We’re Reimagining What It Means to Be a Writer.
The WRTC Graduate Program is evolving—and we want you to be part of it.
In partnership with our Alumni Advisory Board, we’re redesigning our graduate curriculum to reflect today’s workplace. From courses on design thinking to AI-assisted writing to global technical communication, our new curriculum will prepare you to create content for both the present—and the future.
Our New Curriculum Will Focus On:
Design Thinking
Solve complex communication challenges through creativity and strategy.
Career Readiness
Build the skills employers want—from digital publishing to project management.
Generative AI
Learn how to responsibly harness AI tools to create, collaborate, and communicate.
Global Technical Communication
Engage with global audiences and cross-cultural platforms in a connected world.
User Experience (UX)
Discover how to write and design content that’s intuitive, inclusive, and impactful.
This isn’t just a curriculum update—it’s a call to the next generation of writers and storytellers.
Information Session
The WRTC Graduate Program will host an Information Session on Wednesday, November 5 from 5:00-6:00 pm (EST). Attendees must register in advance.
During the session, you'll learn about program requirements, course offerings, and funding opportunities. We hope to see you in November!
Greetings From The Director
"When you join our program, you become part of a supportive, high-energy community of faculty and students who are dedicated writers and content creators." Read More
— Dr. Lori Beth De Hertogh, WRTC Graduate Program Director
Left to right: Aminat Oyelude, Mwesah Kapesa, Kathryn Hughes, Maya Winder, and Gretchen Maune.
Want more WRTC graduate student spotlights? Follow us on Instagram!
Graduate Student Spotlight
In her presentation, “Student Frustrations: Increasing Tolerance for Mistakes to Embolden Student Voices,” Maya explored how embracing errors can create more confident, expressive student writers. Her work underscores the importance of turning frustration into growth.
Mwesah’s presentation, “Embracing Authentic Voices in the Age of Artificiality: Benefits for Student Writers,” examined the need for genuine expression in an era shaped by artificial intelligence. Her research invites educators to rethink how authenticity empowers learning.
Also in attendance were WRTC graduate students Aminat Oyelude, Kathryn Hughes, and Gretchen Maune.
Please join us in congratulating these WRTC graduate students on their accomplishments!
Program Advantages
Why we're one of the top graduate writing programs in Virginia:
- Assistantships to cover tuition and provide a stipend to qualified applicants.
- Design & Technological Skills to pursue writing careers in digital storytelling, publication management, professional editing, content strategy, UX, and more.
- Public & Professional Writing and Health & Science Writing tracks.
- Students From Diverse Majors including science, English, sociology, business, education, writing studies, psychology, journalism, and more.
- Career Support that includes close mentorship, career advising, job application guidance, and conference travel funding.
- Internship or Thesis Option to pursue either an internship or write a research-based thesis.
Writing Careers
WRTC graduates pursue writing careers in:
- Technical Communication
- Medical Writing
- Professional Editing
- Science Writing
- Information Design
- Digital Storytelling
- Content Strategy
- User Experience
- Grant Writing
- Teaching Writing
- Publication Management
Course Offerings
Some of our 2025-2026 graduate course offerings include:
- Professional Editing
- Intercultural Technical Communication
- Ethics in Communication
- Public Work of Rhetoric
- Publication Management
- Writers Who Design
- Teaching Writing
Want to know more? Contact Dr. Lori Beth De Hertogh, WRTC Graduate Program Director, at dehertlb@jmu.edu.
Please go to the Cost of Attendance Calculator to see the estimated cost of attendance for your program of study.
