Master of Science in Written Communication (M.S.)

National Louis University's Master of Science in Written Communication program is designed for students who are seeking to move into positions requiring more effective writing skills, those who wish to teach writing at the college level, as well as those seeking to develop professional works of fiction, nonfiction, plays and screenplays for publication and production.

Consider getting your Master of Science in Written Communication at National Louis University (NLU) if you:

• Have a bachelor's degree in any field
• Want to master the skills of professional writing
• Wish to teach college-level writing courses or combine teaching with your own writing
• Are seeking a promotion or making a career change requiring effective writing
• Want to open new avenues for professional and personal growth involving writing
• Are a high school English teacher seeking to improve your teaching of writing

Why NLU for Written Communication

NLU offers a great variety of writing courses and internships in teaching and professional writing, many leading directly to payment for writing and teaching. Partnerships with community colleges and publishers, including College of DuPage, College of Lake County, the Chicago Sun-Times and 22nd Century Media, provide a pathway to positions teaching writing at the college level and selling articles in magazines, newspapers and online publications.

What You Will Learn

• The art of effective writing in the fields of:
  • information and research-based writing
  • creative writing of memoir, children's books, novels, plays, screenplays, poetry
  • journalism, feature writing, editing and creative nonfiction
  • public relations and advertising
  • business communication
• How to teach the basics of writing at the college level
• How to edit and evaluate various types of written communication

Career Outlook

For those who choose to write for the workplace—as an employee or a consultant—there is increasing demand for proposals, manuals, internal and external newsletters, brochures, instructions and PR and advertising copy—done for print or online. For those who prefer to write fiction or nonfiction for adults, young adults or children, writing can be financially rewarding and personally enriching. Internships at community colleges and at various newspapers and other publications provide a pathway to a fulfilling full-time so part-time career.

As information increases and ideas proliferate, the need to communicate rapidly and effectively also increases. Writing is the lifeblood of any technically advanced society, because information is its most important and fastest-growing product. On paper or electronically, written communication is everywhere.

Certificate in Corporate Written Communication

This professional writing program focuses on courses which will enhance communication skills at the workplace. The Certificate in Corporate Written Communication is comprised of three graduate courses selected from an existing menu of courses already offered as part of the Master of Science in Written Communication degree. The three-course sequence can serve as a gateway to the master's degree, since graduate students are allowed to take three courses before declaring themselves as part of the master's degree program. The entrance requirements for the Certificate are the same as the entrance requirements for the Master of Science in Written Communications. If they choose to continue beyond the Certificate into the Master's in Written Communication Program, students may do so seamlessly, without any additional testing or application requirements.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.