2023 Best Online Writing Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Online is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English, with concentrations in Fiction Writing, Non-Fiction Writing, Poetry, and Screenwriting. This 120-credit program takes full-time students approximately four years to complete. Similarly, SNHU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Professional Writing that explores emerging technologies. SNHU has a 94% acceptance and a 40% graduation rate.

SNHU uses Brightspace to deliver its online curriculum. Distance learners in its online creative writing and English program participate in courses such as Writing for Film, Genre Studies, Literary Theory, and Writing and Digital Media. Students choosing concentrations also take workshops specific to their writing genre. Graduates pursue careers in fields such as journalism, publishing, communications, and law.

American Public University System (APUS) is a public, for-profit institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing and Communication that explores diverse perspectives in World, British, and American literature. A general concentration is offered, as well as concentrations in Literature and Writing and Communication. Graduating requires 120 credits, which may take full-time students up to four years to complete. APU has a 100% acceptance rate due to its open admissions policy, and 18% of students end up graduating with degrees on average.

APUS delivers its online coursework and instruction via Canvas. Depending on their chosen concentration, online writing and communication students engage in classes such as The Work and Life of Ernest Hemingway, Gothic Literature, British Poetry from Blake to the Beatles, and Scientific Writing.

Liberty University (LU) is a large, private, Evangelical Christian institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in English and Writing for students interested in careers creating and writing content. Specializations include the following tracks: General, Christian Literature, Creative Writing, and Journalism. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate, which generally takes 3.5 years if enrolled full time. LU has a 50% acceptance and a 34% graduation rate.

LU's distance learners access the Canvas learning management system to participate in class. Those enrolled in the online English and writing program take courses such as Literature of the Bible, American Realism and Naturalism, Introduction to Creative Writing, and Lewis and Tolkien — depending on the specialization chosen.

It's important to note LU is not an LGBT-friendly institution. According to its 2022-2023 Student Code, "statements and behaviors that are associated with LGBT lifestyle are prohibited."

Florida International University (FIU) is a public, Hispanic-serving institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing and Rhetoric for students interested in exploring the written language and its role in human creativity. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, which generally takes full-time students around four years. FIU has a 65% graduation and a 58% acceptance rate.

FIU delivers online lessons and lectures to its distance learners via Canvas. Distance learners in the online writing and rhetoric program enroll in courses such as Writing and New Media, Studies in 19th Century African American Literature, Scientific Writing, and Writing About the Environment. Graduates often find work in fields such as public relations, technical writing, education administration, and advertising.

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies - Professional Writing for those interested in developing technical writing, business, human resources, and communication skills. This is a 120-credit program that generally takes full-time students four years to complete. ODU has a 95% acceptance and a 58% graduation rate.

ODU uses Canvas as its online learning platform so distance learners can access coursework and instruction. Those enrolled in the online professional writing program take classes such as Organizational Communication, Work-Life Communication, Digital Leadership, and Personnel Psychology. Students also complete an e-portfolio project to graduate. Popular careers after graduating include media analysis, grant writing, advertising, and public relations.