX) and usability as well as other fields where scientific and technical writing plays a central role. Gain professional experience through internships and working with community partners.
Writing Studies Prerequisites
The following lower-division prerequisites will be necessary for declaring the Writing Studies major. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for each prerequisite course.
- TCORE 101, TWRT 121 or TWRT 112: Introduction to Academic Writing
- TWRT 211: Argument and Research in Writing
Writing Studies Degree Requirements
For the Creative Writing Track, you need to complete 60 credits. You need to earn 45 upper-division credits and 45 credits of School of IAS courses to meet degree requirements. You must earn a total of 180 quarter credits, or 225 quarter credits for a double degree, to earn a bachelor of arts degree in your chosen major.
For questions about the Writing Studies major, contact an academic advisor.
Writing Studies - Creative Writing track degree requirements
- List A: 10 credits, foundational courses
- List B: 20 credits, creative writing courses
- List C: 15 credits, literature breadth
- List D: 15 credits, technical/professional communication breadth
Writing Studies - Creative Writing track course lists effective Autumn 2017
List A: Foundational Courses (10 credits total)
- TWRT 200 Introduction to Creative Writing
- TLIT 101 Understanding Literature (formerly TLIT 200)
List B: Creative Writing Courses (20 credits total)
At least 10 credits must be 400 level.
- At least 5 credits from the following list:
- TWRT 270 Poetry Writing (formerly TWRT 370)
- TWRT 280 Fiction Writing (formerly TWRT 380)
- TWRT 287 Creative Nonfiction Writing (formerly TWRT 387)
- TWRT 372 Writing Eco-poetry
- TWRT 382 Writing Popular Fiction
- TWRT 389 Nature Writing
- At least 5 credits from the following list:
- TWRT 470 Advanced Poetry Writing (repeatable once)
- TWRT 480 Advanced Fiction Writing (repeatable once)
- TWRT 487 Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing (repeatable once)
- TWRT 499 Advanced Topics in Creative Writing (maximum credits - 15)
- An additional 10 credits from the lists above or the following:
List C: Literature breadth (15 credits total)
5 credits must be from TLIT 390:
At least 5 credits at the 300-400 level in a literature other than American literature:
- TLAX 476 Latin American Women Writers (formerly THISP 476)
- TLIT 343 Shakespeare
- TLIT 351 Ancient Greek Tragedy (formerly TLIT 453)
- TLIT 352 Medieval Quests (formerly TLIT 455)
- TLIT 371 The World Stage
- T LIT 406 Children's and Young Adult Literature
- TLIT 481 Postcolonial Fiction
- TWOMN 434 Women's Voices: Transnational Testimonials
The final 5 credits may be from the list above OR any 300-400 level TLIT course.
List D: Technical/professional communication breadth (15 credits total)
- TCOM 348 Non-fiction Writing for Television
- TCOM 387 Writing for Public Relations
- TCOM 484 Opinion Writing for the Mass Media
- TCOM 486 Feature Writing for Print Media
- TFILM 350 Screenwriting
- TIAS 491 Professional Portfolio Design
- TWRT 291 Technical Communication in the Workplace
- TWRT 330 Visual and Written Rhetoric
- TWRT 331 Writing in the Natural Sciences
- TWRT 350 Principles of User-Centered Design
- TWRT 355 Usability Testing and Research
- TWRT 360 Playwriting
- TWRT 365 Literary Editing and Publishing
- TWRT 391 Advanced Technical Communication
- TWRT 388 Writing for Social Change (formerly TWRT 431)
- TWRT 464 Teaching Writing
- TWRT 450 Principles of Accessible Design
Writing Studies - Creative Writing track course lists prior to autumn 2017
List A: Foundational Courses (10 credits total)
List B: Creative Writing Courses (20 credits total)
- 10 credits at the 300 level in a chosen genre
- TWRT 270 Poetry Writing (formerly TWRT 370)
- TWRT 280 Fiction Writing (formerly TWRT 380)
- TWRT 287 Creative Nonfiction Writing (formerly TWRT 387)
- TWRT 333 Writing Through Comics
- TWRT 372 Writing Eco-poetry
- TWRT 382 Writing Popular Fiction
- TWRT 389 Nature Writing
- 10 credits at the 400 level (one in the genre of choice, one 400 level in any genre)
- TWRT 470 Advanced Poetry Writing (repeatable once)
- TWRT 480 Advanced Fiction Writing (repeatable once)
- TWRT 482 Writing Historical Fiction
- TWRT 487 Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing (repeatable once)
- TWRT 499 Advanced Topics in Creative Writing (maximum credits - 15)
List C: Literature breadth (15 credits total)
5 credits must be from TLIT 390:
At least 5 credits at the 300-400 level in a literature other than American literature:
- TLAX 476 Latin American Women Writers (formerly THISP 476)
- TLIT 343 Shakespeare
- TLIT 371 The World Stage
- TLIT 380 Myth and Literary Sagas in Creative Expression
- TLIT 390 Varieties of Literary Criticism
- TLIT 406 Children and Young Adult's Literature
- TLIT 453 Ancient Greek Tragedy
- TLIT 455 Medieval Quests
- TLIT 481 Postcolonial Fiction
- TLIT 485 Comparitive Mythology
- TLIT 487 African Folklore and Literature
- TWOMN 434 Women's Voices: Transnational Testimonials
The final 5 credits may be from the list above OR any 300-400 level TLIT course.
