The Professional Writing and Communication minor prepares you to become an expert communicator, speaker, and writer. You can use these skills to give you an edge in your professional life; to stand out in law, medical, or graduate school; to help you effectively navigate your relationships with friends and family; and to be an influential voice in your community and faith. The minor is made up of a flexible curriculum that allows you to pick and choose the competencies you want to develop. Graduates of the minor will learn the ancient art of rhetoric, persuasion, and advocacy, and apply this knowledge to communicate powerfully in various settings.
Visit the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to declare your minor in Professional Writing and Communication (PWC).
Contact the PWC coordinator to get started in the program and learn how the minor might help you with your professional goals.
Start with two courses that provide foundational concepts for effective professional communication. These can be taken simultaneously or sequentially.
- English 322: Rhetorical Foundations. Learn how rhetoric--the art of influence-- can help you effectively communicate, influence, and persuade.
- English 302: Writing with Style. In this course, you’ll hone your writing skills at the sentence and paragraph level to develop a flexible, effective writing style for a variety of purposes and situations.
Take three electives across these sub-areas of professional writing and communication that align with your interests and goals.
Professional Writing
- English 323: Professional Writing. Learn professional writing genres. Use design thinking in teams to create a professional writing project for a real client.
- English 394: Applied English/Professional Writing Internship. Deepen your professional communication skills by interning for a local business or organization.
- English 399R: Academic Internship. Intern as a writing consultant in the Research and Writing Center, which builds writing, communication, and leadership skills.
- English 211: Rhetoric and Civilization 1. Discover how rhetoric--the art of persuasion--has shaped ancient history and culture. Learn how this tradition’s competencies can help you see the world differently and communicate effectively.
- English 212: Rhetoric and Civilization 2. Discover how rhetoric--the art of persuasion--has shaped contemporary history and culture. Learn how this tradition’s competencies can help you see the world differently and communicate effectively.
- English 325: Visual Communication. Learn how visual media persuades and influences. Analyze and create visual media such as websites, infographics, videos, posters, and other multimedia.
- English 327: Studies in Rhetoric. Dive deep into a special topic on rhetoric, such as rhetoric and medicine, rhetoric and leadership, and so on. Check the specific course description for the semester you take this course.
- English 335: Professional Speaking. Study classical oratory to prepare and deliver effective oral presentations with well-designed visuals. Learn strategies for managing public speaking anxiety and leading meetings effectively.
- English 399R: Academic Internship. Intern as a writing consultant in the Research and Writing Center, which builds writing, communication, and leadership skills.
- English 326: Digital Communication. Learn how to navigate digital landscapes professionally and personally. Analyze and communicate with digital communication tools such as blogs, podcasts, and other social media.
- English 325: Visual Communication. Learn how visual media persuades and influences. Analyze and create visual media such as websites, infographics, videos, posters, and other multimedia.
Finish with a senior capstone course. Make this your final course in the track.
English 494: Professional Writing and Rhetoric Capstone. Apply foundational concepts from minor coursework to a multimedia or professional writing project for use in a portfolio that serves your career or personal goals.
Questions? Contact the minor advisor, Dr. Jon Balzotti.