Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University has announced the approval of a new bachelor's degree program in rhetoric and writing. The program will be available to current students starting in the Spring 2025 semester, with applications open for Fall 2026 admission.

Peter Khost, director of the College of Arts and Sciences Program in Writing and Rhetoric, highlighted the importance of communication skills in today's job market. "Strong writing and other communication skills are consistently rated as among the most important skills employers look for when they are hiring new employees," he stated. "Yet many of those same employers say they fear most job applicants lack those skills. Graduates of this program will absolutely have those vital writing skills, as well as analytical and critical thinking skills that can take them so far both professionally and personally."

The new major is a collaboration between the soon-to-be Department in Writing and Rhetoric within the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Communication and Journalism. Comprising 39 credits, it is designed to offer flexibility for students wishing to pursue it as a second major.

Patricia Medved, undergraduate program director, described the target audience for this initiative: “This program is for students who are fascinated by the power of language in everyday life.” She added that it would equip students to analyze and produce written communication across various contexts.

Graduates will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, preparing them for careers such as speech writing, technical writing, policy work, grant proposal development, education, law, or fundraising. The curriculum includes core courses on intercultural communication, rhetoric theories and methods, professional writing alongside electives covering diverse topics like health, AI, culture, or environmental issues.

This marks the first degree offering from Stony Brook's Program in Writing and Rhetoric which already offers popular minors in writing-related fields.