12 answers
Emma
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Updated
1404 views
Is a college degree required to be a writer, or is it just highly recommended?
I don't necessarily have the funds available to go to collage withought amassing a huge amount of student debt and I was wondering if it was a requirement for being a writer.
Login to comment
12 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Emma!
What a wonderful question! The short answer is no, you absolutely don't need a college degree to become a writer — but let's dive a little deeper.
Writing is one of those beautiful careers where your talent, dedication, and voice matter more than any piece of paper. Many famous authors like Maya Angelou, Ernest Hemingway, and JK Rowling didn't have formal writing degrees — they simply wrote their hearts out, learned along the way, and kept going even when things got tough.
That said, a degree can definitely help depending on the type of writing career you're pursuing. If you're dreaming of becoming a journalist, technical writer, or working in publishing, some employers might prefer candidates with degrees. But for freelance writing, blogging, fiction, poetry, or self-publishing — your portfolio and passion will speak louder than a diploma.
What really matters is your commitment to the craft. Here's a little roadmap to get you started, no degree required:
Write every single day — even if it's just a journal entry or a short poem.
Read like your life depends on it. Study how your favorite authors craft sentences and tell stories.
Join online writing communities like Wattpad, Substack, or writing Discord groups.
Take advantage of free and affordable online courses (Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare).
Start sharing your work — whether that's on a personal blog, Medium, or writing contests.
Find a writing buddy or mentor to give you feedback and encouragement.
If money is tight, don't feel pressured to take on student debt just to follow your dream. Community colleges are a fantastic, affordable option if you want to dip your toes into classes without breaking the bank.
The most important thing? Believe in your voice. The world needs your stories, and there's no one else who can tell them quite like you.
You've got this, Emma! Sending you tons of creative energy and encouragement.
What a wonderful question! The short answer is no, you absolutely don't need a college degree to become a writer — but let's dive a little deeper.
Writing is one of those beautiful careers where your talent, dedication, and voice matter more than any piece of paper. Many famous authors like Maya Angelou, Ernest Hemingway, and JK Rowling didn't have formal writing degrees — they simply wrote their hearts out, learned along the way, and kept going even when things got tough.
That said, a degree can definitely help depending on the type of writing career you're pursuing. If you're dreaming of becoming a journalist, technical writer, or working in publishing, some employers might prefer candidates with degrees. But for freelance writing, blogging, fiction, poetry, or self-publishing — your portfolio and passion will speak louder than a diploma.
What really matters is your commitment to the craft. Here's a little roadmap to get you started, no degree required:
Write every single day — even if it's just a journal entry or a short poem.
Read like your life depends on it. Study how your favorite authors craft sentences and tell stories.
Join online writing communities like Wattpad, Substack, or writing Discord groups.
Take advantage of free and affordable online courses (Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare).
Start sharing your work — whether that's on a personal blog, Medium, or writing contests.
Find a writing buddy or mentor to give you feedback and encouragement.
If money is tight, don't feel pressured to take on student debt just to follow your dream. Community colleges are a fantastic, affordable option if you want to dip your toes into classes without breaking the bank.
The most important thing? Believe in your voice. The world needs your stories, and there's no one else who can tell them quite like you.
You've got this, Emma! Sending you tons of creative energy and encouragement.
Miracle Ugochukwu
writer
3
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Miracle’s Answer
Hi Emma! a college degree is not strictly required to become a writer. Why?
First, many successful writers are self-taught, having developed their skills through online courses, writing workshops, and dedication to their craft.
Secondly, you must write regularly, read widely, and gain experience in writing-related fields. it could be just as valuable as a college degree.
Lastly, taking an online course and gaining writing certifications can provide training similar to a college degree.
To succeed, you must write consistently, read widely, join writing groups, and share your writing with friends and family or online.
First, many successful writers are self-taught, having developed their skills through online courses, writing workshops, and dedication to their craft.
Secondly, you must write regularly, read widely, and gain experience in writing-related fields. it could be just as valuable as a college degree.
