The Writing major has been a staple at Lakeland University for more than three decades and has evolved to meet the needs of employers seeking associates with excellent communication skills for both the print and digital world.
Our Professional Writing major prepares students to work in numerous fields by developing their skills in research, drafting, and copy editing to meet the needs of both corporate and nonprofit employers through courses like Copywriting and Editing, Technical Writing, News Writing, Advertising and Public Relations Writing, Writing for Nonprofits, Literary Publishing, etc.
Students pursing this degree gain hands-on experience through our online newspaper The Mirror serving as reporters, editors, photographers, and web designers.
In addition, Professional Writing Majors serve as social media content creators for majors in the School of Fine Arts & Humanities, help organize on campus writing events and festivals, and practice their skills through various writing projects with community partners like Nourish Farms and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Graduates of the program enjoy careers in advertising, journalism, publishing, computer programming, radio, and much more.
Lakeland’s experienced Writing faculty takes great pride in working one-on-one with all students. While the primary instructors are well-versed in all facets of the written word, Madeleine Wattenberg is an award-winning poet who has published dozens of works and done numerous readings. Her debut poetry collection, I/O, was a finalist for the 2021 Miller Williams Poetry Prize, and Jodie Mortag, an expert in fiction and nonfiction, has work in numerous literary magazines--Ruminate, North Dakota Quarterly, Counterclock, Fourteen Hills, Barnstorm, Stoneboat, among others.
Lakeland also offers a BFA in Creative Writing, which is unlike anything offered in the entire state of Wisconsin.
Lakeland's Cooperative Education program will provide Writing students with the ability to earn 12-18 months of full-time work experience, academic credit for their work, and a combination of scholarships and wages that will significantly reduce or eliminate post-graduation debt.
