Writing & Publishing
Talent is an amazing ingredient, but it’s not the whole recipe. Working writers need a solid foundation in the mechanics of writing, a storyteller's gift for narrative, a poet's eye for detail, and drive to keep adapting and improving improving in a fast-changing industry. Champlain College can give you all that and more.
Put your words to work.
A working writer needs more than just creative writing fundamentals. In this program, you’ll combine that artistry and craft with developing marketable skills ready for the workplace. Customize your degree with classes in marketing and publicity, filmmaking, journalism, professional pathways in publishing, digital storytelling, and genre-specific writing.
What Is Writing & Publishing?
Writing and publishing studies encompass a focus on creative writing craft and technique, as well as professional practices that explore how to submit, market, and showcase your work. You’ll also have the opportunity to study professional fields in publishing, including editorial, marketing, journalism, layout & design, and content creation for emerging media. These are the skills that will best prepare you to become a working writer. If you’re excited to start telling your stories, we invite you to get creative with us at Champlain.
Why Study it at Champlain?
Like all of Champlain’s academic programs, Writing & Publishing is grounded in hands-on learning that puts you at the center of your studies. You’ll have the support of faculty and career counselors to explore the field and uncover your calling. While you’ll certainly explore literature and learn to critique writing, you’ll do so much more than this by exploring beyond the boundaries of a traditional English program.
Our classes are taught by creative faculty actively publishing their own work and maintaining their own professional careers, bringing that experience directly to you. They also bring their professional contacts into the classroom so you can benefit from interacting with visiting authors, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals, and can practice building your own connections for the future. In addition, you’ll gain valuable experience in various fields through project-based and professional practices courses, internships, and through contributing to our student-run publications.
Different by Design
Learn From Practitioners
Classes are led by creative faculty who are actively publishing their own work.
Create With Like Minds
You’ll make valuable connections right in the classroom with visiting authors, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals.
Make It Real, Right Away
You can join student-run publications like Willard & Maple, The Crossover, The Well, and Chivomengro.
Facts & Stats
100%
of Writing & Publishing majors in the Class of 2023 were employed within six months of graduation. That’s success you can see.
$91,560
The mean annual wage for writers and authors in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Best
The 2024 Fiske Guide to Colleges names Champlain College among the 300 “best and most interesting” colleges in the U.S., Canada, and United Kingdom.
View Our Student Work
Sample Courses in the Writing & Publishing Major
Our Writing & Publishing curriculum is designed for students who are passionate about writing and are looking for a degree that offers in-depth and versatile experiences to apply to a career of their choice. You’ll be able to tailor your academic experience to your personal interests and the type of writing you want to pursue professionally through selecting elective courses or and optional Editing & Publishing concentration. Check out some of the engaging and hands-on courses in our program.
Third Year
BRD 218
News Writing & Production
Fourth Year
WRT 340
You might also be interested in these…
Based on your interest in the Writing & Publishing major, we thought you also might like to check out these other academic programs and opportunities.
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Majors
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Digital Humanities
Be a digital pioneer. Bring the fullness of your human self to the study of emerging technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and make sure the digital future is humane as well as human.
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Criminology & Criminal Justice
Make communities safer. Build a better and more just system. Be an agent of organizational change.
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Education
Teaching is the ultimate way to shape the future. At Champlain College, you’ll be in classrooms during your first year, building deep expertise that leads to licensure.
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Social Work
Uplift families, empower individuals, and heal communities with Champlain’s Social Work major.
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Degree Design Lab/Integrative Professional Studies
Design your own major through Champlain’s Degree Design Lab. You’ll combine courses and real-world learning experiences to personalize your own education.
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Minors
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Conflict Management Minor
Develop a practical way of mediating conflict in your workplace, community, and personal life with Champlain College’s Conflict Management Minor.
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Family Studies Minor
Explore concepts of the individual, family, and community. Further develop your understanding as you discover the connections between them within historical, political, and social climates.
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Gerontology Minor
Examine the physical, mental, and sociological aspects of aging, including the ways that society changes with an aging population with the Gerontology minor.
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LGBTQ Studies Minor
Examine the complex histories, cultures, political activities, and expressions of LGBTQ people while exploring larger social and institutional foundations like media representation and human rights.
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Organizational Innovation Minor
Develop personal and professional leadership abilities through a variety of different thinking styles and problem-solving skills. Discover the confidence to be a leader and innovator in your field.
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Areas of Study
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Creative Arts & Communication
Bring ideas to life in unexpected ways.
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Individualized Studies & Undeclared
Learn what you love, and love what you learn.
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Education, Humanities & the Sciences
The born educator, the team player, the change maker, the advocate.
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Law & Society
Uphold a system of justice through meaningful public service.
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Sign Up To Get Stickers + Helpful Info
Ready to be inspired? Fill out the form and sign up to receive helpful information about Champlain College—plus, we’ll send you a full sheet of high quality stickers designed by one of our Graphic Design & Visual Communication graduates.
Career Success
Our students enter the industry with professional experience and a portfolio of work. 100% of Writing & Publishing majors in the Class of 2023 were employed within six months of graduation.
Your Career Outlook
By the time you graduate, you will …
- Have spent time in classes and workshops preparing for life after college;
- Taken professional practice courses that will enhance your digital presence on numerous social media platforms;
- Prepared your cover letter, résumé, and portfolio for the job market;
- Strategized your career plans and developed professional contacts;
- Taken courses in marketing and public relations so you can promote yourself; and
- Navigated ethical and legal issues in the profession.
You’ll Find a Career In…
- Copywriting
- Reporting
- Grant Writing
- Communications
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Column Writing
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Pre-College Summer Program: Filmmaking & Media Production Exploration AcademyThe Filmmaking & Media Production Exploration Academy offers students the opportunity to learn about many of the different jobs available in creating content for film, television, and streaming – including movies, web series, documentaries, commercials, social media, drama, comedy and more. Students work together in a hands-on, supportive environment under the guidance of industry experts with extensive experience working at major film studios and networks.
This program is for students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates.
Learn More on the Pre-College Summer Program Website
More Inside Writing & Publishing
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Overview
Talent is an amazing ingredient, but it’s not the whole recipe. Working writers need a solid foundation in the mechanics of writing, a storyteller's gift for narrative, a poet's eye for detail, and drive to keep adapting and improving improving in a fast-changing industry. Champlain College can give you all that and more.
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Curriculum
Your career in writing and publishing begins now with Champlain’s Upside-Down Curriculum. Discover the difference that doing on day one has on your success.
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Faculty
Learn more about the experienced professionals leading Champlain College's Writing & Publishing program who are dedicated to teaching and mentoring you.