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Writing

Minor (M)

Undergraduate Minor

Allendale • Face to face (?) • 18 Credits

Writing is the art of creating effective and engaging written communication across various genres and contexts.

Overview

Grand Valley's writing minor is designed to develop students' skills in various forms of writing, from creative to professional. This program emphasizes the importance of effective communication and critical thinking, preparing students for diverse careers in writing, editing, publishing, and more. By exploring different genres and styles, students gain a broad understanding of the writing process and the ability to adapt their skills to various contexts.

Coursework spans creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, as well as professional and magazine writing. You will also explore document design, writing for global and local users, web writing, and digital tools that enhance your craft.

As one of the few independent undergraduate writing programs in the country, it uniquely focuses on professional and technical writing, incorporating the latest technologies for print and web environments. You can engage in extracurricular activities like contributing to a student-run literary journal, participating in a visiting writer series, joining a student reading series, and traveling to writing conferences. Additionally, the Distinction in Writing program encourages excellence beyond the classroom, expanding your craft and professional growth. The writing major immerses you in a collaborative and creative community, helping you become a critical reader, careful thinker, and skilled writer.

Admission Information

Department of Writing

gvsu.edu/writing
326 Lake Ontario Hall
(616) 331-3411

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

Department of Writing

gvsu.edu/writing
326 Lake Ontario Hall
(616) 331-3411

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

Career Opportunities

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 45,407.23 10%
$ 58,661.35 25%
$ 77,964.52 50%
$102,698.64 75%
$129,730.26 90%

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 26,022.85 10%
$ 36,687.52 25%
$ 56,667.95 50%
$ 76,547.93 75%
$110,045.53 90%

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 27,442.80 10%
$ 29,556.23 25%
$ 37,681.22 50%
$ 59,249.41 75%
$ 99,104.03 90%

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 12,959.60 10%
$ 22,471.64 25%
$ 40,118.94 50%
$ 66,444.11 75%
$125,238.28 90%

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 12,959.60 10%
$ 22,471.64 25%
$ 40,118.94 50%
$ 66,444.11 75%
$125,238.28 90%

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 52,511.01 10%
$ 67,198.13 25%
$ 91,284.68 50%
$105,381.58 75%
$139,096.32 90%

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 31,774.82 10%
$ 45,530.34 25%
$ 69,909.92 50%
$ 97,371.67 75%
$142,808.15 90%

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 27,425.89 10%
$ 33,513.04 25%
$ 45,879.37 50%
$ 62,973.40 75%
$104,647.39 90%

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 17,574.17 10%
$ 29,692.04 25%
$ 52,330.61 50%
$ 91,119.50 75%
$170,582.92 90%

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 17,574.17 10%
$ 29,692.04 25%
$ 52,330.61 50%
$ 91,119.50 75%
$170,582.92 90%
4,963
Students Participated in Experiential Learning
117K
GVSU Alumni in Michigan
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Student Organizations

Getting involved and staying engaged with our vibrant campus community help you make the most of your Grand Valley experience. Attending student life events, joining a student organization, or participating in campus recreation opportunities are all fantastic ways to maximize your college years:

There are several writing-related organizations as well. You can find them here.

Scholarships

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU. There are also scholarships available for writing students.

Learn More About Writing Scholarships

Career Advising

Whether you are a first-year student, a transfer student, or a current student thinking about your career options, advising is an important part of your academic journey.

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Page last modified June 13, 2025