NY Regents Approve Sage’s Professional Writing Degree

Albany and Troy, NY (August 18th, 2008) — The New York State Board of Regents has approved new Bachelor of Science and certificate programs in Professional Writing at The Sage Colleges. Sage is offering the program to working adults and transfer students, as well as traditional students, who want careers as Grant Writers, Technical Writers, Web Content Managers, Editors and Freelance Writers.

“With today’s globally competitive job market, good writing and communication skills are more imporant than ever,” said Penny Perkins, Sage professor of communications. “Good business writing helps communicate a company’s message effectively and clearly, which is vital to the success of any business.”

Within the professional writing studies program, a survey course called “Writing in the Professions” will examine the role of professional writing within different disciplines and fields. “Writing and Presentations” will cover how to think about the writing process to suit tools such as PowerPoint and web-based multimedia, and how to articulate ideas in front of large groups. Other topics include grant writing and beginning and advanced editing and technical writing.”

While the program is available to traditional students, many of the classes are being delivered online in shorter seven-week sessions in order to suit the needs of adult learners who may want to complete their degrees or earn a certificate while working full time.

“This kind of program should be offered by every college because comprehensive writing skills are critical during and after college,” said Charlotte Hays, a graduate of Sage and an outreach specialist for Fidelis Health Care. “Every job description reads, ‘candidate should possess excellent oral and written communication skills,’ and they mean it. Without the writing skills I developed at Sage I would not have been able to get a foot in at my first job and eventually parlay what was basically an administrative position into the professional career I have today.”

About The Sage Colleges
The Sage Colleges is an independent comprehensive university with two four-year undergraduate colleges: Russell Sage College for women in Troy, N.Y and the coeducational Sage College of Albany. Through SCA’s Sage After Work program, working adults with prior college credit can complete the bachelors degree in a flexible schedule and format. The coeducational Sage Graduate School offers master’s and doctoral degrees on both campuses.