List D: Technical/professional communication breadth (15 credits total)
- TCOM 348 Non-fiction Writing for Television
- TCOM 387 Writing for Public Relations
- TCOM 484 Opinion Writing for the Mass Media
- TCOM 486 Feature Writing for Print Media
- TFILM 350 Screenwriting
- TIAS 491 Professional Portfolio Design
- TWRT 291 Technical Communication in the Workplace
- TWRT 330 Visual and Written Rhetoric
- TWRT 331 Writing in the Natural Sciences
- TWRT 350 Principles of User-Centered Design
- TWRT 355 Usability Testing and Research
- TWRT 360 Playwriting
- TWRT 365 Literary Editing and Publishing
- TWRT 391 Advanced Technical Communication
- TWRT 388 Writing for Social Change (formerly TWRT 431)
- TWRT 464 Teaching Writing
- TWRT 450 Principles of Accessible Design
For the Technical Communication Track, you need to complete 65 credits. You need to earn 45 upper-division credits and 45 credits of School of IAS courses to meet degree requirements. You must earn a total of 180 quarter credits, or 225 quarter credits for a double degree, in order to earn a bachelor of arts degree in your chosen major.
Writing Studies - Technical Communication track degree requirements
- List A: 10 credits, foundational courses
- List B: 20 credits, technical communication core courses
- List C: 35 credits, breadth in creative, scientific and technical topics
Writing Studies - Technical Communication track course lists
List A: Foundational Courses (10 credits total)
Choose one:
List B: Technical Communication Core Courses (20 credits total)
- TCOM 220 Social Media
- TCOM 320 Principles of Web Design*
- TCOM 350 Editing and Design for Print Media
- TCOM 420 Advanced Web Design
- TWRT 330 Visual and Written Rhetoric
- TWRT 331 Writing in the Natural Sciences
- TWRT 350 Principles of User-Centered Design*
- TWRT 355 Usability Testing and Research
- TWRT 440 Cross-Cultural Communication Design
- TWRT 450 Principles of Accessible Design
- TWRT 490 Writing Studies Internship
*These courses can only be taken for credit once, either as part of List A or List B.
List C: Breadth in creative, scientific and technical topics (35 credits total)
- TBIOL 202 Plant Biology and Ecology (formerly TESC 202)
- TBIOL 232 Issues in Biological Conservation (formerly TESC 232)
- TBIOL 236 Sustainable Agriculture (formerly TESC 236)
- TBIOL 240 Human Biology and Environmental Interactions (formerly TESC 240)
- TCOM 275 Writing, Reporting and Editing for the Mass Media
- TCOM 348 Non-fiction Writing for Television
- TCOM 349 News Writing
- TCOM 387 Writing for Public Relations
- TCOM 482 Investigative Reporting
- TCOM 484 Opinion Writing for the Mass Media
- TCOM 486 Feature Writing for Print Media
- TCSS 142 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
- TESC 201 The Science of Environmental Sustainability
- TEST 213 History and Science of Space Exploration
- TEST 221 Environmental History: Water
- TEST 295 Valuing Ecosystems Services and Natural Capital
- TEST 332 A Natural History of Garbage
- TEST 333 Environmental Policy Application and Compliance
- TEST 335 Environmental Impact Analysis
- TGEOS 241 Oceanography (formerly TESC 241)
- TGEOS 243 Geography of the Physical Environment (formerly TESC 243)
- TGEOS 341 Climate Change (formerly TESC 341)
- TIAS 491 Professional Portfolio Design
- TINST 207 Living and Working in the Virtual World
- TINST 312 Computer Networks and the Internet
- TINST 401 Technology in the Service of Society
- TINST 475 Entrepreneurship in Computing and Software Systems
- TINFO 210 Foundations of Information Management
- TINFO 220 Foundations of Human Computer Interaction for Information Technology and Systems
- TINFO 230 Web Design and Programming
- TINFO 310 Foundations of Information Assurance
- TINFO 370 Managing Technical Teams
- TWOMN 211 Women in Science (formerly TEST 211)
- TWRT 200 Introduction to Creative Writing
- TWRT 270 Poetry Writing (formerly TWRT 370)
- TWRT 280 Introduction to Fiction Writing (formerly TWRT 380)
- TWRT 287 Creative Nonfiction Writing (formerly TWRT 387)
- TWRT 333 Writing Through Comics
- TWRT 360 Playwriting
- TWRT 362 Writing and War
- TWRT 372 Writing Eco-poetry
- TWRT 382 Writing Popular Fiction
- TWRT 384 Writing Historical Fiction (formerly TWRT 482)
- TWRT 388 Writing for Social Change (formerly TWRT 431)
- TWRT 389 Nature Writing
- TWRT 470 Advanced Poetry Writing
- TWRT 480 Advanced Fiction Writing
- TWRT 487 Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing
- TWRT 499 Advanced Topics in Creative Writing
Additional courses may be approved and added to courses lists to provide students more flexibility and options.
Please refer to this page often for the most up-to-date information.
To request changes or updates to this page, please contact Dustin Annis at annisd@uw.edu.