Writing
Overview
Completing the Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree with a Concentration in Writing prepares students for careers in communications, public relations, and publishing across print and online genres, including social media.
The Writing Concentration in the Associate in Arts program gives students knowledge and practice in writing skills needed to be successful in workplace, business, and professional communications, or to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Professional Communications, Creative Writing, and related English disciplines that focus on advanced writing and communications. The program includes general education requirements that are part of most undergraduate programs so students can transfer with advanced standing.
Students in the Writing pathway will have the opportunity to study and develop communication skills in workplace environments, and have opportunities to present or read their work at a conference and to publish in a literary magazine.
Program Type
Associate in ArtsHow to Enroll
To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.
Questions?
Sample Program Plan and Costs
Class Delivery Methods
View current courses offered via our online course directory.
| On-Campus | Traditional. Classes meet on campus. |
|---|---|
| Virtual | 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom. |
| Hybrid | Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual. |
| Online | 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time. |
Full Time Schedule
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (15 Credit Hours) |
ENG-101 |
English Comp I English Comp I ID: ENG-101 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented. |
• | • | • | • | 3 |
| CPT-170 |
Microcomputer Applications Microcomputer Applications ID: CPT-170 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces microcomputer applications software, including word processing, data bases, spreadsheets, graphs, and their integration. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| PSY-201 |
General Psychology General Psychology ID: PSY-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| THE-101 |
Intro. to Theatre Intro. to Theatre ID: THE-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the appreciation and analysis of theatrical literature, history, and production. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| COL-105 |
Freshman Seminar Freshman Seminar ID: COL-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the purposes of higher education and provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college. The course is designed to help freshmen adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| Semester 2 (15 Credit Hours) |
ENG-102 |
English Comp II English Comp II ID: ENG-102 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included. |
• | • | • | • | 3 |
| ENG-238 |
Creative Writing Creative Writing ID: ENG-238 Credit Hours: 3 This course presents an introduction to creative writing in various genres. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| MAT-120 |
Probability and Statistics Probability and Statistics ID: MAT-120 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics: introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals,and test hypothesis for large and small samples; types I and II errors; linear regression; and correlation. (Graphic calculator required) |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| HIS-202 |
American History: 1877 to Present American History: 1877 to Present ID: HIS-202 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of u.s. history from 1877 to the present. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| PHI-115 |
Contemporary Moral Issues Contemporary Moral Issues ID: PHI-115 Credit Hours: 3 This course examines moral issues in contemporary society, including basic principles and applications of ethics. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 3 (16 Credit Hours) |
ENG-203 |
American Literature Survey American Literature Survey ID: ENG-203 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of American literature: major authors, genres, and periods. The course emphasizes historical, descriptive and analytical modes of study. |
• | • | • | 3 | |
| ENG-263 |
Writing for Social Media Writing for Social Media ID: ENG-263 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes the rhetorical strategies needed to employ social media for professional purposes. |
• | 3 | ||||
| LNG-101 |
Introduction to Language Introduction to Language ID: LNG-101 Credit Hours: 3 Linguistics 101 is an introduction to the human capacity for language and to how it is acquired. Students identify and learn about characteristics of language varieties, dialects, and styles and examine social and geographical factors that contribute to language variation and change. |
• | 3 | ||||
| BIO-101 |
Biological Science I Biological Science I ID: BIO-101 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the scientific method, basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, cell physiology, cell reproduction and development, mendelian genetics, population genetics, natural selection, evolution, and ecology. |
• | • | • | 4 | ||
| PSC-201 |
American Government American Government ID: PSC-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of national governmental institutions with emphasis on the constitution, the functions of executive, legislative and judicial branches, civil liberties and the role of the electorate. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 4 (15 Credit Hours) |
ENG-260 |
Advanced Technical Communications Advanced Technical Communications ID: ENG-260 Credit Hours: 3 This course develops skills in research techniques and increases proficiency in technical communications. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| ENG-299 |
Special Topics in English Special Topics in English ID: ENG-299 Credit Hours: 3 This course focuses on a specific purpose for, issue in, or type of English such as South Carolina literature, writing for the Web, or a history of literature censorship in the US. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| SPC-205 |
Public Speaking Public Speaking ID: SPC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| ENG-175 |
Proofreading and Editing Proofreading and Editing ID: ENG-175 Credit Hours: 3 This course presents intensive application of advanced proofreading and editing skills, including usage and punctuation. |
• | 3 | ||||
| HIS-102 |
