The University of Texas at Austin is the second-largest public university in the United States. Its graduate school of music alone receives around 400 applications each year for a mere 12 slots in the doctoral degree program. Clearly, the school is highly selective.
In addition to music, the university’s graduate school of business invites around 400 candidates for a full-time MBA degree each year. With around 50,000 undergraduate students, it’s no surprise that the university is considered one of the most competitive educational institutions in the country. It’s also no secret that Austin is a city full of creative people. Its famous music scene and large number of entrepreneurs contribute to its status as the “capital of the creative world.”
How might a creative writing degree at UT Austin help with my career?
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the demand for creative and business writers will rise by 17% between now and 2022. The report also states that jobs in these fields will be the best paying, with an average salary of $72,000 per year.
While a traditional business or creative writing degree won’t specifically prepare you for a job in creative or business writing, it will certainly help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in today’s ever-evolving jobs market. From copywriting and marketing to communications and editing, you will gain the necessary knowledge to tackle whatever job search brings your way. And with UT Austin’s Creative Writing Certificate, you can start your career with a writing degree and gain valuable work experience all while being able to claim your home city as your own.
What will my graduate school assignment be like?
As a student in the UT Austin graduate program, you’ll be expected to complete four to five hours of coursework per week. The curriculum is completely up to you, but you’ll be sure to encounter topics such as business, creative writing, literature, and film. Aside from academic coursework, you will also be required to complete two hours of writing per week, along with a substantial amount of independent study.
How much will it cost me to study at UT Austin?
While many colleges and universities have increased their tuition in the last year, the University of Texas at Austin has kept its fees low. For in-state students, it currently costs around $30,000 per year for tuition and $13,000 per year for room and board. This makes a full-time degree at UT Austin relatively affordable.
What are my chances of getting a job after graduation?
According to the Georgetown University Center for the Education of Women, around 76% of jobs suitable for a recent graduate are in non-traditional industries like advertising and public relations, digital marketing, and web design. Around 16% are in traditional areas like publishing and journalism, while 8% are in business. These are all areas where you would expect to find job opportunities, given the talent pool that comes from such a diverse city as Austin.
Will my grad school placement factor into my job search?
Yes. While you might not need a formal education to be a journalist, having a degree can certainly improve your odds of being hired. Around 70% of journalism jobs require some form of graduate degree. In fact, even in areas where formal education isn’t as essential, like editorial writing and production, a journalism degree can be considered a valuable asset.
Does my English degree qualify me for an editing job? Can I be a copyeditor?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 47% of all editing jobs are done by editors with a bachelor’s degree. While a bachelor’s degree in English isn’t necessary for entry-level editing jobs, it can certainly be beneficial. This is especially true for copyediting, in which around 73% of jobs are held by people with a bachelor’s degree or higher. A copyeditor’s duties might include proofreading and copywriting, so an English degree can equip you for more than one type of job. You might also want to look into getting a master’s degree in English when you’re ready for a professional career in editing.