Lastly, taking an online course and gaining writing certifications can provide training similar to a college degree.
To succeed, you must write consistently, read widely, join writing groups, and share your writing with friends and family or online.
Melanie Berrios
HR Compliance Analyst
6
Answers
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Hi, Emma!
No, you don't need to get a degree to become a writer. There are plenty of free resources available online to teach you how to write. If you wish, you can choose to pay for a class or two, but a degree is not too necesary. I hope that helps!
No, you don't need to get a degree to become a writer. There are plenty of free resources available online to teach you how to write. If you wish, you can choose to pay for a class or two, but a degree is not too necesary. I hope that helps!
Caitlyn Johnston
Senior Technical Writer
53
Answers
Odin, IL
Updated
Caitlyn’s Answer
YES!! It's absolutely required. You can get away with a certificate, but personally, I would not hire a writer on my team without a degree. The degree hones your problem-solving skills and makes your education well-rounded. It makes you a better thinker.
If you can't afford a degrere, get a scholarship for a program (there are tons based on race and ethnicity alone) or you can get an internship at a newspaper or magazine.
If you can't afford a degrere, get a scholarship for a program (there are tons based on race and ethnicity alone) or you can get an internship at a newspaper or magazine.
Elizabeth Loy
Journalist
4
Answers
Marquette, Michigan
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
I would say that it depends on what type of writer you want to be, and there’s many paths to becoming a writer! I would recommend going to college if you want to be a journalist, but you could also study English to learn many types of writing and help you decide what type you would like to pursue! Also, if you come from a lower income family you can get many scholarships and government aid. Personally, I am going to school for free because of aid and scholarships I get from the government and the college itself, so I would say go ahead and apply just to weigh your options and see how much it will cost!
Joanne Williams
Associate Professor
44
Answers
Olivet, Michigan
Updated
Joanne’s Answer
Emma - It is NOT required.
What is required:
Writing, all the time
Reading, all the time
Seeking out mentors, favorite writes and researching their journey
Letting people know this is who you are
Job shadowing at a publication, media office, etc.
Putting yourself out there, on blogs, pages, comments, etc., so people recognize you
Going to author lectures, joining a writer's club, book club
What college provides:
A daily reminder to do all of the above, and
Networking
A rounded education so you know what you are writing about when
Scholarships, internships, study abroad opportunities
Socialization skills
Communication skills
Computer skills
On-campus student publications
Devoted time to study and work while still having time to work, etc., depending on the course load and online options
Editing skills
Lots of choices, Emma, and not all should be attempted at the same time, and all can be started whenever you are ready.
PS - Community colleges are great places to start and a degree in hand in two years! Good luck.
What is required:
Writing, all the time
Reading, all the time
Seeking out mentors, favorite writes and researching their journey
Letting people know this is who you are
Job shadowing at a publication, media office, etc.
Putting yourself out there, on blogs, pages, comments, etc., so people recognize you
Going to author lectures, joining a writer's club, book club
What college provides:
A daily reminder to do all of the above, and
Networking
A rounded education so you know what you are writing about when
Scholarships, internships, study abroad opportunities
Socialization skills
Communication skills
Computer skills
On-campus student publications
Devoted time to study and work while still having time to work, etc., depending on the course load and online options
Editing skills
Lots of choices, Emma, and not all should be attempted at the same time, and all can be started whenever you are ready.
PS - Community colleges are great places to start and a degree in hand in two years! Good luck.
Rich Feitelberg
Novelist
26
Answers
Quincy, Massachusetts
Updated
Rich’s Answer
It depends on the type of writer you want to be. Journalists and technical writers require degrees because they work for someone else. But a poet or novelist does not require a degree. That said, getting a degree will certainly help you acquire the skills you will need.
Tom Tate
Copywriter
9
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Good morning, Emma. In my experience, you do not need a college degree to become an excellent writer. Now, I did go to college, but not to learn to write. That came later as part of a job requirement. The day I started a new job, my boss told me I had to write a monthly four-page newsletter! That never came up in the interview, so I was taken aback.