Western Civilization Post 1689 Western Civilization Post 1689 ID: HIS-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of western civilization from 1689 to the present, including major political, social, economic, and intellectual factors which shape the modern western world. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 61 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$12,200.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||
Part Time Schedule
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (9 Credit Hours) |
ENG-101 |
English Comp I English Comp I ID: ENG-101 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented. |
• | • | • | • | 3 |
| CPT-170 |
Microcomputer Applications Microcomputer Applications ID: CPT-170 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces microcomputer applications software, including word processing, data bases, spreadsheets, graphs, and their integration. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| COL-105 |
Freshman Seminar Freshman Seminar ID: COL-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the purposes of higher education and provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college. The course is designed to help freshmen adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| Semester 2 (6 Credit Hours) |
ENG-102 |
English Comp II English Comp II ID: ENG-102 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included. |
• | • | • | • | 3 |
| THE-101 |
Intro. to Theatre Intro. to Theatre ID: THE-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the appreciation and analysis of theatrical literature, history, and production. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| Semester 3 (9 Credit Hours) |
ENG-238 |
Creative Writing Creative Writing ID: ENG-238 Credit Hours: 3 This course presents an introduction to creative writing in various genres. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| PSY-201 |
General Psychology General Psychology ID: PSY-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| MAT-120 |
Probability and Statistics Probability and Statistics ID: MAT-120 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics: introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals,and test hypothesis for large and small samples; types I and II errors; linear regression; and correlation. (Graphic calculator required) |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| Semester 4 (9 Credit Hours) |
ENG-203 |
American Literature Survey American Literature Survey ID: ENG-203 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of American literature: major authors, genres, and periods. The course emphasizes historical, descriptive and analytical modes of study. |
• | • | • | 3 | |
| PHI-115 |
Contemporary Moral Issues Contemporary Moral Issues ID: PHI-115 Credit Hours: 3 This course examines moral issues in contemporary society, including basic principles and applications of ethics. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| HIS-202 |
American History: 1877 to Present American History: 1877 to Present ID: HIS-202 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of u.s. history from 1877 to the present. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 5 (7 Credit Hours) |
BIO-101 |
Biological Science I Biological Science I ID: BIO-101 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the scientific method, basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, cell physiology, cell reproduction and development, mendelian genetics, population genetics, natural selection, evolution, and ecology. |
• | • | • | 4 | |
| PSC-201 |
American Government American Government ID: PSC-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of national governmental institutions with emphasis on the constitution, the functions of executive, legislative and judicial branches, civil liberties and the role of the electorate. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 6 (6 Credit Hours) |
ENG-263 |
Writing for Social Media Writing for Social Media ID: ENG-263 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes the rhetorical strategies needed to employ social media for professional purposes. |
• | 3 | |||
| LNG-101 |
Introduction to Language Introduction to Language ID: LNG-101 Credit Hours: 3 Linguistics 101 is an introduction to the human capacity for language and to how it is acquired. Students identify and learn about characteristics of language varieties, dialects, and styles and examine social and geographical factors that contribute to language variation and change. |
• | 3 | ||||
| Semester 7 (9 Credit Hours) |
ENG-175 |
Proofreading and Editing Proofreading and Editing ID: ENG-175 Credit Hours: 3 This course presents intensive application of advanced proofreading and editing skills, including usage and punctuation. |
• | 3 | |||
| SPC-205 |
Public Speaking Public Speaking ID: SPC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| HIS-102 |
Western Civilization Post 1689 Western Civilization Post 1689 ID: HIS-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of western civilization from 1689 to the present, including major political, social, economic, and intellectual factors which shape the modern western world. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 8 (6 Credit Hours) |
ENG-260 |
Advanced Technical Communications Advanced Technical Communications ID: ENG-260 Credit Hours: 3 This course develops skills in research techniques and increases proficiency in technical communications. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| ENG-299 |
Special Topics in English Special Topics in English ID: ENG-299 Credit Hours: 3 This course focuses on a specific purpose for, issue in, or type of English such as South Carolina literature, writing for the Web, or a history of literature censorship in the US. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 61 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$12,200.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||
What’s next after I complete this program?
Earn a Bachelor's Degree in English or a related field
Writers who complete the Associate in Arts degree with a Writing concentration can earn a bachelor’s degree in English, Media and Communications, or Journalism to develop more skills in research, writing, editing, and document design.
Earn a Journalism and Mass Communications Minor
Students who want to work in a publishing and broadcast environment can add additional breadth and publishing skills with a specialization in Advertising, Public Relations, or Journalism.
Earn a Minor in Business Administration
Students who add a minor in Business Administration develop knowledge and skills in management and marketing, which add to the communications and research skills of a writer.