So, what did I do without formal writing education to meet the challenge? I selected four categories to write about every month, one of which was something fun that interested me. Over the next few months, our customers were effusive in their praise of the newsletter. They said I made complex topics easy to understand, wrote in a way that was enjoyable to read, and wrote like I spoke. I was staggered by the reaction. I liked to write and have put together literature and reports over the years, but they were all technical. Now, someone liked what I did? Wow!
So, how does this help you? Here are the key takeaways from my experience:
1. Until you have a writing job, write something every day, and write it how you speak. In the terms of the trade, that's writing with authenticity.
2. Learn how to use the grammar and spelling tools in applications like Word and Google Docs. Then, make certain you read it yourself and don't blindly rely on these tools. Ever have a text self-correct and you don't catch it? Embarrassing, isn't it? Well, it's even more embarrassing when it happens in a work assignment. I know that from experience.
3. Use the read-aloud capabilities available in Word or via extensions for Google. You'll be amazed at how much hearing what you wrote helps you refine it and catch mistakes.
4. Learn to write to different audiences in your employer's brand voice. Fortunately, most companies have guidelines for this purpose. Here's where AI tools, especially ChatGPT, can help. I regularly use ChatGPT to create a client's voice. I do this by describing the target audience and what they sell and providing examples of copy the client likes and feels reflects their brand image. I ask ChatGPT to remember this as Client ABC's voice. Then, after I write a first draft, I ask ChatGPT to assess how well it matches the established voice.
Let me wrap up by offering a couple of cautions:
Never plagiarise! Ever, ever, ever. It's okay to quote someone if you give proper attribution. That can be as simple as a link to the source.
Do not use AI to write your final copy - ever! It's getting better, but it is still awful in many cases.
Check out some steps you can take below, and good luck!! I love to write, and now I get to do it every day.
Learn how to use the grammar and spelling tools in whichever word processor you use. I use Grammarly, Microsoft Editor, and Hemingway.
Get a free ChatGPT account (or any other AI you may prefer) and learn how to prompt it to give you the information you seek. I've written a couple of articles in LinkedIn about prompts. If they aren't readily available, let me know, and I will get them to you.
Use AI responsibly - as a research assistant, togenerate anoutline for an article, to assess your writing, and to create a first draft. Just make sure that isn't your final draft!
Practice!
So, what did I do without formal writing education to meet the challenge? I selected four categories to write about every month, one of which was something fun that interested me. Over the next few months, our customers were effusive in their praise of the newsletter. They said I made complex topics easy to understand, wrote in a way that was enjoyable to read, and wrote like I spoke. I was staggered by the reaction. I liked to write and have put together literature and reports over the years, but they were all technical. Now, someone liked what I did? Wow!
So, how does this help you? Here are the key takeaways from my experience:
1. Until you have a writing job, write something every day, and write it how you speak. In the terms of the trade, that's writing with authenticity.
2. Learn how to use the grammar and spelling tools in applications like Word and Google Docs. Then, make certain you read it yourself and don't blindly rely on these tools. Ever have a text self-correct and you don't catch it? Embarrassing, isn't it? Well, it's even more embarrassing when it happens in a work assignment. I know that from experience.
3. Use the read-aloud capabilities available in Word or via extensions for Google. You'll be amazed at how much hearing what you wrote helps you refine it and catch mistakes.
4. Learn to write to different audiences in your employer's brand voice. Fortunately, most companies have guidelines for this purpose. Here's where AI tools, especially ChatGPT, can help. I regularly use ChatGPT to create a client's voice. I do this by describing the target audience and what they sell and providing examples of copy the client likes and feels reflects their brand image. I ask ChatGPT to remember this as Client ABC's voice. Then, after I write a first draft, I ask ChatGPT to assess how well it matches the established voice.
Let me wrap up by offering a couple of cautions:
Never plagiarise! Ever, ever, ever. It's okay to quote someone if you give proper attribution. That can be as simple as a link to the source.
Do not use AI to write your final copy - ever! It's getting better, but it is still awful in many cases.
Check out some steps you can take below, and good luck!! I love to write, and now I get to do it every day.
Tom recommends the following next steps:
Victoria Wright
Author
5
Answers
Englewood, Colorado
Updated
Victoria’s Answer
Emma - such a good question. Personally I do not believe you need a college education to be a writer. However, you do need to be really good at your craft. It also depends on what type of writer you would like to become. Getting the experience needed to be a writer can come from many places. Practice is the primary. Finding a mentor is also very helpful. Courses on line or in person can also be beneficial. Research the area you would like to write in to determine the requirements, but don't wait. No matter what type of writer you would like to become, first and foremost you have to write. You got this!
Isabel Lozano
Social worker/Clinical Supervisor
3
Answers
Aberdeen, Maryland
Updated
Isabel’s Answer
Hi Emma!
Just to preface I don't have experience in that field, but I do write as a hobby. You don't necessarily need a college degree to become a writer or even a professional/published writer. Sometimes people's work/writing is acknowledged without degrees but it is not always an easy, short, or successful route. But it is possible!
It's also possible to take some classes or certifications instead of whole college degrees. These certifications/classes will allow your future resume to reflect your knowledge/education of writing, which allows for more possibilities of jobs in the future.
I do also want to add that if you have the chance to get your Associates in any field you have interest in, I would consider that as well. The job market at this time (2025) is tough and many employers are looking for degrees in their employees.
You got this :)!
To start off your writing early though you can start posting your work. For example: Webtoons, writing contests, Wattpad, Substack, blogs are some examples where people post their stories etc. A small warning though to please double check if the sites are authentic and that your work will be safe there to avoid your work being plagiarized. Sometimes too this can lead to paid positions in the future.
If you do/can want to go to college, community college is a great start. I started there myself. Community colleges are cheaper for people who already live in that state. I leaned on FAFSA and scholarships. There is no shame if you truly don't want to or can not attend college but I promise there are resources out theres, its just a tough search
Just to preface I don't have experience in that field, but I do write as a hobby. You don't necessarily need a college degree to become a writer or even a professional/published writer. Sometimes people's work/writing is acknowledged without degrees but it is not always an easy, short, or successful route. But it is possible!
It's also possible to take some classes or certifications instead of whole college degrees. These certifications/classes will allow your future resume to reflect your knowledge/education of writing, which allows for more possibilities of jobs in the future.
I do also want to add that if you have the chance to get your Associates in any field you have interest in, I would consider that as well. The job market at this time (2025) is tough and many employers are looking for degrees in their employees.
You got this :)!
Isabel recommends the following next steps:
Jan Dockter
Retired
4
Answers
Winnemucca
Updated
Jan’s Answer
To be a writer you don't have to have a college degree. Depending on what kind of writer you want to be usually takes imagination and a good grasp of English, punctuation, spelling etc...
An example: I was on a job site where a professor wanted someone to write a biography of Alexander the Great and his war campaigns. He wanted 10,000 words. I am a huge history buff and actually could do what he asked. I found a free site that actually had his campaigns with maps etc... I was able to use those. I was still somewhat short of the 10,000 words so I then added a psychological profile on him. It was a fast 100.00. There's a lot of businesses that need bloggers. It helps if you have something to show them, if not then you can show them an example of what you can do. I wish you luck.
An example: I was on a job site where a professor wanted someone to write a biography of Alexander the Great and his war campaigns. He wanted 10,000 words. I am a huge history buff and actually could do what he asked. I found a free site that actually had his campaigns with maps etc... I was able to use those. I was still somewhat short of the 10,000 words so I then added a psychological profile on him. It was a fast 100.00. There's a lot of businesses that need bloggers. It helps if you have something to show them, if not then you can show them an example of what you can do. I wish you luck.
Troy Dyer
3
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Troy’s Answer
It can't hurt if it doesn't take you away from writing...but the greater schooling is: grammar classes and study aids most important; reading the suggestions of the more and less sucessful writers a must; trust your your own intuition, or rush, especially the first minute, a must.